Quick Answer: Norditropin HGH pens must be stored in the refrigerator before first use. After opening, they can stay at room temperature (below 77°F / 25°C) for up to 21 days. Keep them away from heat, light, and freezing temperatures to ensure effectiveness at home or while traveling.
Norditropin (generic name Somatropin) is a pharmaceutical human growth hormone (HGH) analog used to treat growth hormone deficiencies in children and adults whose bodies don't produce enough natural growth hormone.
Growth hormone is essential for the growth of bones, muscles, and cells. Manufactured HGHs like Norditropin, Genotropin, Nutropin, Omnitrope, or Humatrope are sometimes necessary to treat growth-related conditions like growth hormone deficiency, Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature, and others.
Norditropin is a prescription medicine administered via subcutaneous injections. Like all growth hormones, it's a liquid medication made with biological products that are very sensitive to light and temperature. Therefore, storage conditions are essential for its effectiveness and safety for use.
If you or your child has newly been prescribed Norditropin injections, read this article to ensure you know how to store your medication correctly.
Related article: At what temperatures should you keep refrigerated medications?
Does Norditropin need to be refrigerated?
Norditropin is manufactured by Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical company and is available with the FlexPro Pen. It's a convenient self-injection device designed to simplify the injection process and pain perception.
There are four Norditropin FlexPro pens, each preloaded with a different strength and color-coded for easy identification:
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5 mg / 1.5 mL - Orange pen
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10 mg / 1.5 mL - Blue pen
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15 mg / 1.5 mL - Green pen
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30 mg / 3 mL - Purple pen
Unlike Genotropin, which requires reconstitution (mixing a powder with a diluent) before first use, Norditropin pens come pre-mixed and ready to use. This significantly simplifies both the injection process and storage requirements compared to other HGH products.
According to the manufacturer Norditropin must be stored like this:
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Before first use: Store all Norditropin pens in the refrigerator at a temperature between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
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After first use: Pens can be kept at room temperature, but only if the temperature does not exceed 77°F (25°C).
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Time limit: Once taken out of the refrigerator or after first use, the pen is good for a maximum of 21 days, even if some medication remains inside.
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Unopened pens stored continuously in the refrigerator can be used until the expiration date printed on the label.
Because Norditropin is already in liquid form and does not require mixing, its storage process is simpler than that of reconstituted HGH products. However, proper storage is still critical to maintaining its effectiveness.
How long does Norditropin last out of the fridge?
Once used for the first time or taken out of the fridge, Norditropin lasts for 21 days maximum (if kept at room temperature and protected from high heat and exposure to light).
It means that you must keep track of the date you first used your Norditropin pen or took it out of the fridge. After 21 days, dispose of the pen, even if it still contains medication inside and its expiration date has not passed.
What happens when Norditropin is not refrigerated?
Like most biological products, Norditropin (Somatropin) is a sensitive medicine that quickly deteriorates when not refrigerated. Letting your Norditropin pens out of the fridge for too long or get too hot or too cold decreases the effectiveness of the medication.
You won't be poisoned if you use Norditropin that's been unrefrigerated for too long. But you could be using a human growth hormone that has partially or totally lost its biological potency. Ultimately, it's like getting a lower dose of medicine or no medicine at all, which could significantly reduce the action of your treatment and have severe consequences for your or your child's health.
Related article: How to Travel With Medication That Needs to Be Refrigerated
After the first use, Norditropin pens do not require refrigeration, but proper temperature control is still essential to preserve the medication's effectiveness.
Room Temperature Storage:
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Allowed duration: Up to 21 days.
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Maximum room temperature: 77°F (25°C).
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Important: If the temperature rises above 77°F / 25°C, the medication can degrade quickly and become less effective.
Tip: If you live in or are visiting a warm climate where temperatures often exceed 77°F (25°C), it's strongly recommended to use a portable medical-grade cooler to maintain the pen at a safe temperature.
