The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has distributed informational materials on the safe use of growth hormone preparations and is collaborating with local governments to monitor excessive advertising by medical institutions and pharmacies. (Image courtesy of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – A surge in the misuse of growth hormone injections, often mischaracterized as “height-increasing shots,” has led to a sharp increase in adverse effects, prompting calls for urgent measures to curb their overuse, according to a report released by a South Korean lawmaker on October 10.
Representative Jeon Jin-sook of the Democratic Party, citing data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, revealed that reported cases of adverse reactions to growth hormone injections have more than tripled over the past five years, from 436 cases in 2019 to 1,626 in 2023.
The data shows a consistent year-over-year increase in adverse event reports: 660 in 2020, 1,189 in 2021, and 1,603 in 2022. More alarmingly, reports of severe adverse reactions have also spiked, with 113 cases reported in 2023, compared to only 33 in 2019.
Common side effects included injection site reactions, viral infections, skin disorders, and neurological issues. More severe cases involved pneumonia, seizures, syncope, and musculoskeletal disorders.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety cautioned that while these adverse events have been reported, a direct causal relationship with growth hormone injections has not been definitively established.
Concurrently, prescriptions for growth hormone treatments have seen a significant uptick, rising from 190,001 in 2022 to 247,541 in 2023. By June 2024, the number had already reached 124,997.
Jeon emphasized the need for a thorough analysis of the reasons behind the increase in side effects from growth hormone injections.
Medical experts stress that growth hormone injections are intended for patients with growth disorders and are not appropriate for children developing normally. Despite this, the injections have gained popularity as a means to increase height, leading to unnecessary prescriptions and potential health risks.
In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has distributed informational materials on the safe use of growth hormone preparations and is collaborating with local governments to monitor excessive advertising by medical institutions and pharmacies.
“Growth hormone preparations prescribed for conditions such as Turner syndrome, growth hormone deficiency, and short stature can cause side effects like acromegaly, edema, and joint pain if administered in large doses to healthy individuals over long periods,” a ministry official warned.
“However, these preparations are often mistakenly promoted as ‘height-increasing injections,’ leading to unnecessary prescriptions.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
