What is Somatropin (HGH)?

The short answer

Somatropin is a protein. In the US, you need a prescription to get Somatropin (HGH).

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What it is

Type
Recombinant growth hormone (protein)
Also known as
human growth hormone, growth hormone, genotropin, norditropin, somatotropin
How it works
Replaces growth hormone.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved (Rx) How we label status

As of October 4, 2026, Somatropin (HGH) is an FDA-approved prescription drug for growth hormone deficiency and other growth disorders; wasting or cachexia in adults with HIV (Serostim, with antiretroviral therapy required), to increase lean body mass and total body mass and improve physical endurance.

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Federal (FDA)
Approved Rx (multiple BLAs; e.g. Genotropin, Norditropin)
503A compounding
Approved-drug component (not in any 503A category) (as of May 14, 2026)
WADA 2026
S2.2.3

References

Sources as of October 4, 2026

  1. DailyMed: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm (1 of 3)
  2. DailyMed: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm (2 of 3)
  3. DailyMed: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm (3 of 3)
  4. WADA: www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf