Genotropin Patient Counseling Information

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Read these instructions completely before using GoQuick. If you have any questions about your dose or your treatment with Genotropin, call your doctor or nurse.
About GoQuick: GoQuick is a pre-filled, multidose, disposable injection pen that holds 5.3 mg of somatropin. Your pen can deliver doses from 0.1 mg to 1.5 mg of Genotropin. Each click of the black ring changes the dose by 0.05 mg. The Genotropin in your pen is mixed only once, when you start a new pen. You never have to change cartridges. When your pen is empty, you just start a new pen.
Your pen has dose memory. The dose is set once on a new pen. Your pen then allows you to draw up the same set dose for each injection. This will prevent you from drawing more than your set dose.
Important Information: Do not mix the powder and liquid of your pen unless a needle is on your pen.
Do not store your pen with the needle attached. The Genotropin may leak from your pen and air bubbles may form in the cartridge. Always remove the needle and attach your pen cap or needle guard cap before storing.
Take care not to drop your pen. If you drop your pen and any part of it appears broken or damaged, do not use it. Contact your doctor or nurse for another pen. If you drop your pen and it is not damaged or broken, you must perform another prime as described in Step 6 (Setting up and using a new GoQuick Pen).
Clean your pen with a damp cloth. Do not put your pen in water.
Always use a new needle for each injection. Do not share your pen needles.
The volume remaining scale along the side of the cartridge holder is a guide to show the volume of Genotropin left in your pen.
Storage and Disposal: Store your pen in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) in the outer carton to protect from light.
Do not freeze or expose it to frost.
Do not use your pen after its expiry date.
28 days after mixing, throw away (dispose of) your pen even if there is some medicine left.
Follow your local health and safety laws to throw away (dispose of) your pen. Ask your doctor or nurse if you are not sure what to do.
Pen needles are not included with your GoQuick Pen. You will need to get pen needles up to a length of 8 mm from your pharmacy.
Needles to use with your GoQuick Pen: 31G or 32G (Becton, Dickinson and Company), 31G or 32G (Novo Nordisk), 32.5G or 34G (Terumo).
Setting Up and Using a New GoQuick: Step 1. Preparation: Wash and dry your hands.
Gather the following supplies on a clean flat surface: A new GoQuick Pen, A new needle (not included), Suitable sharps container (not included).
Check the expiry date on your pen label. Do not use your pen if the pen has passed its expiry date.
Step 2. Choose Injection Site: Choose and clean an injection site as recommended by your doctor or nurse. Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. Each new injection should be given at least 2 cm from the site you used before.
Avoid areas that are bony, bruised, red, sore or hard, and areas of the skin that have scars or skin conditions.
Step 3. Attach New Needle: Pull the white cap straight off the pen.
Take a new needle and peel off the paper seal.
Gently push and then screw the needle onto your pen. Do not overtighten.
Note: Be careful not to attach the needle at an angle. This may cause your pen to leak.
Leave both needle covers on the needle.
Step 4. Mix the Genotropin: Hold your pen with the needle-end pointing up and the "A" facing you.
Firmly twist the cartridge holder into your pen until "B" clicks into the notch.
Gently tilt your pen from side to side to help dissolve the powder completely. Do not shake. Shaking can damage the growth hormone.
Check that the liquid in the cartridge is clear and all the powder is dissolved.
If the liquid is cloudy or you see any powder, gently tilt your pen from side to side a few more times.
If the liquid is still cloudy or you see any powder, do not use the pen and try again with a new pen.
Step 5. Remove the Air from Your Pen: Pull the outer needle cover off. Keep it to remove the needle after your injection.
Leave the inner needle cover on.
Note: You should see an inner needle cover after you have removed the outer cover. If you do not see this, try to attach the needle again.
Hold your pen with the needle-end pointing up.
Gently tap the cartridge holder to help any trapped air move to the top.
Firmly twist the cartridge holder into your pen until "C" clicks into the notch.
Some liquid may appear around the inner needle cover. This is normal.
Step 6. Prime Your Pen: Priming removes any remaining air by pushing a small amount of liquid out of your pen. The priming dose is 0.1 mg and is different from the dose your doctor or nurse has prescribed.
Only prime your pen the first time you use it.
Pull the inner needle cover off and throw it away.
Caution: Do not touch the needle to avoid a needle stick.
Check that 0.1 mg is set in the memory window.
Turn the grey dial in the direction of the arrows until it stops clicking.
Hold your pen with the needle pointing straight up.
Push the blue injection button all the way in.
Check for liquid at the needle tip. If liquid appears, your pen is primed.
If liquid does not appear, repeat the priming steps up to two additional times.
If liquid still does not appear, do not use your pen. Contact your doctor or nurse for advice.
Step 7. Set and Draw Up Your Dose: The first time you use your pen you will set the dose that your doctor or nurse has prescribed. You do not need to set the dose again until you start a new pen or your doctor or nurse tells you.