Optional Refrigeration:
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You can return the pen to the refrigerator after first use to help extend its usability.
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Refrigerated shelf life after first use: Up to 4 weeks.
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Always store refrigerated pens between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C), and never freeze them.
By keeping Norditropin within the recommended temperature range-whether at room temperature for short-term use or in the fridge to prolong shelf life-you ensure it remains safe and effective throughout your treatment.
Related article: All You Need to Know About Nutropin AQ!
What happens if Norditropin freezes?
Freezing can permanently damage Norditropin, rendering it ineffective-even if it thaws later. It's critical to protect your growth hormone pens from any temperatures below 36°F (2°C).
Freezing Risks:
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Do not store Norditropin near the freezer compartment of your fridge.
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Never let it freeze, even temporarily.
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Once frozen, the medication is no longer safe to use-even if it appears unchanged after thawing.
Cold Weather Tips:
If you're in a cold climate or traveling somewhere with low temperatures:
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Keep the pen in an inner pocket close to your body to maintain warmth.
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Never leave it in the car, as temperatures inside can drop quickly.
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Avoid using traditional ice-pack coolers, unless you're certain the pen won't come into direct contact with the ice-this can cause it to freeze.
Pro Tip: Use a temperature-controlled cooler or insulated pouch designed for medications to ensure safe storage in cold environments.
How to travel with Norditropin and Growth hormones
Thanks to the possibility of leaving Norditropin unrefrigerated for up to 21 days, it's one of the most convenient HGH injections to travel with. Indeed, most other brands require constant refrigeration after reconstitution, making traveling with growth hormones challenging.
However, you still have to take some precautions to protect your or your child's Somatropin injections when traveling or away from home.
Related article: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Humatrope Pens.
Tips for traveling with Norditropin pens safely
Here are a few tips to keep your Norditropin safe and effective when traveling:
- If traveling with opened pens, use them within 21 days and keep them protected from temperatures above 77°F / 25°
- Use a medical-grade travel cooler if temperatures are above 77°F / 25°
- Never leave Norditropin pens in the car.
- Store your medicine away from direct sunlight, and always keep the pen cap on.
- If traveling with unopened pens, use a portable travel fridge to keep them refrigerated (see below).
- Always keep your medicine and injection supplies in your carry-on bags if traveling by air.
Growth hormone travel coolers
4AllFamily specializes in designing cooling solutions for people whose lives depend on refrigerated drugs like growth hormones, Norditropin, Genotropin, insulin for diabetes, eye drops, Humira for rheumatoid arthritis, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda, or even vaccines.
Our different portable coolers can keep your Norditropin pens cool and protected from heat or even refrigerated continuously, depending on your needs. For example, our Nomad cooler uses simple bio-gel ice packs, while our most advanced version acts like a real mini-fridge with USB power. They're all TSA-approved for airplane travel.
Should you have any questions or doubts regarding what product would be best for you, do not hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!
Related article: How to travel with injectable medicines and syringes?
📌 Key Takeaways:
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🧊 Store Norditropin pens in the refrigerator (36°F-46°F / 2°C-8°C) before first use to maintain HGH potency.
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🌡️ After opening, pens can stay at room temperature (below 77°F / 25°C) for up to 21 days-track the date!
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🚫 Avoid extreme temperatures-freezing or overheating can destroy the effectiveness of the growth hormone.
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✈️ When traveling, use a medical-grade cooler to protect Norditropin pens from heat or cold.
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🖊️ Norditropin FlexPro pens are pre-mixed and come in 4 strengths, making storage and use simpler than other HGH options.
💬 We'd Love to Hear From You
Have questions about storing Norditropin or traveling with HGH? Faced any challenges keeping your medication safe on the go?We're here to help-and we'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or tips! Drop a comment below or reach out to us directly. Whether you're new to HGH treatment or a seasoned traveler managing your health, your insights could help others too!
📆 Article Update History:
✅ Updated: April 22, 2025
Originally Published: January 23, 2023
