Signifor

Pasireotide can cause high blood sugar, which can lead to symptoms such as urinating more often, tiredness, and feeling thirsty. But you might not always experience noticeable symptoms if your blood sugar is high. That's why your provider will ask you to check your blood sugar regularly while you take this medication. If your blood sugar is high and hard to control with food and exercise alone, your provider might have you take medications to help lower your blood sugar levels.

Pasireotide can cause dangerously low blood sugar, although this isn't as common as it causing high blood sugar. 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.

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 taking pasireotide and get medical help right away. This medication can raise your risk for gallstones. If gallstones aren't treated right away, you might need to get surgery later on if your condition becomes serious.

There are certain medications that can interact with pasireotide, especially those that can affect your heart rhythm, such as levofloxacin (Levaquin) and fluconazole (Diflucan). Check with your provider that your current medications are safe to take with pasireotide. Don't start any new medications while taking pasireotide without talking to your provider or pharmacist first.

Pasireotide 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.

Signifor is supplied as little glass ampules, which can break easily. Make sure to handle the ampules with care to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Keep the ampules in the box and store at room temperature and away from light. Gently take the ampule out from the box only when you're ready to give yourself the dose.

Before starting this medication, make sure your provider or pharmacist teaches you how to give yourself Signifor so that you avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Read the instructions on how to give yourself injections under the skin. Contact your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use this medication.

Always check to make sure the medication is clear and colorless before using it. If it's cloudy, discolored, or has particles, don't use it. Contact your provider or pharmacist to see if it's possible to get a replacement.

Signifor ampules are single-dose only. You must throw away the remainder of the medication after each use, even if there's still medication left.

After giving yourself the medication, throw away the ampule, syringe, and needle in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle, to lower the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw away them away in your trash can. When your sharps container is almost full, close it tightly with the cap. For more information on how to throw away your sharps container safely and guidance for your specific state, visit the FDA's website.

Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider (and receive your dose of Signifor LAR if you're using this brand) so you can be properly monitored to make sure pasireotide is safe and working well for you.