Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is a somatostatin analog that treats acromegaly and side effects caused by certain tumors. It works by acting like somatostatin, a hormone that affects many different processes in the body. Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is a long-acting, monthly injection given into the muscles by a healthcare provider. Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is only for people who are using and have responded well to the appropriate dose of short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin). Some side effects of this medication include stomach upset and tiredness.
People who are currently taking and have responded well to short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) can take Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for:
Diarrhea and flushing linked to carcinoid tumors
Diarrhea linked to vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas)
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is a somatostatin analog. This means it acts like somatostatin, a hormone made by your body that blocks the release of many other hormones.
It treats acromegaly, a condition where your body makes too much growth hormone (GH), by blocking your body from releasing too much GH.
It also treats flushing and diarrhea caused by carcinoid tumors and diarrhea linked to VIPomas by blocking or lowering certain activities in your stomach, such as blood flow and gut movement.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
depressed mood
dizziness
dry skin and hair
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
feeling cold
hoarseness or husky voice
loss of appetite
muscle cramps and stiffness
severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
stomach pain
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
collection of blood under the skin
confusion
cool, pale skin
deep, dark purple bruise
difficult, burning, or painful urination
flushed, dry skin
frequent urge to urinate
fruit-like breath odor
headache
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
itching, pain, redness, or swelling
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
nervousness
nightmares
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
sweating
swelling
trouble breathing
unexplained weight loss
Rare
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in vomit
changes in skin color, pain, tenderness, swelling of the foot or leg
chest pain or tightness
coughing up blood
dark urine
decreased urine output
difficulty in breathing or swallowing
difficulty swallowing
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
irregular breathing
itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
light-colored stools
nosebleeds
pain in the groin or genitals
pale skin
paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
paralysis
pounding in the ears
prolonged bleeding from cuts
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red or dark brown urine
severe or continuing stomach pain
sharp back pain just below the ribs
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures
unusual bleeding or bruising
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
yellow eyes and skin
Incidence not known
Blindness
clear or bloody discharge from nipple
decreased vision
delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, and/or combativeness
dimpling of the breast skin
gaseous
indigestion
inverted nipple
lump in the breast or under the arm
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
pinpoint red spots on the skin
recurrent fever
redness of swelling of the breast
severe constipation
severe cramping
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach fullness
swollen glands
tearing
weakness of the muscles in your face
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
coma
confusion
cool, pale skin
dizziness
fast heartbeat
feeling of warmth
headache
increased hunger
nervousness
nightmares
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Abnormal stool
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
full feeling
pain, redness, stinging, swelling, tingling, or burning sensation at the injection site
passing of gas
Less common
Backache
feeling of warmth
joint pain
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
Rare
Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
change in vision
difficulty in moving
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
hearing loss
itching of the vagina or genital area
joint swelling or redness
loss of vision
memory loss
numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, or face
pain during sexual intercourse
sensation of spinning
stopping of menstrual bleeding
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
Incidence not known
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Works well to treat acromegaly and side effects from certain tumors
Only given once per month
Needs to be given by a healthcare professional
Needs to be injected into buttock muscle
Available as a brand-name medication
Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to receive Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) so you don't miss any of your doses.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Always keep emergency glucose tablets or hard candy on you in case your blood sugar drops too low. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, such as feeling faint, shaking, and sweating, check and treat your blood sugar right away. If your symptoms don't improve, call 911.
Make sure your loved ones know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar so they can help you if you can't help yourself. Make sure they know where your Glucagen (glucagon) injection is and are trained to give you an injection if you faint from low blood sugar.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) interacts with many commonly used medications, such as certain heart rhythm and blood sugar medications. Make sure to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you're taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, before starting Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide).
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) raises the risk of unintended pregnancies for females who are able to become pregnant. If you're sexually active, ask your provider about what birth control options are best for you.
Ask your provider or pharmacist to see if you qualify for a savings program that can lower your out-of-pocket costs to get Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide).
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Blood sugar problems
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause changes in blood sugar levels. Your provider might have you keep track of your blood sugar regularly, especially when you first start Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) and when there's a change in your dose. If you're already taking blood sugar medications, your doses might need to be changed.
Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of too much blood sugar, such as feeling very thirsty, needing to urinate often, and feeling very tired.
Also, it's important to treat low blood sugar right away if you feel any symptoms, such as feeling faint, shaking, sweating, and dizziness. Get medical help if your symptoms don't improve because dangerously low blood sugar levels can be life-threatening. If you have any symptoms of or questions about blood sugar problems, talk with your provider.
Risk factors: Heart failure | Heartbeat or heart rhythm problems | Taking medications that affect your heartbeat or heart rhythm
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause heart beat or heart rhythm problems, which can be life-threatening. Your risk for these problems is higher if you already have heart problems or are taking medications that can change your heartbeat and heart rhythm, such as amiodarone (Pacerone), beta-blockers, and moxifloxacin (Avelox). Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking and also check with them before you start any new medications. If you feel symptoms of heart problems, such as pounding chest, trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded, or chest pain], call 911 right away.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can raise your risk of gallstones (cholelithiasis) and related problems, such as inflammation (swelling) of your gallbladder, bile ducts, or pancreas. In very serious cases, your gallbladder might be need to be removed. If you get symptoms of gallstones, such as sudden pain in the upper right portion of your stomach area, back pain between your shoulder blades, nausea, or vomiting, stop Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) injections and get medical help right away.
Although rare, Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can lower the amount of thyroid hormone your body makes and cause hypothyroidism. Because of this, your provider might order lab work to check your thyroid hormones regularly while you take this medication. If you get symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as tiredness, weight gain, and feeling cold, contact your provider right away.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause your body to not properly absorb nutrition, such as vitamin B12, fats, and zinc. If you experience symptoms of poor nutrition, such as tiredness, losing weight, and getting sick often, talk with your healthcare provider.
In addition, changes in nutrient absorption might also affect the absorption of certain medications, such as cyclosporine. Let your provider know what other medications you're taking so they can see if their dosages need to be adjusted.
Because Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) affects the level of certain hormones, it can raise the risk of unintended pregnancies for females who are able to become pregnant. If you're a sexually active female and taking Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide), ask your provider about what birth control options are best for you.
You can only use Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) if you're currently using and have responded well to the appropriate dose of the short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) for your condition, for at least 2 weeks.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is given as an injection into the muscle (intramuscular or IM) of the buttocks by a healthcare provider.
Acromegaly: The typical starting dose is 20 mg IM monthly for 3 months. After this, your provider will adjust your monthly dose based on your growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, as well as your symptoms. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 10 mg to 40 mg monthly.
Carcinoid tumors and VIPomas: The typical starting dose is 20 mg IM monthly for 2 months. After this, your provider will adjust your monthly dose based on your symptoms. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 10 mg to 30 mg monthly.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney or liver problems.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
People who are currently taking and have responded well to short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) can take Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for:
Diarrhea and flushing linked to carcinoid tumors
Diarrhea linked to vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas)
Long-term maintenance treatment of acromegaly in adults who've responded well to injectable octreotide (Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR depot) or lanreotide (Somatuline Depot)
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
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