MD2SKILL

Drug-interaction and co-medication adjustment reference for a child on Genryzon (somatrogon, weekly long-acting growth hormone). Covers glucocorticoids, insulin and oral hypoglycaemics, thyroxine, oral estrogen, and CYP3A4-metabolised drugs (sex steroids, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, ciclosporin). Use when a clinician asks about drug interactions with Genryzon or somatrogon, prescribing another drug in a child on GH, girl on Genryzon starting OCP, diabetic child starting GH, adjusting hydrocortisone on GH, or CYP3A4 concerns with somatrogon. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Titrate Genryzon (somatrogon, weekly long-acting growth hormone) dose in a paediatric GHD patient using serum IGF-1 SDS. Encodes the mandatory 4-days-post-dose sampling rule, the target SDS window, the 15% dose-reduction trigger, and the oral estrogen adjustment. Use when a clinician asks how to titrate somatrogon, when to sample IGF-1 on Genryzon, target IGF-1 SDS on weekly GH, what to do if IGF-1 is too high on somatrogon, IGF-1 rising on Genryzon, how to adjust GH dose in a girl started on oral OCP, or presents a paediatric GHD case on somatrogon with an IGF-1 value to interpret. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Bedside prescribing reference for Genryzon (somatrogon, Pfizer India) — the once-weekly long-acting growth hormone for paediatric growth hormone deficiency. Use when a clinician asks how to start Genryzon, how to dose somatrogon in a child, how to switch a child from daily growth hormone to weekly somatrogon, how to inject the Genryzon pen, missed-dose rule for somatrogon, when to stop somatrogon, or needs a monograph-level prescribing decision for a paediatric GHD patient. Applies to children and adolescents ≥3 years of age. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Pretreatment screening checklist before starting Genryzon (somatrogon, weekly long-acting growth hormone) in a child with confirmed paediatric growth hormone deficiency. Ensures thyroid, adrenal, glucose, ocular, tumour, and Prader-Willi status are checked before the first dose to prevent adrenal crisis, wasted therapy, unmasked hypothyroidism, unrecognised hyperglycaemia, missed intracranial hypertension, or sudden death in PWS. Use when a clinician asks what to check before starting somatrogon, workup before Genryzon, baseline tests for weekly GH, screening for adrenal insufficiency before GH, or is about to prescribe Genryzon in a paediatric GHD case. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Red-flag safety scan for a child on Genryzon (somatrogon, weekly long-acting growth hormone) — recognise and act on the treatment-emergent adverse events that require holding, investigating, or stopping the drug. Covers benign intracranial hypertension, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, pancreatitis, injection-site myositis (m-cresol), scoliosis progression, second neoplasm surveillance in cancer survivors, hyperglycaemia unmasking, and adrenal insufficiency unmasking. Use when a clinician asks what side effects to watch for on Genryzon, red flags on weekly GH, headache in a child on somatrogon, limp in a child on GH, abdominal pain on Genryzon, or is following up a paediatric GHD patient on somatrogon. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Decide when to stop Genryzon (somatrogon, weekly long-acting growth hormone) in a paediatric GHD patient — the three physiological gates (epiphyseal closure, height velocity <2 cm/year, bone age >14 in girls or >16 in boys) plus the safety-driven stops (active tumour, adult GHD re-evaluation, adverse events). Use when a clinician asks when to stop somatrogon, when to discontinue Genryzon, is the child done with GH, has this child reached final height on GH, transitioning GH from paediatric to adult care, or is reviewing a teenager who has been on Genryzon for years. Grounded in the Pfizer India Product Monograph (Genryzon LPD, 2022 — PfLEET 2022-0081166).

Identify the likely cause of a newly-diagnosed cardiomyopathy or unexplained heart failure by systematic red-flag pattern matching across history, examination, ECG, echo, and initial labs. Use when a clinician asks "what is causing this cardiomyopathy", "unexplained LV dysfunction workup", "which cardiomyopathy is this", "DCM etiology workup", "new HF with unclear cause", "cardiomyopathy red flags", or presents a case of new-onset HF or ventricular dysfunction and needs to narrow the differential. Applies to adults and to children — including those with congenital heart disease. Grounded in UpToDate (Colucci, Mar 2026) and the 2024 AHA Scientific Statement on chronic HF in pediatric CHD (Amdani et al).

