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SOMAVERT

Generic: pegvisomant

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Pfizer
NDC
0009-7168
RxCUI
403806
ICD-10 indication
E22.0

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About SOMAVERT

What is this medication? Somavert is a prescription medication known as a growth hormone receptor antagonist that is used to treat a condition called acromegaly. This condition occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone, often due to a non-cancerous tumor on the pituitary gland, leading to excessive bone and tissue growth. This medication is typically prescribed for adult patients who have not responded adequately to other treatments such as surgery or radiation, or for those who are unable to undergo these types of procedures.

The medication works by blocking the action of growth hormone at the cellular level, which prevents the hormone from triggering the production of insulin-like growth factor-I. By lowering the levels of this growth factor in the blood, Somavert helps to manage the symptoms of acromegaly and reduces the growth of bones and soft tissues. It is administered via an injection under the skin and requires regular monitoring of liver function and growth factor levels by a healthcare professional to ensure effectiveness and safety.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: Pay as little as $5 per month
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Up to $20,000
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Eligibility required; State and Federal beneficiaries (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid) are not eligible; offer not valid for cash-paying patients.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for SOMAVERT. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Dec 18, 2025

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SOMAVERT is indicated for the treatment of acromegaly in patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery or radiation therapy, or for whom these therapies are not appropriate. The goal of treatment is to normalize serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. SOMAVERT is a growth hormone receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of acromegaly in patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery or radiation therapy, or for whom these therapies are not appropriate. The goal of treatment is to normalize serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer a 40 mg loading dose subcutaneously under physician supervision. ( 2.1 ) • After proper injection instruction, on day after loading dose, patients or caregivers begin daily subcutaneous injections of 10 mg. ( 2.1 ) • Adjust dosage in 5 mg increments or decrements until serum IGF-1 concentrations are maintained within age-adjusted normal range. Do not adjust dosage based on growth hormone (GH) levels or signs or symptoms of acromegaly. ( 2.1 ) • Dosage range is 10 mg to 30 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) • Perform liver tests prior to first dosage and if greater than 3 times upper limit of normal should work-up prior to SOMAVERT administration. ( 2.2 ) • Follow reconstitution and injection procedures. ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) 2.1 Dosage Information The recommended loading dose of SOMAVERT is 40 mg given subcutaneously, under healthcare provider supervision. Provide proper training in subcutaneous injection technique to patients or their caregivers so they can receive once daily subcutaneous injections. On the next day following the loading dose, instruct patients or their caregivers to begin daily subcutaneous injections of 10 mg of SOMAVERT. Titrate the dosage to normalize serum IGF-1 concentrations (serum IGF-1 concentrations should be measured every four to six weeks). The dosage should not be based on growth hormone (GH) concentrations or signs and symptoms of acromegaly. It is unknown whether patients who remain symptomatic while achieving normalized IGF-1 concentrations would benefit from increased SOMAVERT dosage. • Increase the dosage by 5 mg increments every 4–6 weeks if IGF-1 concentrations are elevated. • Decrease the dosage by 5 mg decrements every 4–6 weeks if IGF-1 concentrations are below the normal range. • IGF-1 levels should also be monitored when a SOMAVERT dose given in multiple injections is converted to a single daily injection [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) ] . The recommended dosage range is between 10 mg to 30 mg given subcutaneously once daily and the maximum daily dosage is 30 mg given subcutaneously once daily. 2.2 Assess Liver Tests Prior to Initiation of SOMAVERT Prior to the start of SOMAVERT, patients should have an assessment of baseline levels of liver tests [serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum total bilirubin (TBIL), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)]. For recommendations regarding initiation of SOMAVERT based on baseline liver tests and recommendations for monitoring of liver tests while on SOMAVERT, refer to Table 1 in Warning and Precautions (5.2) . 