No Proven Growth Effect... Prescriptions Quadrupled and Side Effects Increased Fivefold Over 5 Years

Number of Adverse Event Reports Surges with Prescription Volume
"No Effect Unless No Related Disease and Not in Bottom 3%"
MFDS "Working to Prevent Misuse"

Photo unrelated to the article. Source=Pixabay

Prescriptions for growth hormone injections, commonly known as "height-increasing shots," have surged over the past five years, raising calls for consumer caution.

According to data obtained on the 10th by the office of Kim Nam-hee, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, prescriptions for growth hormone injections increased significantly from 55,075 cases in 2018 to 247,541 cases in 2023. Reviewing the number of reported adverse cases by year, there were 436 cases in 2019, 660 in 2020, 1,189 in 2021, and 1,603 in 2022. Notably, in 2023, the number rose to 1,626 cases, more than three times that of 2019.

Originally, growth hormone drugs are prescribed for pediatric growth failure caused by secretion disorders, Turner syndrome, and growth disorders in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). Although popularly known as "height-increasing shots," excessive long-term administration to healthy individuals carries risks of side effects such as acromegaly, edema, and joint pain. Experts also advise that administering growth hormone injections to children who are growing normally is inappropriate. Furthermore, according to the "Medical Technology Reassessment Report ? Growth Hormone Treatment for Height Growth in Children and Adolescents" by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, treatment shows no effect unless the child has a disease related to short stature or is among the shortest 3% in height.

Additionally, the number of reported adverse cases increased approximately fourfold from 318 in 2018 to 1,626 in 2023. In particular, serious adverse cases involving infections and parasitic infections, various neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders have risen sharply. As of June this year, 81 serious adverse cases had been reported, already exceeding half of last year's total. Lawmaker Kim Nam-hee stated, "There is suspicion of misuse of height-increasing shots," and added, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should take greater responsibility in monitoring and assessing the actual situation of non-reimbursed prescriptions for drugs with high misuse potential." In response, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, "We are producing and distributing informational leaflets on the safe use of growth hormone preparations and are working to ensure consumer safety by jointly inspecting exaggerated advertisements with local governments to prevent misuse."