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octreotide

Generic Sandostatin Lar Depot
Used for Acromegaly, Neuroendocrine Tumor

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerConnie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 1, 2023
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What is Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)?

What is Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) used for?

People who are currently taking and have responded well to short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) can take Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for:

How Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) works

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.

Drug facts

Common BrandsSandostatin LAR Depot
Drug ClassSomatostatin analog
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Acromegaly

  • Diarrhea (36-47%)
  • Gallstones (13-38%)
  • Stomach pain (25-29%)
  • Passing gas (25%)

Carcinoid Tumor and VIPoma

  • Nausea (24-41%)
  • Stomach pain (10-35%)
  • Tiredness (8-32%)
  • Headache (16-30%)
  • Back pain (8-27%)
  • Dizziness (18-20%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Anemia
  • Pain at injection site
  • Gallstones
  • High blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Changes in blood sugar
  • Back pain
  • Low thyroid hormone

Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Dangerously low blood sugar: feeling faint, shaking, sweating, dizziness, fast heartbeat, nervousness, anxious, confused, irritable, feeling very hungry
  • Dangerously high blood sugar: frequently thirsty, needing to urinate often, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, having fruity breath, having dry mouth
  • Heart rhythm problems: Chest pounding, fluttering in the chest, difficulty breathing, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Swelling of the gallbladder or pancreas: sudden pain in upper right portion of your stomach area, back pain between your shoulder blades, nausea, vomiting, fever, swelling in the belly, fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) side effects have also been reported

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

Constipation

depressed mood

diarrhea

dizziness

dry skin and hair

fainting

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

feeling cold

hair loss

hoarseness or husky voice

loss of appetite

muscle cramps and stiffness

nausea

severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting

stomach pain

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

weight gain

Less common

Anxiety

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

dry mouth

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

cough

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

fever

hives, itching, skin rash

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

sneezing

sore throat

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures

tremor

unusual bleeding or bruising

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known

Blindness

bloating

clear or bloody discharge from nipple

decreased vision

delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, and/or combativeness

dimpling of the breast skin

eye pain

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

Anxiety

blurred vision

chills

cold sweats

coma

confusion

cool, pale skin

depression

dizziness

fast heartbeat

feeling of warmth

headache

increased hunger

nausea

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

hair loss

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

muscle pain

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.

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Pros and cons of Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)

Pros

  • Works well to treat acromegaly and side effects from certain tumors
  • Only given once per month

Cons

  • Needs to be given by a healthcare professional
  • Needs to be injected into buttock muscle
  • Available as a brand-name medication
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Pharmacist tips for Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)

pharmacist
  • 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).
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Common questions about Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)

How long the side effects last can different depending on what you're experiencing. Some of the more common side effects, like diarrhea or upset stomach, might get better over time. But other side effects, such as changes in blood sugar levels, might last the entire time you're receiving treatment. Talk with your provider if you're experiencing side effects from Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) and they discuss with you ways to manage them.

No, Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) isn't chemotherapy. Chemotherapy are medications that target and kill cancer (tumors). Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can be used to treat symptoms (e.g., diarrhea and flushing) caused by certain tumors, but it doesn't directly kill or shrink cancer cells.

Yes, Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can raise blood pressure as a side effect. In clinical studies in looking at Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for acromegaly, about 13% of people had high blood pressure. Your provider might ask you to check your blood pressure on a regular basis and keep a record of your measurements to see if a dose adjustment is needed. Make sure to tell your provider if you have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medications.

Yes, Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) can cause both high and low blood sugar levels as side effects. Studies show about 15% of people using Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for acromegaly experienced high blood sugar whereas 2% experienced low blood sugar. Your provider will likely ask you to check you blood sugar levels regularly after you start Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide). If you're already taking medications for high blood sugar levels, your provider might need to make adjustments to the doses of those medications.

Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) isn't FDA-approved to hep with stomach bleeding. But there are studies looking at the use of short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) to help with specific types of bleeding, such as esophageal varices. It's thought to work by narrowing the blood vessels to ease bleeding. Talk with your provider if you want to know more about the use of octreotide for stomach bleeding.

Both Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) and lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) are somatostatin analogs and are quite similar to each other. They're both given as monthly injections and used for acromegaly and symptoms from certain types of tumors. But the types of tumors that each can be used for slightly differ. Studies suggest lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) might have a faster time of administration.

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Risks and warnings for 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.

Changes in blood sugar

  • 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.

Heartbeat and heart rhythm problems

  • 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.

Gallstones

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.

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)

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.

Not absorbing nutrition properly

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.

Unintended pregnancies

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.

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Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) dosage

The average cost for 1 kit of 20mg for injection of of Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) is $1,154.97 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 79.60% off the average retail price of $5,662.95.
kitKit
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
30mg for injection of 1 kit$1,714.08$1,714.08
10mg for injection of 3 kits$3,018.53$1,006.18
20mg for injection of 1 kit$1,154.97$1,154.97

Typical dosage for Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)

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.

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Interactions between Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) and other drugs

Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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.

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What are alternatives to Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide)
Used for:

People who are currently taking and have responded well to short-acting octreotide (Sandostatin) can take Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) for:

$1,154.97Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
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Used for:
$2,435.07Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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Sandostatin Lar Depot (octreotide) images

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References

Best studies we found

American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). How to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

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