Quick Answer: Yes, Genotropin (Somatropin) must be refrigerated to maintain its effectiveness. After mixing, it becomes unstable and should be stored between 36°F and 46°F. Improper storage-especially exposure to heat or freezing-can degrade the hormone and reduce its therapeutic effect.

Growth hormone therapy is the most common treatment for growth hormone deficiency in children and adults. While there are different hGH analogs, Genotropin (somatropin) is one of the most prescribed in the United States.

Once your doctor prescribes you or your child with Genotropin growth hormone injections, the pharmacist will deliver Genotropin cartridges for compatible reusable or disposable subcutaneous injection devices.

But Genotropin is a temperature-sensitive biological product that requires specific storage conditions. Therefore, knowing how to store Genotropin at home correctly is critical for a successful therapy.

So, let's focus on that point for now and make sure you're all mastering your new drug's storage instructions!

4AllFamily USA Travel coolers for injectable medicines

Related article: Growth Hormone Injections: A Comparison of Different Brands

What is Genotropin?

Genotropin is a human growth hormone (HGH) analog (recombinant human growth hormone or biosynthetic human growth hormone). It's a manufactured copy of our natural growth hormone called somatotropin and produced in the pituitary glands.

Genotropin's active ingredient is Somatropin. It's been on the market for over 35 years and is officially FDA-approved medication for the treatment of various growth disorders in both children and adults, including:

Genotropin (somatropin) is self-administered by the patient (or the parents in the case of children) via subcutaneous injections (into a muscle or under the skin). Most of the time, it's injected daily, although the frequency and dosage depend on your condition and your doctor's prescription.

There are two main injections devices for Genotropin:

  • The Genotropin GoQuick injector pen that contains multi-dose injections with a digital display and can be refilled with cartridges.
  • The Genotropin MiniQuick prefilled disposable syringe that contains one dose of medicine.

Does Genotropin need to be refrigerated?

Yes, Genotropin (like other human growth hormones such as Norditropin, Omnitrope, Humatrope, Nutropin, Saizen, and Serostim) is a biological product. That means it's highly sensitive to environmental conditions-especially light and temperature.

To maintain its effectiveness and safety, Genotropin must be stored under specific conditions.

Whether or not you should refrigerate Genotropin depends on:

  • The injection device you're using (GoQuick pen or MiniQuick).

  • Whether the medication has been reconstituted (i.e., the powder and diluent have been mixed).

  • If the diluent contains preservatives (some do, some don't).

Genotropin is delivered in two-chamber cartridges, with:

  • Somatropin powder in one chamber.

  • Liquid diluent in the other.

Because not all diluents contain preservatives, storage instructions can vary.

💡 Always read the label and consult your pharmacist if you're unsure. Proper refrigeration is not just a recommendation-it's essential to make sure your treatment works as intended and supports your health effectively.

Related article: At what temperatures should you keep refrigerated medications?

Genotropin GoQuick Pen Refrigeration

According to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Genotropin, Genotropin GoQuick Pens (5 mg green pen and 12 mg purple pen) must be refrigerated.

The pens come with disposable multi-dose two-chamber cartridges. Prior to first use, the Genotropin is in a powder form in the top chamber of the cartridge while the diluent is in the bottom chamber.

Once you insert the cartridge into the pen for injection and start the pen, the medicine is mixed. Therefore, from now on, it must be refrigerated between injections and used within 28 days max. After 28 days, you must throw away the cartridge, even if there is still Genotropin inside.

Refrigeration temperatures for Genotropin must be between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C).Make sure the temperature inside your refrigerator is neither too high nor too low, as freezing could also destroy your medicine.

Genotropin MiniQuick Refrigeration

The Genotropin MiniQuick injection device is a disposable and prefilled syringe for single use (one dose only). It's pre-measured according to your doctor's prescription and comes in a 7-day supply package.

Like the Genotropin reusable pens, the MiniQuick device contains a 2-chamber cartridge (but it's not replaceable) with Genotropin powder in one chamber and the liquid diluent in the other. The medicine is automatically mixed when you prepare the MiniQuick syringe for your injection.

According to the manufacturer, here's how you should store and refrigerate your Genotropin MiniQuick devices:

  • Before mixing the growth hormone powder, you can store Genotropin MiniQuick devices in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F / 2°C and 8°C) or at room temperature (between 68°Fand 77°F / 20°C and 25°C) for up to 3 months.
  • Once Genotropin powder has been mixed with its diluent, it becomes unstable and must be injected immediately. If not, you must keep it refrigerated (between 36°F and 46°F / 2°C and8°C) and use it within 24 hours maximum.

Related article: How to Travel With Medication That Needs to Be Refrigerated

How long does Somatropin last in the fridge?