Turn the black ring counterclockwise until your dose is lined up with the white pointer in the memory window. Be careful not to turn the grey dial.
If you turn your dose past the white pointer, turn the black ring back to set your correct dose.
Note: If you cannot turn the black ring, press the blue injection button until it stops clicking. Then try and set your dose again. Note that liquid will come out of the needle.
Turn the grey dial in the direction of the arrows until it stops clicking.
Step 8. Check Your Dose: Your dose on the black rod should line up with the white pointer.
Check that the dose you drew up on the black rod is the same as the dose you set in the memory window.
If the doses match, your pen is ready to give your injection.
If the doses do not match, make sure you have turned the grey dial in the direction of the arrows until it does not click anymore.
Step 9. Give Your Injection of Genotropin: Hold your pen over the injection site.
Insert the needle straight into the skin.
Push the blue injection button down until it stops clicking.
Wait for a full 5 seconds to ensure that your complete dose is injected. Keep lightly pressing on the blue injection button while you count.
After 5 seconds, pull the needle straight out of your skin.
Note: If you see a drop of liquid at the injection site or needle tip, then with your next injection try pressing the blue injection button for longer before pulling the needle out of your skin.
Step 10. Remove Needle: Carefully cover the needle with the outer needle cover.
Caution: Do not touch the needle to avoid a needle stick.
Use the needle cover to unscrew the needle.
Throw away (dispose of) the needle in a suitable sharps container.
Push the white cap onto your pen.
Store your pen in the refrigerator until your next injection.
Routine (Daily) Use of GoQuick Pen: Step 1: Preparation: Wash and dry your hands.
Gather the following supplies on a clean flat surface: An already mixed GoQuick Pen, A new needle (not included), Suitable sharps container (not included).
Check the expiry date on your pen label. Do not use your pen if the pen has passed its expiry date.
Do not use your pen 28 days after first use.
Step 2: Choose Injection Site: Choose and clean an injection site as recommended by your doctor or nurse. Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection. Each new injection should be given at least 2 cm from the site you used before.
Avoid areas that are bony, bruised, red, sore or hard, and areas of the skin that have scars or skin conditions.
Step 3: Attach New Needle: Pull the white cap straight off your pen.
Take a new needle and peel off the paper seal.
Gently push and then screw the needle onto your pen. Do not overtighten.
Note: Be careful not to attach the needle at an angle. This may cause your pen to leak.
Remove both needle covers.
Keep the outer needle cover to remove the needle after your injection.
Step 4: Draw Up Your Dose: Turn the grey dial in the direction of the arrows until it stops clicking.
Your dose on the black rod should line up with the white pointer.
Check that the dose you drew up on the black rod is the same as the dose you set in the memory window.
If the doses match, your pen is ready to give your injection.
Note: If the dose you drew up is smaller, your pen does not have a full dose of Genotropin. Follow what your doctor or nurse told you to do when your pen does not have a full dose. Or contact your doctor or nurse for advice.
Step 5: Give Your Injection of Genotropin: Hold your pen over the injection site.
Insert the needle straight into the skin.
Push the blue injection button down until it stops clicking.
Wait for a full 5 seconds to ensure that your complete dose is injected. Keep lightly pressing on the blue injection button while you count.
After 5 seconds, pull the needle straight out of your skin.
Note: If you see a drop of liquid at the injection site or needle tip, then with your next injection try pressing the blue injection button for longer before pulling the needle out of your skin.
Step 6: Remove Needle: Carefully cover the needle with the outer needle cover.
Caution: Do not touch the needle to avoid a needle stick.
Use the needle cover to unscrew the needle.
Throw away (dispose of) the needle in a suitable sharps container.
Push the white cap onto your pen.
Store your pen in the refrigerator until your next injection.
Using the Needle Guard (Optional): The needle guard is an optional feature supplied separately to hide the needle during injection.
Attach the needle guard: Attach the needle guard after Step 5 (Setting up and using a new GoQuick Pen) to avoid a needle stick.
Pull the black cap off the needle guard.
If the needle shield slides out, push it back into the needle guard until it clicks into place.
Line up the black logo on the needle guard with the blue logo on your pen. Carefully push the needle guard onto your pen until it snaps into place.
After Step 6 (Setting up and using a new GoQuick Pen), press the black button to release the shield from the needle guard.
Follow the instructions as described from Step 7 (Setting up and using a new GoQuick Pen).
To remove the needle with needle guard in place: Place the outer needle cover into the end of the needle shield.
Use the outer needle cover to push in the needle shield until it locks into place.
Use the needle cover to unscrew the needle and throw away (dispose of) in a suitable sharps container.
Leave the needle guard on your pen.
Place the black cap on the needle guard. Store your pen in the refrigerator.
To remove the needle guard: Remove the needle first, then gently pull the needle guard off the pen.
Do not throw away the needle guard. It can be used with your next pen.