The craze for growth hormone injections, widely known as “height-increasing shots,” is intensifying.

Last year saw record highs in both the number of prescriptions and the total cost of growth hormone treatments. At the same time, severe side effects have surged more than 18-fold over the past five years, while illegal online sales and advertisements for growth hormone-related drugs have jumped over 50-fold.

According to data on “Growth Hormone Injection Prescription Trends Over the Past Five Years” obtained by Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of prescriptions surged 1.8 times over five years, from 895,011 in 2020 to 1,621,154 in 2024.

During the same period, the total prescription cost rose 2.6 times, from 59.6 billion won ($42.4 million) to 159.2 billion won. This marks the first time prescription spending on growth hormone injections has exceeded 150 billion won. Analysts estimate the increase would be even larger if non-reimbursed prescriptions were included.

As growth hormone use climbed, reported side effects also increased sharply.

According to the “Status of Growth Hormone Injection Side Effects” data Rep. Nam received from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, total side effects nearly tripled, from 660 cases in 2020 to 1,809 cases in 2024. During the same period, serious side effects surged over 18-fold, from nine cases to 165 cases. Severe adverse reactions included pneumonia, disease aggravation, Mycoplasma pneumonia, appendicitis, and fever.

Illegal online sales and ads for growth hormone-related drugs are also proliferating. The number of detected cases, only two in 2021, has surged to 111 cases as of August 2025.

“Growth hormone injections should be prescribed only for patients with growth hormone secretion disorders, deficiencies, or Turner syndrome. Yet they are being misused and abused as so-called ‘height-increasing shots,’” Rep. Nam said. “With serious side effects and illegal online sales both soaring, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety must strengthen oversight and establish institutional countermeasures.”

(Caption)

Growth hormone injections, commonly referred to as “height-increasing shots,” saw record highs in both prescription volume and costs last year. (Credit: Getty Images)