mecasermin, a biological response modifier and insulin-like growth factor. ▪ INDICATIONS: This drug is used to treat growth failure in children with severe primary insulin-like growth factor–1 deficiency or with growth hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to GH. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Known hypersensitivity to this drug or benzyl alcohol, closed epiphyses, active or suspected neoplasia, and IV use prohibit its use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Adverse effects of this drug include headache, dizziness, cardiac valvulopathy, cardiac murmur, ear pain, otitis media, abnormal tympanometry, papilledema, visual impairment, vomiting, thymus hypertrophy, hypoglycemia, bruising, lipohypertrophy, hypersensitivity reactions, arthralgia, joint pain, snoring, and tonsillar hypertrophy. Life-threatening side effects include seizures, hypoglycemia, ketosis, hypothyroidism, apnea, and antibodies to growth hormone.
