PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Novo Nordisk announced the availability of the Norditropin (somatropin [rDNA origin] injection) NordiFlex 30 mg/3 mL, the only prefilled, preloaded pen that allows children who need a dose of growth hormone larger than 4.5 mg to take one injection instead of two. The pen holds twice the volume of, and has a higher maximum dose than, the 15 mg Norditropin NordiFlex pen, offering a more convenient option for patients who require a growth hormone dose up to 6.0 mg. To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/novonordisk/39609/ Growth hormone deficiency exists when growth hormone, which regulates growth in children, is absent or produced in inadequate amounts. Children with growth hormone deficiency are abnormally small for their age, grow slowly, and may have immature facial features and abdominal obesity.(i) In the United States, 18,000 to 20,000 children receive recombinant growth hormone to treat growth failure.(ii) "Life for children with growth hormone deficiency can be difficult," said Dianne Andrews, Executive Director of the MAGIC Foundation. "Teachers may treat them as though they are younger or they may be teased by their peers. Options to make treatment smooth can really help, such as the Norditropin NordiFlex 30 mg pen that's easy to handle and convenient." The Norditropin NordiFlex 30 mg/3 mL prefilled pen was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year and is now available. The dose can be adjusted up or down as needed in 0.1 mg increments up to 6.0 mg. "Solutions that allow for more convenient use ultimately help make life easy for the patient," said Dr. Mark Sperling, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. "The Norditropin NordiFlex 30 mg/3 mL prefilled pen allows the patient or parent to adjust the dose increments." The Norditropin NordiFlex pens can be used with NovoFine 30-gauge, NovoFine Autocover 30-gauge, and NovoFine 32-gauge Tip needles. A prescription for needles is needed in some states. Norditropin NordiFlex is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk Health Care AG. About the MAGIC Foundation The MAGIC Foundation is a national nonprofit organization created to provide support services for the families of children afflicted with a wide variety of chronic and/or critical disorders, syndromes, and diseases that affect a child's growth. About Norditropin Norditropin (somatropin [rDNA origin] injection) is used to treat children with growth failure caused by very low or no production of growth hormone. It is also used to treat children who have short stature associated with Noonan syndrome and Turner syndrome, for treatment of children with short stature born small for gestational age with no catch-up growth by age 2-4 years, and to treat adults who do not make enough growth hormone. Important Safety Information Remember, your doctor is the main source of information about you and your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health or your medication. Do not use Norditropin if you have any of the following conditions: an allergy to phenol or any other ingredients in the medicine; active cancer or other forms of tumor; acute critical illness due to certain types of heart or abdomen surgery, trauma, or acute respiratory failure. Children should not use somatropin if they have any of the following conditions: closed epiphyses (closed bone growth plates), Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity, upper airway obstruction or sleep apnea, or Prader-Willi syndrome with significant respiratory impairment. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes mellitus; have had cancer or other forms of tumor; are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or are breastfeeding; or if you have had a kidney transplant. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking especially if they are: a glucocorticoid medication such as hydrocortisone or cortisone acetate, thyroid hormone, insulin and/or oral diabetes medicines, drugs metabolized by the liver (for example, corticosteroids, sex steroids, anticonvulsants, cyclosporine), or oral estrogen replacement. Adult height can be influenced if you are on Norditropin for growth failure and at the same time using glucocorticoids or thyroid hormone. If you are treated with insulin and/or oral diabetes medicines, the dose of your insulin/oral diabetes medicines may need to be adjusted. Side effects are usually mild and temporary. Side effects may include headaches, muscle pain, joint stiffness, weakness, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), sugar in your urine (glucosuria), swollen hands and feet due to fluid retention, and redness and itching in the area you inject. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. If you have headaches, eyesight problems, nausea and/or vomiting, these may be symptoms of raised pressure in the brain. Contact your doctor right away. In very rare cases children treated with somatropin have experienced pain in the hip or knee or a limp. These symptoms may be caused by a slippage of the growth plate in the hip (slipped capital femoral epiphysis). Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) can occur in children who experience rapid growth. Because growth hormone increases growth rate, children should be monitored for progression of scoliosis. Thyroid function tests should be performed periodically. Skin lesions should be checked carefully for any unusual changes. Somatropin treatment can increase the chances of developing middle ear infections in patients with Turner syndrome. Congenital heart disease is a common finding in Noonan syndrome and patients should be closely monitored. Talk to your doctor if you think you have any of these conditions. For full prescribing information, visit http://www.norditropin-us.com/. About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 86-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 27,000 employees in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com/. References i. Rieser PA et al. Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Publication of the Human Growth Foundation. 1979. ii. Mulligan et al. Growth monitoring testing the new guidelines. Arch Dis Child 1998; 79 (4): 318-22. http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/novonordisk/39609DATASOURCE: Novo Nordisk CONTACT: Media: Ambre Morley, +1-609-514-8400, or Investors: Hans Rommer, +1-609-919-7937 Web Site: http://novonordisk.com/

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