Useful Web Sites


Web Resources

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Acromegaly Informational Web Sites

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
http://www.aace.com

Pituitary Network Association (PNA)
http://www.pituitary.org

Society for Endocrinology
http://www.endocrinology.org/

The Endocrine Society
http://www.endo-society.org/

Carcinoid Syndrome Informational Web Sites

Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Network
http://www.carcinoidawareness.org or call 1-516-781-7814

Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, Inc.
http://www.carcinoid.org or call 212-722-3132

NANETS (North American NeuroEndocrine Tumor Society)
http://nanets.net

NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)
http://www.rarediseases.org

General Resources

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org or call 800-227-2345

ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
http://www.asco.org

CancerCare
http://www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE for information about support programs

Cancer.Net
www.cancer.net

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov

Arrange for a Sandostatin® Sales Specialist to contact your office

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for patients in whom initial treatment with immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection has been shown to be effective and tolerated for:

  • Long-term maintenance therapy in acromegalic patients who have had 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).
  • Long-term treatment of the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors.
  • Long-term treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIP-secreting tumors.

In patients with carcinoid syndrome and VIPomas, the effect of Sandostatin Injection and Sandostatin LAR Depot on tumor size, rate of growth and development of metastases has not been determined.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings and Precautions:
  • Gallbladder abnormalities may occur: Patients should be monitored periodically.
  • Glucose Metabolism: Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia may occur. Blood glucose levels should be monitored when Sandostatin LAR Depot treatment is initiated or when the dose is altered. Antidiabetic treatment should be adjusted accordingly.
  • Thyroid Function: Hypothyroidism may occur. Baseline and periodic assessment of thyroid function (TSH, total and/or free T4) is recommended.
  • Cardiac Function: Bradycardia, arrhythmia, conduction abnormalities, and other EKG changes may occur. The relationship of these events to octreotide acetate is not established because many of these patients have underlying cardiac disease. Use with caution in at-risk patients.
  • Nutrition: Octreotide may alter absorption of dietary fats. Monitoring of vitamin B12 levels is recommended during therapy with Sandostatin LAR Depot. Patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and octreotide should have periodic monitoring of zinc levels.

Drug Interactions: The following drugs require monitoring and possible dose adjustment when used with Sandostatin LAR Depot: cyclosporine, insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, beta-blockers, bromocriptine. Octreotide has been associated with alterations in nutrient absorption, so it may have an effect on absorption of orally administered drugs. Drugs mainly metabolized by CYP3A4 and which have a low therapeutic index should be used with caution.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions occurring in patients receiving Sandostatin LAR Depot are:

  • Acromegaly: biliary abnormalities (52%), diarrhea (36-48%), cholelithiasis (13-38%), abdominal pain or discomfort (11-29%), flatulence (26%), influenza-like symptoms (20%), constipation (19%), headache (15%), anemia (15%), hyperglycemia (15%), injection site pain (2-14%), hypertension (13%), dizziness (12%), fatigue (11%), nausea (10%), vomiting (7%), hypothyroidism (2%), hypoglycemia (2%), and goiter (2%).
  • Carcinoid Tumors and VIPomas: biliary abnormalities (62%), injection site pain (20-50%), nausea (24-41%), abdominal pain (10-35%), fatigue (8-32%), headache (16-30%), hyperglycemia (27%), back pain (8-27%), constipation or vomiting (15-21%), dizziness (18-20%), sinus bradycardia (19%), pruritus (18%), URTI (10-18%), myalgia (4-18%), flatulence (9-16%), arthropathy (8-15%), rash (15%), generalized pain (4-15%), sinusitis (5-12%), conduction abnormalities (9%), hypoglycemia (4%), and arrhythmia (3%).

Important Safety Information

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