2.3 Loading Dose Injection Procedure The following instructions are for the healthcare provider to reconstitute and prepare the 40 mg loading dose. The healthcare provider will need to reconstitute 2 vials of lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT each containing 20 mg of pegvisomant with supplied diluent [two vials of lyophilized powder and two syringes containing 1 mL of diluent (Sterile Water for Injection, USP) will be needed for the 40 mg loading dose]. The healthcare provider will also need to inject the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution twice into the patient's upper arm, upper thigh, abdomen, or buttocks (each injection in a different area). a) Before administering the loading dose, remove 1 vial of lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT containing 20 mg of pegvisomant and one syringe containing 1 mL of diluent from the refrigerator, if refrigerated, about 10 minutes prior to the planned injection time. b) Reconstitute the first 20 mg vial of lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT containing 20 mg of pegvisomant with diluent. When using the diluent in the syringe, inject the contents of the syringe slowly onto the sides of the vial containing lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT. Do not inject the diluent directly on the powder. c) Do not invert the vial or shake the solution as this may cause denaturation of the pegvisomant protein. Slowly swirl the solution to ensure that all of the lyophilized powder has gone into solution. If foaming of the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution is seen, the solution is likely damaged and therefore inappropriate to inject. d) Visually inspect the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The reconstituted solution should be clear. If the solution is cloudy, do not use it. Once reconstituted, the solution will contain 20 mg of pegvisomant in 1 mL of solution. e) Withdraw the 1 mL reconstituted SOMAVERT solution. The solution must be administered immediately after reconstitution. f) Inject the first reconstituted SOMAVERT solution (20 mg/mL) subcutaneously into the patient's upper arm, upper thigh, abdomen, or buttocks using a 90-degree angle. g) Repeat steps (a) to (e) to reconstitute the second SOMAVERT dose of 20mg. h) Finally, inject the second reconstituted SOMAVERT solution (20 mg/mL) subcutaneously into the patient's upper arm, upper thigh, abdomen, or buttocks using a 90-degree angle (different area than the first injection). 2.4 Maintenance Dose Injection Procedure For patient or caregiver instructions for reconstitution and administration of daily doses (10 mg to 30 mg), see the Patient's Instructions for Use . a) Before administering the dose, remove 1 vial of lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT containing 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg or 30 mg of pegvisomant and one syringe containing 1 mL of diluent from the refrigerator, if refrigerated, about 10 minutes prior to the planned injection time. b) Reconstitute the lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT with diluent. When using the diluent in the 2.25 mL syringe, inject the contents of the syringe slowly onto the sides of the vial containing lyophilized powder of SOMAVERT. Do not inject the diluent directly on the powder. c) Do not invert the vial or shake the solution as this may cause denaturation of the pegvisomant protein. Slowly swirl the solution to ensure that all of the lyophilized powder has gone into solution. If foaming of the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution is seen, the solution is likely damaged and therefore inappropriate to inject. d) Visually inspect the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The reconstituted solution should be clear. If the solution is cloudy, do not use it. Once reconstituted, the solution will contain 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg or 30 mg of pegvisomant in 1 mL of solution. e) Withdraw the 1 mL reconstituted SOMAVERT solution. The solution must be administered immediately after reconstitution. f) Inject the reconstituted SOMAVERT solution subcutaneously into the upper arm, upper thigh, abdomen, or buttocks using a 90-degree angle.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Hypoglycemia : Monitor blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus and reduce anti-diabetic drug therapy as necessary. ( 5.1 ) • Liver Toxicity: Should have more frequent liver tests and/or discontinue SOMAVERT. ( 5.2 ) • Systemic Hypersensitivity : Monitor closely when re-initiating SOMAVERT in patients with systemic hypersensitivity. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Hypoglycemia Associated With GH Lowering in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus GH opposes the effects of insulin on carbohydrate metabolism by decreasing insulin sensitivity; thus, glucose tolerance may improve in some patients treated with SOMAVERT. Patients should be carefully monitored and doses of anti-diabetic drugs reduced as necessary to avoid hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus. 5.2 Liver Toxicity Baseline serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum total bilirubin (TBIL), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels should be obtained prior to initiating therapy with SOMAVERT. Table 1 lists recommendations regarding initiation of treatment with SOMAVERT, based on the results of these liver tests (LTs). Asymptomatic, transient elevations in transaminases up to 15 times ULN have been observed in <2% of subjects among two open-label trials (with a total of 147 patients). These reports were not associated with an increase in bilirubin. Transaminase elevations normalized with time, most often after suspending treatment. Postmarketing reports have identified elevations in serum hepatic transaminases up to greater than 20 times ULN associated with elevation in total bilirubin greater than 2 times ULN. In many of these cases, discontinuation of SOMAVERT therapy resulted in improvement or resolution of hepatic laboratory abnormalities. SOMAVERT should be used in accordance with the information presented in Table 2 with respect to liver test abnormalities while on SOMAVERT treatment. Table 1. Recommendations of Initiating SOMAVERT Based on Baseline LTs and Periodic Monitoring of LTs During SOMAVERT Treatment Baseline LT Levels Recommendations Normal • May treat with SOMAVERT. • Monitor LTs at monthly intervals during the first 6 months of treatment, quarterly for the next 6 months and then bi-annually for the next year. Elevated, but less than or equal to 3 times ULN May treat with SOMAVERT; however, monitor LTs monthly for at least one year after initiation of therapy and then bi-annually