Octreotide vs. Lanreotide for Neuroendocrine Tumor and Acromegaly: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Octreotide

Lanreotide

(Somatuline Depot)

Summary for Octreotide

Prescription only

Octreotide acetate, also known by its brand name Sandostatin, is a short-acting somatostatin analog injection used to treat acromegaly, a condition where your body makes too much growth hormone. It's also used to manage symptoms like diarrhea and flushing caused by certain tumors. It's typically injected under the skin 2 to 4 times per day. Octreotide injection is available in both brand-name and generic forms. Some common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, and pain at the injection site.

Indications for Octreotide

Acromegaly
Diarrhea and flushing linked to carcinoid tumors
Diarrhea linked to vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas)

Pros and Cons for Octreotide

Pros

Can be stored at room temperature for 2 weeks if needed
Can be injected under the skin or through a vein

Cons

Needs to be injected 2 to 4 times per day
Can cause changes to your blood sugar and thyroid hormone levels

Common Side Effects for Octreotide

Gallbladder problems (63%)
Diarrhea (34-61%)
Nausea (34-61%)
Stomach discomfort (34-61%)
Low heart rate (25%)
High blood sugar (16%)
Low thyroid hormone (12%)

Warnings for Octreotide

Changes in blood sugar
Heartbeat and heart rhythm problems
Gallstones
Low thyroid hormone
Not absorbing nutrients properly
Unintended pregnancies

Summary for Lanreotide

Prescription only

Lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) is used to treat certain hormone-related conditions, such as acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) Only the brand name Somatuline Depot is approved to lower symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. It's given as an injection under the skin by a healthcare professional, typically once per month. Some common side effects include diarrhea, muscle pain, and pain and irritation at the injection site.

Indications for Lanreotide

Acromegaly in people who either can't get surgery or radiation, or for whom surgery or radiation didn't work well
Certain type of tumor in the gut (gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs))
Symptoms from certain types of tumor (carcinoid syndrome) - Somatuline Depot only

Pros and Cons for Lanreotide

Pros

Good option for treating acromegaly, GEP-NETs, and carcinoid syndrome
Given only once per month
Available as a generic, which is less expensive

Cons

Needs to be given by a healthcare professional
Needs to be injected under the skin in the upper outer buttock area
Only the brand name Somatuline Depot can help with symptoms of carcinoid syndrome
Breastfeeding not recommended until 6 months after your last dose of lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) because of possible harm to breastfed babies

Common Side Effects for Lanreotide

Common side effects reported from people taking lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) for acromegaly:

Diarrhea (up to 73%)
Gallstones (up to 27%)
Stomach pain (up to 20%)
Injection site reactions, such as pain, itching, nodule, skin hardening (up to 17%)
Joint pain (up to 10%)

Common side effects reported from people taking lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) for GEP-NETs:

Stomach pain (34%)
Muscle pain (19%)
Vomiting (19%)
Headache (16%)
Injection site reactions, such as pain, itching, redness, swelling, rash, bruising/bleeding (15%)
High blood sugar (14%)
High blood pressure (14%)
Gallstones (14%)