Performs corticotropin stimulation test to diagnose adrenal insufficiency when morning cortisol is indeterminate (3-15 µg/dL). Triggers include morning cortisol 3-15 µg/dL requiring further AI testing.

Administers immediate parenteral injection of 50–100 mg hydrocortisone for suspected adrenal crisis secondary to adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include hypotension, hypoglycemia, or acute illness in a patient with known adrenal insufficiency.

Clinicians educate adrenal insufficiency patients taking nondexamethasone glucocorticoids who initiate enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs about early signs of adrenal insufficiency. Trigger when an AI patient on nondexamethasone GC starts an enzyme-inducing AED such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, or oxcarbazepine.

In central hypothyroidism patients receiving levothyroxine who initiate enzyme‑inducing antiepileptic drugs, the guideline recommends checking free T4 at least 6 weeks after AED start and increasing the levothyroxine dose if free T4 falls below the target range. Triggers include: central hypothyroidism patient on levothyroxine starting antiepileptic drug such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, or oxcarbazepine.

Applies serum cortisol cutoffs (<3 μg/dL indicates central adrenal insufficiency; >15 μg/dL likely excludes it) when evaluating morning cortisol for suspected adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include morning cortisol measurement in suspected AI and use when interpreting morning cortisol levels for adrenal insufficiency workup.

In patients with adrenal insufficiency receiving dexamethasone replacement, the guideline suggests increasing the dexamethasone dose when enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs are co-administered. Trigger phrases include "AI patient on dexamethasone starts enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug" or "AI patient on dexamethasone requiring enzyme-inducing AED".

Recommends measuring serum cortisol levels at 8–9 AM as the first-line test for diagnosing central adrenal insufficiency. Use when starting diagnostic workup for suspected adrenal insufficiency; triggers include suspected adrenal insufficiency requiring initial cortisol testing.

Accounts for estrogen-induced elevation of total serum cortisol via increased corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) when evaluating adrenal reserve or hydrocortisone replacement adequacy. Triggered when assessing glucocorticoid adequacy in patients receiving estrogen therapy (e.g., oral estrogen replacement) or interpreting cortisol levels in estrogen-exposed individuals.

Recommends against using fludrocortisone for mineralocorticoid replacement in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency. Trigger phrases include: considering mineralocorticoid replacement for secondary adrenal insufficiency and secondary adrenal insufficiency patient needing mineralocorticoid replacement.

Recommends hydrocortisone replacement dosing of 15–20 mg total daily, administered as a single dose or divided doses with the highest dose given in the morning upon awakening and the second dose in the afternoon (two-dose regimen) or second and third doses at lunch and late afternoon (three-dose regimen). Use when initiating glucocorticoid replacement for adrenal insufficiency; triggers include diagnosing adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement.

Suggests testing HPA axis functionality before and after starting GH replacement in patients not receiving glucocorticoid replacement with apparently normal pituitary-adrenal function. Triggers include initiating GH replacement in a GHD patient who is not on glucocorticoids and has normal adrenal function.

Recommends performing biochemical testing for HPA axis at least 18-24 hours after last hydrocortisone dose or longer for synthetic glucocorticoids. Use when scheduling HPA axis testing in glucocorticoid-treated patient needing assessment of adrenal reserve.

Suggests using longer-acting glucocorticoids when standard hydrocortisone regimens are impractical due to nonavailability, poor adherence, or need for once-daily dosing. Triggers include glucocorticoid replacement therapy decisions where patients report difficulty with multiple daily doses, lack of access to hydrocortisone, or preference for simplified regimens.

Recommends using the lowest tolerable hydrocortisone dose to potentially decrease risks of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in central adrenal insufficiency. Triggers include managing a patient with central adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement.

Administers 100-mg hydrocortisone IV bolus followed by continuous IV infusion of 200 mg HC per 24 hours (alternatively 50 mg IV every 6 hours) for patients undergoing major surgical stress. Use when managing patient with major surgical stress; triggers include patient undergoing major surgery.

Suggests administering 25-75 mg hydrocortisone per 24 hours for 1-2 days in patients with adrenal insufficiency undergoing minor to moderate surgical stress. Triggers include patient undergoing minor to moderate surgery with known or suspected adrenal insufficiency.

