octreotide (injection)

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Pronunciation: ok TREE oh tide

Brand: SandoSTATIN, SandoSTATIN LAR Depot

What is the most important information I should know about octreotide?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is octreotide?

Octreotide is a man-made protein that is similar to a hormone in the body called somatostatin. Octreotide lowers many substances in the body such as insulin and glucagon (involved in regulating blood sugar), growth hormone, and chemicals that affect digestion.

Octreotide is used to treat acromegaly. Octreotide is also used to reduce flushing episodes and watery diarrhea caused by cancerous tumors (carcinoid syndrome) or tumors called vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIP adenomas).

Octreotide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using octreotide?

You should not use octreotide if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely use octreotide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

  • diabetes;
  • gallbladder disease;
  • heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart rhythm disorder;
  • thyroid problems;
  • pancreatitis;
  • liver disease; or
  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Octreotide is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Using octreotide can affect certain hormones that may make it easier for you to get pregnant, even if you were unable to get pregnant before. Talk to your doctor about using birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

It is not known whether octreotide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use octreotide?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Octreotide is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine. Be sure to follow the instructions for the exact type of octreotide your doctor has prescribed for you.

Store octreotide in the original carton in the refrigerator. Protect from light.

Octreotide should be at room temperature when you inject it. Take the medicine out of the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before preparing your dose. Do not heat the medicine. After mixing your dose, give the injection right away. Do not save it for later use.

Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use octreotide if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject octreotide. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

While using octreotide, you may need frequent medical tests.

Each single-use ampul is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.

If refrigeration is not available, you may store an unopened single-use ampul or multi-dose vial at room temperature for up to 14 days. Keep away from moisture and heat.

Throw away any medicine left in the multi-use vial after 14 days of use. Then start a new vial.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of octreotide.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe upper stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, warmth or tingling, numbness or cold feeling, unexplained muscle pain, weakness, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid while using octreotide?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of octreotide?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain or tenderness, severe constipation;
  • slow or uneven heartbeats;
  • severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
  • high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss;
  • low blood sugar --headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or
  • underactive thyroid --extreme tired feeling, dry skin, joint pain or stiffness, muscle pain or weakness, hoarse voice, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, weight gain.

Common side effects may include:

  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • vomiting, upset stomach;
  • bloating, gas;
  • headache, dizziness; or
  • pain when injecting the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect octreotide?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with octreotide, especially:

  • bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel);
  • cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
  • insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
  • a diuretic or "water pill"; or
  • medicine for heart disease or high blood pressure.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with octreotide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about octreotide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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