Somatropin is the active ingredient sold under the brand name Genotropin. When delivered at the pharmacy, it comes in a 2-chamber container with a powder in one chamber and a diluent in the other.

How long Somatropin or Genotropin can last in the fridge depends on whether they've been mixed with the diluent or not. Simply put:

  • Prior to mixing, Genotropin (or somatropin) can last up to 3 months in a refrigerator (or until the expiration date) or one month at room temperature.
  • After reconstitution (mixing), Genotropin (or somatropin) can last 24 hours in the refrigerator with a MiniQuick device or 28 days in the fridge with the GoQuick pen device. The difference is that the MiniQuick device does not contain any preservatives, whereas the pen does.

What happens if Genotropin is not refrigerated?

While injecting Genotropin that has not been refrigerated should not poison you, it may have severe consequences for your or your child's health. The main risk is that you'd be injecting a growth hormone with little or no effect.

Indeed, letting human growth hormones get too hot or too long (freezing temperatures) over extended periods of time decreases their effectiveness.

Related article: How to Ship Insulin & Refrigerated Medications?

How long can Genotropin stay out of the fridge?

Again, how long you can leave your Genotropin unrefrigerated depends on your device (GoQuick pen or MiniQuick) and the state of the medicine (reconstituted or not). However, here are the main guidelines:

Genotropin cartridges for GoQuick Pens:

Before first use (reconstitution), the cartridges must be stored in their outer carton (so they're protected from light):

  • in the refrigerator until their expiration date;
  • or at room temperature (maximum 77°C / 25°C) for a maximum of one month.

After reconstitution (mixing), the GoQuick Pen Genotropin cartridges must be stored:

  • in the refrigerator for up to 28 days max

Genotropin MiniQuick devices:

Before reconstitution, the prefilled Genotropin MiniQuick injection devices can last up to 3 months out of the refrigerator at room temperature (maximum 77°C / 25°C).

However, once the solution has been reconstituted (mixed), the somatropin inside becomes very unstable as there's no preservative. Therefore, it should be injected immediately or kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours. It cannot be left unrefrigerated.

How to tell if Genotropin has gone bad?

If stored properly according to the manufacturer's instructions-especially by keeping it refrigerated-Genotropin should remain stable and effective.

Once mixed, Genotropin should appear as a clear, colorless solution. Do not use it if you notice any of the following:

  • Cloudiness

  • Color changes

  • Visible particles or sediment

These are signs the medicine may have degraded and should not be used. In that case, contact your pharmacist for a replacement.

💡 Remember: Improper storage, especially exposure to heat or freezing temperatures, can cause Genotropin to go bad-even if it looks fine. Always store it as directed to protect your treatment.

Never use Genotropin past its expiration date on the label.

Do not use it if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles. Instead, call your pharmacist for new medicine. Throw away any Genotropin left over after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Related article: How to travel with syringes and injectable drugs?

How to keep Genotropin cool while traveling?

Traveling with refrigerated medications like Genotropin or other human growth hormones can be challenging. But your medical condition and treatment should never be a break to living your life the way you want.

Hundreds of thousands of people travel daily with chronic health conditions requiring refrigerated drugs. They're doing just fine with a few tips and the right accessories!

When traveling with Genotropin, you must ensure it's kept refrigerated at all times, especially if it has been reconstituted and you're using the GoQuick multi-dose pen.

4AllFamily USA Travel coolers for Somatropin and refrigerated drugs

📌 Key Takeaways:

  • ❄️ Genotropin (Somatropin) must be refrigerated to maintain its effectiveness-especially after mixing (reconstitution).

  • 💉 Storage depends on the device: GoQuick pens last 28 days in the fridge after mixing; MiniQuick doses last only 24 hours once prepared.

  • 📦 Before mixing, Genotropin can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 months or at room temperature (max 25°C) for 1 month.

  • ⚠️ Improper storage (heat or freezing) can degrade the hormone and make it ineffective.

  • 👀 Do not use Genotropin if it's cloudy, discolored, or has particles-these are signs it may have gone bad.

💬 We'd Love to Hear From You!Have any questions about storing Genotropin or tips from your own experience? Whether you're new to growth hormone therapy or a seasoned pro, your thoughts matter. Drop a comment below or reach out to us directly-we're here to support you every step of the way!

📆 Article Update History:

Updated: April 22, 2025

Originally Published: April 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

Comments

4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:

Hi Elisabeth,
Once your Genotropin go quick pen has been started (mixed), it must be refrigerated between injections and used within 28 days max. To bring it on a long flight, we recommend using one of our travel fridges, like the Pioneer or others that can perform fridge temperatures.
Do not hesitate to reach out to our support team if needed,
Warm regards,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team

Elisabetta Basile said:

Hi, what options do you have for Genotropin 5 mg go quick pen to bring it on long flight? Thank you

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The information presented in this article and its comment section is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions you may have.