Drug interactions
Prednisone + Somatropin
Severity: Moderate
Prednisone and Somatropin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Glucocorticoids at supraphysiologic doses can blunt the growth-promoting effect of growth hormone. Somatropin also may alter cortisol activation, which can unmask adrenal insufficiency or alter the required glucocorticoid dose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Prednisone and Somatropin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Prednisone belongs to Endocrine; Somatropin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids antagonize growth hormone effects on growth, and growth hormone inhibits 11-beta-HSD-1, which changes cortisol activation.
What to do
Monitor growth velocity in children and reassess glucocorticoid dosing, using the lowest effective prednisone dose. Watch for signs of adrenal insufficiency after starting somatropin.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Somatropin
- Acarbose + Somatropin Moderate
- Albiglutide + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-metformin + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin + Somatropin Moderate
- Betamethasone + Somatropin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Prednisone with Somatropin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Prednisone and Somatropin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Glucocorticoids at supraphysiologic doses can blunt the growth-promoting effect of growth hormone. Somatropin also may alter cortisol activation, which can unmask adrenal insufficiency or alter the required glucocorticoid dose.
How serious is the interaction between Prednisone and Somatropin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor growth velocity in children and reassess glucocorticoid dosing, using the lowest effective prednisone dose. Watch for signs of adrenal insufficiency after starting somatropin.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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