Generic Name: mecasermin (ME ka SER min)
Brand Names: Increlex
What is mecasermin?
Mecasermin is a man-made form of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a substance that is normally produced in the body. IGF-1 is important for the growth of bones and muscles.
Mecasermin is used to treat growth failure in children whose bodies do not make enough IGF-1.
Mecasermin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about mecasermin?
Your child should not use this medication if he or she is allergic to mecasermin, or if the child has cancer or has finished growing and his or her bone growth plates are closed. Mecasermin is not for use in children who have growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, underactive thyroid, or those who are taking long-term steroid medications.
Before your child receives mecasermin, tell the doctor if your child has diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, a curved spine (scoliosis), or if the child has ever had an allergic reaction to a preservative called benzyl alcohol.
Mecasermin is injected under the skin. You and your child may be shown how to use injections at home. Make sure you fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Do not give this medication as an IV injection directly into a vein. Use a different place on your child's upper arm, thigh, stomach, or buttocks each time you give your child a mecasermin injection. Give the mecasermin injection 20 minutes before or after the child eats a meal or snack. Skip the dose if the child's meal or snack will be missed. Mecasermin can cause low blood sugar, which may be worse if the child does not eat before or after the injection. Call your doctor at once if your child has a serious side effect such as blurred vision, headache or pain behind the eyes (sometimes with vomiting), pain in the hip or knee, walking with a limp, seizures, or swollen tonsils (snoring, breathing problems during sleep, ear pain, feeling of fullness in the ears, muffled hearing). Mecasermin can cause side effects that may impair thinking, reactions, or physical abilities. The child should avoid driving or doing anything else that requires alertness or coordination for the first 2 or 3 hours after a mecasermin injection.
Take care not to let your child's blood sugar get too low while using mecasermin. Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using mecasermin?
Your child should not use this medication if he or she is allergic to mecasermin, or if the child has cancer or has finished growing and his or her bone growth plates are closed. Mecasermin is not for use in children who have growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, underactive thyroid, or those who are taking long-term steroid medications.
If your child has any of these other conditions, he or she may need a dose adjustment or special tests:
diabetes;
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a curved spine (scoliosis); or
a history of allergic reaction to a preservative called benzyl alcohol.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether mecasermin will harm an unborn baby. This medication should not be used during pregnancy without the advice of a doctor. It is not known whether mecasermin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. This medication should not be used while breast-feeding a baby without the advice of a doctor.
How should I use mecasermin?
Mecasermin is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give your child this injection. You and your child will be shown how to inject the medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Do not give this medication as an IV injection directly into a vein.
Use a different place on your child's upper arm, thigh, stomach, or buttocks each time you give your child a mecasermin injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your child's body where to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Your doctor may occasionally change your child's dose to make sure your child gets the best results. The doctor may also want you to check the child's blood sugar before meals until the correct dose is determined.
Mecasermin is usually given twice per day. Give the mecasermin injection 20 minutes before or after the child eats a meal or snack. Skip the dose if the child's meal or snack will be missed. Mecasermin can cause low blood sugar, which may be worse if the child does not eat before or after the injection.
Take care not to let your child's blood sugar get too low while using mecasermin. Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:
hunger, weakness, nausea, irritability, tremors;
drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision;
confusion, trouble concentrating;
sweating, fast heartbeat;
seizure (convulsions); or
fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).
Always keep a source of sugar available in case your child has symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If your child has severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.
Call your doctor if hypoglycemia symptoms do not get better after eating or drinking a sugar source.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your child will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Store new unopened vials (bottles) of mecasermin in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any mecasermin that has become frozen.
Once you have opened a vial and started using it, the medication will keep for up to 30 days if stored in the refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Be sure the child receives a meal or snack either 20 minutes before or after the injection. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of mecasermin can cause hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid while using mecasermin?
Mecasermin can cause side effects that may impair thinking, reactions, or physical abilities. The child should avoid driving or doing anything else that requires alertness or coordination for the first 2 or 3 hours after a mecasermin injection.
Mecasermin side effects
Get emergency medical help if your child has any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your child's face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if your child has a serious side effect such as:
blurred vision, severe headache or pain behind the eyes, sometimes with vomiting;
pain in the hip or knee, walking with a limp;
seizure (convulsions); or
swollen tonsils-snoring, breathing problems during sleep, pain or fullness in your ear, hearing problems.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness;
joint pain;
thickening of facial skin;
easy bruising; or
pain, redness, bruising, or skin changes where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect mecasermin?
Tell your doctor about all other medications your child uses, especially insulin or diabetes medications your child takes by mouth.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with mecasermin. Tell your doctor about all medications your child uses. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Increlex resources
- Increlex Side Effects (in more detail)
- Increlex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Increlex Drug Interactions
- Increlex Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Increlex - Add your own review/rating
- Increlex Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Increlex Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Increlex Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Increlex Consumer Overview
- Increlex MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Mecasermin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Increlex with other medications
- Primary IGF-1 Deficiency
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about mecasermin.
See also: Increlex side effects (in more detail)
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