Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is a
somatostatin analogue. As such, its effects in the body are similar to those of the naturally occurring hormone, except that Sandostatin® LAR Depot remains active much longer than somatostatin1.
Although the exact mechanism of action in carcinoid syndrome and VIPomas is still unclear, octreotide suppresses the release of the peptides and amines from the tumor and inhibits their action, thereby suppressing the severe diarrhea and flushing associated with this disease2.
Unique MOA of Sandostatin® LAR Depot Slows Intestinal Transport
- Hypersecretion by the small bowel causes rapid gastrointestinal (GI) transit and leads to accumulation of fluid in the colon and profuse volumes of watery stool3
- Sandostatin® slows GI transit and increases fluid absorption by over 400%4
(763KB) Duration: 1 min, 35 sec
See how Sandostatin® LAR Depot works to suppress the overproduction of certain peptides and amines associated with carcinoid syndrome. You will need the Macromedia Flash Player to view the animation.
Important Safety Information
Carcinoid Syndrome:
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for long-term treatment of the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and for the long-term treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIP-secreting tumors in patients in whom initial treatment with immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection has been shown to be effective and tolerated.
Important Safety Information:
As with immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, the most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were biliary disorders (62%), gastrointestinal disorders (14% to 38%), and injection-site pain (20% to 50%). Hypoglycemia (4%), hyperglycemia (27%), sinus bradycardia (19%), conduction abnormalities (9%), and arrhythmias (3%) have been reported.
The controlled clinical trials that support the marketing clearance for Sandostatin® LAR Depot did not include determination of effect on tumor size or rate of growth. Sandostatin® LAR Depot is not indicated for tumor shrinkage.
Acromegaly
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery and/or radiotherapy, or for whom surgery and/or radiotherapy is not an option. The goal of treatment in acromegaly is to reduce GH and IGF-1 levels to normal.
Important Safety Information:
As with immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, the most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were biliary disorders (52%), gastrointestinal disorders (7% to 36%), and injection-site pain (2% to 11%). Hypoglycemia (2%), hyperglycemia (15%), and hypothyroidism (2%) have been reported. While not measured in acromegalic patients receiving Sandostatin® LAR Depot, ECG changes have been reported in patients receiving immediate release Sandostatin® Injection; the degree to which these abnormalities are related to octreotide acetate is not clear, as many acromegalics have cardiovascular disease. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
