Clinical Effectiveness
- Sandostatin LAR® Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is a once-monthly formulation of a proven medication, subcutaneously injected immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection. How can a once-monthly injection maintain the clinical effectiveness of a daily-injected formulation? Sandostatin LAR® Depot maintains all of the clinical and pharmacological characteristics of the immediate-release dosage form (immediate release Sandostatin® Injection).
- Sandostatin LAR® Depot incorporates octreotide into microspheres of the biodegradable glucose star polymer, D,L-lactic, and glycolic acids copolymer (1).
- Slow drug release accompanies the biodegradation of the polymer ester bond through hydrolysis (2).
- Sandostatin LAR® Depot has a different pharmacokinetic profile than immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, allowing for once-monthly injections.
Sandostatin LAR® Depot formulation releases octreotide slowly over time
Why Conversion to Sandostatin LAR® Depot is Important
For your patients already taking immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, conversion to Sandostatin LAR® Depot is important because:
- The constant octreotide acetate levels achieved with Sandostatin LAR® Depot are as effective as immediate release Sandostatin® Injection in achieving biochemical and symptom control.
- Long-term maintenance therapy with Sandostatin LAR® Depot improves medication compliance.
References
- Lancranjan I, Bruns C, Grass P, et al, Sandostatin LAR®: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and tolerability in acromegalic patients. Metabolism. 1995;44(Suppl 1):18-26.
- Oberg K, Kvols L, Caplin M, et al, Consensus report on the use of somatostatin analogs for the management of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic system. Ann Oncol. 2004;15(6):966-73.
