What medication is used to grow taller?

October 6, 2025 •

3 min read

In the United States, recombinant human growth hormone is an FDA-approved treatment for pediatric short stature due to several medical conditions. So, what medication is used to grow taller? The primary answer is a synthetic form of human growth hormone called somatropin.

Quick Summary

This article examines FDA-approved medications for increasing height, focusing on human growth hormone (HGH) for conditions like GHD, Turner syndrome, and ISS. It details how HGH works, its effectiveness, and potential side effects.

Key Points

Primary Medication: The main medication used to increase height is somatropin, a synthetic form of human growth hormone (HGH).
Medical Supervision is Essential: HGH is a prescription drug only available after diagnosis of a specific medical condition by a pediatric endocrinologist.
Mechanism of Action: HGH stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, and both hormones act on the growth plates of bones to promote linear growth.
Specific Conditions: It is FDA-approved for conditions like Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS), and Turner Syndrome.
Timing is Critical: Treatment is most effective in childhood and must be administered before the bone's growth plates close, typically in the mid-teens.
Targeted Therapies Exist: For specific conditions like achondroplasia, a different medication called Vosoritide is used.
High Cost: HGH therapy is very expensive, often costing thousands of dollars per month, and requires insurance approval.

The Primary Medication for Height: Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

The main prescription medication used to help children grow taller is a man-made version of human growth hormone (HGH), known generically as somatropin. This drug is similar to the growth hormone naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is crucial for stimulating bone growth in childhood.

Somatropin is administered as a daily or weekly injection. Brand names include Norditropin, Genotropin, and Humatrope, with some available in a once-weekly form. Treatment is most effective when started early and continues until the growth plates in the bones close, usually around age 14 for girls and 16 for boys.

How HGH Promotes Growth

HGH facilitates growth through a multi-step process:

Stimulation: HGH travels in the bloodstream.
IGF-1 Production: It prompts the liver and other tissues to make Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-1).
Growth Plate Action: Both HGH and IGF-1 act on growth plates, stimulating cartilage cells to divide.
Bone Elongation: New cartilage forms, and old cartilage becomes bone, causing bones to lengthen.

FDA-Approved Conditions for HGH Treatment

Before prescribing HGH, a pediatric endocrinologist must identify an underlying cause of short stature. The FDA has approved somatropin for several conditions in children:

Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD): The pituitary gland doesn't produce enough growth hormone.
Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS): Significant shortness without a known medical reason. HGH was approved for ISS in 2003 and can increase adult height by 1.5 to 3 inches.
Turner Syndrome: A genetic condition affecting female development and height.
Noonan Syndrome: A genetic disorder impacting development in various body parts.
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS): A complex genetic condition affecting growth and metabolism.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Short growth can be a complication.
Small for Gestational Age (SGA): For children born small who don't catch up in growth.
SHOX Gene Deficiency: Involves a gene important for bone development.

Other Medications Affecting Height

Beyond HGH, other medications may be used for specific conditions:

Vosoritide (Voxzogo): Approved for children with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. It is a daily injection that helps regulate bone growth in this condition and has shown to increase growth velocity.
Aromatase Inhibitors: Sometimes used off-label in boys to delay growth plate fusion by blocking estrogen production. While potentially allowing for longer growth, their impact on final height and potential side effects on vertebrae are still being studied.

Comparison of Height-Increasing Medications


Medication	Primary Mechanism	Target Condition(s)	Administration
Somatropin (HGH)	Replaces or supplements natural growth hormone, stimulating IGF-1 production.	GHD, ISS, Turner Syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, PWS, CKD, SGA, SHOX Deficiency.	Daily or weekly subcutaneous injection.
Vosoritide (Voxzogo)	Acts as a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) analog to regulate bone growth.	Achondroplasia.	Daily subcutaneous injection.
Aromatase Inhibitors	Block the conversion of androgens to estrogens, delaying growth plate fusion (in boys).	Off-label for Idiopathic Short Stature, Constitutional Delay of Growth.	Oral pill.

Safety, Side Effects, and Cost

HGH therapy is generally safe, with infrequent side effects like headaches, joint pain, and injection site reactions. Children receiving HGH are monitored regularly by a pediatric endocrinologist.

The cost of HGH therapy is high, often ranging from $1,000 to over $5,000 monthly. Insurance coverage is typically necessary and requires a diagnosis of an FDA-approved condition.

Conclusion

FDA-approved medications for increasing height in children are prescription drugs for specific medical conditions, not cosmetic enhancement. Somatropin (HGH) is the most common treatment for a range of growth disorders, while Vosoritide is used for achondroplasia. A pediatric endocrinologist must diagnose the underlying cause and manage treatment. Parents concerned about their child's growth should consult a healthcare professional.

Authoritative Link: Somatropin Information from the FDA

Frequently Asked Questions

No, adults cannot grow taller by taking medication. Growth hormone therapy is only effective before the growth plates in the long bones have fused, which happens after puberty.

The primary medication is somatropin, a man-made version of human growth hormone (HGH). It is used to treat several medical conditions that cause short stature.

HGH therapy is generally considered safe with infrequent side effects when monitored by a specialist. Potential side effects include headaches, joint pain, and injection site reactions.

Results vary depending on the condition. For Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS), treatment over several years may increase final adult height by an average of 1.5 to 3 inches (3.5 to 7.5 cm).

Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS) is a diagnosis for children who are very short compared to their peers without a detectable medical reason. HGH is an FDA-approved treatment for this condition.

No. There are no proven over-the-counter pills or supplements that can increase height. Legitimate height-increasing medications like HGH are available only by prescription.

Growth hormone therapy is very expensive, with costs potentially ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per month. The exact cost depends on the required dosage, brand, and insurance coverage.