for the next year. Greater than 3 times ULN • Do not treat with SOMAVERT until a comprehensive workup establishes the cause of the patient's liver dysfunction. • Determine if cholelithiasis or choledocholithiasis is present, particularly in patients with a history of prior therapy with somatostatin analogs. • Based on the workup, consider initiation of therapy with SOMAVERT. • If the decision is to treat, LTs and clinical symptoms should be monitored very closely. If a patient develops LT elevations, or any other signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction while receiving SOMAVERT, the following patient management is recommended (Table 2). Table 2. Clinical Recommendations Based on Liver Test Results While on SOMAVERT LT Levels and Clinical Signs/Symptoms Recommendations Greater than or equal to 3 but less than 5 times ULN (without signs/symptoms of hepatitis or other liver injury, or increase in serum TBIL) • May continue therapy with SOMAVERT. However, monitor LTs weekly to determine if further increases occur (see below). • Perform a comprehensive hepatic workup to discern if an alternative cause of liver dysfunction is present. At least 5 times ULN, or transaminase elevations at least 3 times ULN associated with any increase in serum TBIL (with or without signs/symptoms of hepatitis or other liver injury) • Discontinue SOMAVERT immediately. • Perform a comprehensive hepatic workup, including serial LTs, to determine if and when serum levels return to normal. • If LTs normalize (regardless of whether an alternative cause of the liver dysfunction is discovered), consider cautious re-initiation of therapy with SOMAVERT, with frequent LT monitoring. Signs or symptoms suggestive of hepatitis or other liver injury (e.g., jaundice, bilirubinuria, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, ascites, unexplained edema, easy bruisability) • Immediately perform a comprehensive hepatic workup. • If liver injury is confirmed, SOMAVERT should be discontinued. 5.3 Cross-Reactivity With GH Assays SOMAVERT has significant structural similarity to growth hormone (GH) which causes it to cross-react in commercially available GH assays. Since serum concentrations of therapeutically effective doses of SOMAVERT are generally 100 to 1000 times higher than the actual serum GH concentrations seen in patients with acromegaly, measurements of serum GH concentrations will appear falsely elevated. 5.4 Lipohypertrophy There have been cases of lipohypertrophy in patients treated with SOMAVERT. In a double-blind, 12-week, placebo-controlled study, there was one case (1.3%) of injection site lipohypertrophy reported in a subject receiving 10 mg/day. The subject recovered while on treatment. Among two open-label trials (with a total of 147 patients), there were two subjects, both receiving 10 mg/day, who developed lipohypertrophy. One case recovered while on treatment, and one case resulted in a discontinuation of treatment. Injection sites should be rotated daily to help prevent lipohypertrophy (different area than the last injection). 5.5 Systemic Hypersensitivity In patients with systemic hypersensitivity reactions, caution and close monitoring should be exercised when re-initiating SOMAVERT therapy [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] .
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Insulin and/or Oral hypoglycemic Agents: Patients with acromegaly and with diabetes mellitus may require careful monitoring and dose reductions of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents. ( 5.2 , 7.1 ) • Opioids: Patients on opioids may need higher SOMAVERT doses to achieve appropriate IGF-1 suppression. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Insulin and/or Oral Hypoglycemic Agents After initiation of SOMAVERT, patients with acromegaly and diabetes mellitus treated with insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents may require dose reductions of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 7.2 Opioids In clinical studies, patients taking opioids often needed higher SOMAVERT doses to normalize IGF-1 concentrations compared with patients not receiving opioids. The mechanism of this interaction is not known.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinically significant adverse reactions that appear in other section of the labeling include: • Hypoglycemia Associated with GH Lowering in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Liver Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Cross-Reactivity with GH Assays [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Lipohypertrophy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Systemic Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Elevations of serum concentrations of ALT and AST greater than ten times the ULN were reported in two patients (0.8%) exposed to SOMAVERT in pre-approval clinical studies. One patient was rechallenged with SOMAVERT, and the recurrence of elevated transaminase levels suggested a probable causal relationship between administration of the drug and the elevation in liver enzymes. A liver biopsy performed on the second patient was consistent with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology. In both patients, the transaminase elevations normalized after discontinuation of the drug. Elevations in ALT and AST levels were not associated with increased levels of TBIL and ALP, with the exception of two patients with minimal associated increases in ALP levels (i.e., less than 3 times ULN). The transaminase elevations did not appear to be related to the dose of SOMAVERT administered, generally occurred within 4 to 12 weeks of initiation of therapy, and were not associated with any identifiable biochemical, phenotypic, or genetic predictors. Most common reported adverse reactions (>6%) are infection, pain, nausea, diarrhea, abnormal liver tests, flu syndrome, injection site reaction. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, fixed-dose study of SOMAVERT in subjects with acromegaly, 32 subjects received placebo and 80 subjects received SOMAVERT once daily [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . A total of 108 subjects (30 placebo, 78 SOMAVERT) completed 12 weeks of study treatment. Overall, eight patients with acromegaly (5.3%) withdrew from pre-marketing clinical studies because of adverse events, including two patients with marked transaminase elevations, one patient with lipohypertrophy at the injection sites, and one patient with substantial weight gain. Most adverse events did not appear to be dose-dependent. Table 3 shows the incidence of adverse events that were reported in at least two patients treated with SOMAVERT and at frequencies greater than placebo during the 12-week, placebo-controlled study. Table 3. Adverse Reactions in a 12-week Placebo-Controlled Study in Patients with Acromegaly Table includes only those events that were reported in at least 2 patients and at a higher incidence in patients treated with SOMAVERT than in patients treated with placebo. Placebo n=32 SOMAVERT 10 mg/day n=26 15 mg/day n=26 20 mg/day N=28 Infection The 6 events coded as "infection" in the group treated with SOMAVERT 10 mg were reported as cold symptoms (3), upper respiratory infection (1), blister (1), and ear infection (1). The 2 events in the placebo group were reported as cold symptoms (1) and chest infection (1). 2 (6%) 6 (23%) 0 0 Pain 2 (6%) 2 (8%) 1 (4%) 4 (14%) Nausea 1 (3%) 0 2 (8%) 4 (14%) Diarrhea 1 (3%) 1 (4%) 0 4 (14%) Abnormal liver function tests 1 (3%) 3 (12%) 1 (4%) 1 (4%) Flu syndrome 0 1 (4%) 3 (12%) 2 (7%) Injection site reaction 0 2 (8%) 1 (4%) 3 (11%) Dizziness 2 (6%) 2 (8%) 1 (4%) 1 (4%) Accidental injury 1 (3%) 2 (8%) 1 (4%) 0 Back pain 1 (3%) 2 (8%) 0 1 (4%) Sinusitis 1 (3%) 2 (8%) 0 1 (4%) Chest pain 0 1 (4%) 2 (8%) 0 Peripheral edema 0 2 (8%) 0 1 (4%) Hypertension 0 0 2 (8%) 0 Paresthesia 2 (6%) 0 0 2 (7%) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Adverse Reactions from Postmarketing Spontaneous Reports The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of SOMAVERT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Systemic hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions, laryngospasm, angioedema, generalized skin reactions (rash, erythema, pruritus, urticaria) have been reported in post-marketing use. Some patients required hospitalization. Symptoms did not re-occur in all patients after re-challenge [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Adverse Reactions from an Observational Study ACROSTUDY was an international observational registry that captured long term safety data in 2221 patients with acromegaly treated with SOMAVERT for a mean treatment duration of 8.5 years. Patients could also receive other therapy for acromegaly during the registry period. Treatment dose and schedule were at the discretion of each treating healthcare provider. Although safety monitoring as per the recommended schedule was mandatory, not all assessments were performed at all time points for every patient. Because of this, comparison of rates of adverse events to those in the original clinical trial is not appropriate. Of the 1327 patients who had a normal AST and ALT at baseline, 20 (1.5%) patients had elevated tests >3-5 times ULN, and 22 (1.7%) patients had elevated tests >5 times ULN. Lipohypertrophy was reported in 35 (1.6%) patients. Of the 1795 patients who had a MRI reported at baseline and at least once during follow up in the study, MRI results showed that 128 (7.1%) were reported to have an increase, 310 (17.3%) were reported to have a decrease, 81 (4.5%) had both increase and decrease, and 1276 (71.1%) had no change.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Postmarketing reports of SOMAVERT use in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Acromegaly may improve during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, fetotoxicity was observed at a dose that was 6 times the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area following subcutaneous administration of pegvisomant during organogenesis or during the preimplantation period (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryofetal risk Published data from case reports, case series, and a small interventional study in pregnant women with acromegaly have demonstrated that acromegaly may improve or stabilize without treatment during pregnancy, particularly if acromegaly is treated before pregnancy. In rare cases, acromegaly may worsen during pregnancy. Since IGF-1 levels may change physiologically during pregnancy and interpreting IGF-1 and growth hormone levels in pregnant women with acromegaly may be unreliable, clinical monitoring is recommended. Data Animal Data The effects of pegvisomant on early embryonic development and embryo-fetal development were evaluated in two separate studies, which were conducted in pregnant rabbits with pegvisomant at subcutaneous doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day. There was no evidence of teratogenic effects associated with pegvisomant administration during organogenesis. At the 10-mg/kg/day dose (6 times the maximum human therapeutic dose based on body surface area), a reproducible, slight increase in post-implantation loss was observed in both studies.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How SOMAVERT appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

84%

4,611 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 5

On 78% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

97%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)37
19%
Tier 2 (generic)1
1%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)6
3%
Tier 5 (specialty)156
78%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 25% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 200 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Yes

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