In patients with normal preoperative adrenal function, suggests an individualized clinical approach for postoperative glucocorticoid administration until HPA axis evaluation can be performed. Triggers include managing postoperative patient with normal preoperative adrenal function needing glucocorticoid management.

Recommends administering stress-dose glucocorticoids before surgery and tapering after surgery in patients with adrenal insufficiency before repeat testing. Triggers include preoperative planning for surgery in a patient with known or suspected adrenal insufficiency.

Recommends against using a random cortisol level to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. Triggers when considering a random cortisol test for AI evaluation (e.g., "random cortisol measurement being considered for AI diagnosis").

Teaches AI patients about stress-dosing and emergency glucocorticoid administration; instructs to obtain emergency card/bracelet/necklace and kit with injectable high-dose GC. Triggers when counseling any patient with adrenal insufficiency (e.g., "Use when counseling patient with adrenal insufficiency...").

Recommends adjusting glucocorticoid doses on the day of surgery based on illness severity and magnitude of surgical stress. Triggers when managing a patient requiring surgery needing perioperative glucocorticoid management, such as "patient on HC for central AI undergoing major abdominal surgery" or "patient with hypopituitarism scheduled for minor procedure".

Recommends measurement of plasma ACTH to establish primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) diagnosis in patients with confirmed cortisol deficiency; a plasma ACTH concentration ≥2-fold the upper limit of the reference range supports PAI. Use when evaluating plasma ACTH in a patient with low morning cortisol or abnormal corticotropin stimulation test.

This skill suggests initiating antihypertensive treatment while continuing fludrocortisone when blood pressure remains uncontrolled after fludrocortisone dose reduction. Trigger phrases include "BP remains uncontrolled," "persistent hypertension," or "elevated BP despite fludrocortisone adjustment."

The Endocrine Society guideline recommends against routine hormonal monitoring of glucocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency and advises adjusting therapy solely based on clinical response. Use when evaluating glucocorticoid dose adequacy, such as when patients report fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, or signs of Cushingoid over-replacement.

Suggests adjusting glucocorticoid dose according to severity of illness or magnitude of the stressor in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. Use when patient with PAI has intercurrent illness, fever, or stress.

Suggests using hydrocortisone 15–25 mg or cortisone acetate 20–35 mg daily in two or three divided oral doses for adult primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) patients initiating glucocorticoid replacement. The highest dose is given upon awakening, with the second dose either early afternoon (≈2 h after lunch) or split into lunch and afternoon doses; consider total daily dose calculation based on chosen formulation and frequency.

This skill suggests using prednisolone as an alternative glucocorticoid when hydrocortisone is unavailable for emergency treatment of adrenal crisis. Dexamethasone is the least-preferred option and should only be administered if no other glucocorticoid is available.

This skill guides annual evaluation of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) for symptoms and signs of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid over- or under-replacement. Use during annual follow-up when assessing for weight changes, blood pressure abnormalities, edema, or symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, or salt craving.

Suggests periodic screening for autoimmune diseases known to be more prevalent in PAI patients in whom autoimmune origin of PAI has not been excluded; optimal frequency unknown but can be done annually. Use when determining screening schedule for PAI patient with uncertain autoimmune origin.

Recommends against dexamethasone for glucocorticoid replacement in primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) due to risk of Cushingoid side effects from difficult dose titration. Use when selecting a glucocorticoid for PAI management to avoid iatrogenic Cushing syndrome.

Suggests avoiding synthetic, long-acting glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone, dexamethasone) in children with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Use when selecting glucocorticoid replacement for a child with PAI to prevent Cushingoid side effects and dose titration difficulties.

Recommends confirmatory testing with corticotropin stimulation test in patients presenting with clinical symptoms or signs suggesting PAI (e.g., fatigue, hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperpigmentation) when the patient's condition permits safe testing. Use when a clinician identifies suggestive features and circumstances allow outpatient stimulation testing without imminent need for emergency glucocorticoids.

Initiates a 6‑month trial of DHEA replacement in women with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) who have persistent low libido, depressive symptoms, or low energy despite otherwise optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid therapy. If the patient does not report a sustained beneficial effect after 6 months, discontinue DHEA.