Get answers to your patient's questions about the Sandostatin® Nurse Home Injection Program for your patients with acromegaly
Click below for answers to frequently asked questions.
- Am I eligible for this program based on my medical and pharmaceutical coverage?
- According to my disease state, am I a candidate for this program?
- What are the main benefits of the Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program?
- Is flexible scheduling available?
- How is my nurse selected?
- How does my Sandostatin® LAR Depot get to my home?
- Will I still see my physician regularly?
- Does this involve a lot of paperwork on my part?
To print a complete list of questions and answers, click here
Frequently asked questions
Q: Am I eligible for this program based on my medical and pharmaceutical insurance coverage?
A: The Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) Nurse Home Injection Program is intended as a benefit for all eligible acromegaly patients for whom Sandostatin® LAR Depot has been prescribed. Residents of all states except Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Rhode Island can participate. Currently, reimbursement for home injections is provided to members of most commercial plans (eg, HMO, PPO). Patients with government-provided medical insurance (eg, Medicare Parts B and D, or Medicaid) are not covered. Eligibility can be determined by calling BioScrip®, the company that coordinates this program on behalf of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Anyone can call 1-888-LAR-4759 (1-888-527-4759) for confirmation of eligibility.
Q: According to my disease state, am I a candidate for this program?
A: This program is for patients with acromegaly only. If the patient has been prescribed Sandostatin® LAR Depot for the first time, the initial dose of therapy must be given in a physician's office or clinic. Further evaluation by each patient's physician of his/her disease state and comorbidities may determine whether or not the patient is a candidate. Those who receive Sandostatin® LAR Depot for other conditions are not eligible at this time. If the patient has an approved insurance plan and qualifies clinically, enrollment is easy.
Q: What are the main benefits of the Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program?
A: The Program provides appropriately and conveniently delivered therapy.
- Responsibility for appropriate administration of Sandostatin® LAR Depot is assumed by the registered nurse.
- No guesswork: Patients receive the right dose at the right time using the right technique.
The program offers nursing evaluation and follow-up
- Provides ample time for nurses to answer treatment-related questions.
- The nurse reports to the patient's physician after each visit.
- The nurse makes the next appointment and will follow up with a reminder.
Q: Is flexible scheduling available?
A: The home visit provides the convenience of home care with the quality of a clinical experience. Incorporating Sandostatin® LAR Depot into your schedule is easy. This program enables patients to receive therapy beyond the traditional office hours if necessary. Evenings and weekends may be possible.
Q: How is my nurse selected?
A: Specially trained registered nurses are selected by BioScrip® to administer injections in the home. All nurses have been fully instructed and evaluated in their knowledge of acromegaly, the prescribing information for Sandostatin® LAR Depot, and the mixing and injection process. All nurses in the program are continuously monitored by Nurse Coordinators at BioScrip® and are in regular contact with the prescribing physician.
Q: How does my Sandostatin® LAR Depot get to my home?
A: Patients may continue to get their prescriptions for Sandostatin® LAR Depot in their current manner. Insurance coverage for the drug is independent of coverage eligibility for home injections. Depending on a patient's pharmacy coverage, the drug may be shipped to the patient's home or local pharmacy for pickup. These details can be worked out with a BioScrip® Case Coordinator.
NOTE: Sandostatin® LAR Depot must be refrigerated immediately upon receipt and until use.
Q: Will I still see my physician regularly?
A: Yes. Physician evaluation and biochemical testing will still occur at appropriate intervals. Many patients with acromegaly are tested every 3 months and some are evaluated every 6 months. Patients will still adhere to the office schedule directed by their physicians. The only difference is that monthly injections will be administered at home. Schedules are planned according to nursing orders from the physician.
Q: Does this involve a lot of paperwork on my part?
A: No. The enrollment form, which you can download here, will be filled out at the physician's office, signed by the patient, and faxed to BioScrip®. Most of the communication after this takes place by phone. The Nurse Coordinator calls patients for interviews and assessments prior to the first visit. All scheduling is done by the nurses and is communicated to the scheduler at BioScrip®.
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.
