Type of medicine: diagnostic agent
Generic and brand names: thyrotropin, injection; Thyrogen
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to test thyroid hormone levels and help diagnose thyroid cancer. It may be used with other tests such as scans or blood tests. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Also tell your provider if you have recently had surgery or if you currently have an infection.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
These shots are given by your healthcare provider. Keep all appointments for your shots.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you are also taking thyroid medicine.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine. This medicine may interfere with skin tests and certain lab tests. Tell all healthcare providers that you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Swelling of the ankles or legs, pain or numbness, increased heart rate, seizures, muscle weakness, fever, headache that continues, loss of vision.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, brief headache, diarrhea, dizziness, pain or redness at the injection site, tiredness, trouble sleeping.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
