If you have been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome, your doctor may have determined that Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is the right treatment for your severe diarrhea and flushing. It is important to understand how Sandostatin® LAR Depot can help, so be sure to speak with your doctor about any questions you may have regarding your therapy.
You can print these questions, and bring them with you on your next doctor visit.
There are 3 sets of questions, depending on where you are in your treatment. You can ask your doctor:
- About Carcinoid Syndrome and Treatment Options
- About Starting Sandostatin® LAR Depot
- About Maintaining Therapy With Sandostatin® LAR Depot
About Carcinoid Syndrome and Treatment Options
- What are the goals of my treatment for carcinoid syndrome?
- How does my treatment with Sandostatin® LAR Depot help me reach these goals?
- What will you monitor or test me for?
- Can you tell me what my current test results are?
- What can I do to help you track my symptoms?
- How does Sandostatin® LAR Depot help to control the severe diarrhea and flushing associated with carcinoid syndrome?
- What do you think is the appropriate dose of therapy to achieve these goals?
- Can my dose be adjusted?
- What can I do if I have sudden, severe symptoms?
- Are there any side effects of treatment?
- How often do I need this treatment?
About Starting Therapy With Sandostatin® LAR Depot
Before starting 28-day injections of Sandostatin® LAR Depot, your doctor will start you on daily self-administered doses of immediate-release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection. During this time, it's important to keep close tabs on your symptoms and any side effects you may experience. When you visit your doctor, you may want to ask:
- Can I take immediate-release Sandostatin® Injection with other medications?
- When will my current dose be reviewed?
- When will I be switched to 28-day Sandostatin® LAR Depot?
- What is my current 5-HIAA level?
- What is my target 5-HIAA level?
- When should I expect to notice symptom relief?
- What side effects of therapy should I look for?
About Maintaining Therapy With Sandostatin® LAR Depot
Once you're receiving Sandostatin® LAR Depot, you may want to ask from time to time:
- Should my current dose be reviewed?
- Should I be using immediate-release Sandostatin® Injection in addition to my monthly injection?
- What is my current 5-HIAA level?
- What is my targeted 5-HIAA level?
- Do I show any signs of developing gallstones?
- Do I show any signs of low or high glucose levels?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make?
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is a prescription medicine 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: Treatment with Sandostatin LAR Depot may affect gallbladder function, sugar metabolism, thyroid and heart function, and nutritional absorption, which may require monitoring by your doctor.
Before taking Sandostatin LAR Depot: Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease or are taking other medications, including: cyclosporine, insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, beta-blockers, and bromocriptine.
Common side effects: Most patients experience side effects at some time. Some common side effects you may experience include:
- Acromegaly: diarrhea, gallstones, abdominal pain, and flatulence
- Carcinoid tumors: back pain, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and dizziness
Other information: Patients with carcinoids tumors and VIPomas should adhere closely to their scheduled return visits for reinjection in order to minimize exacerbation of symptoms. Patients with acromegaly should adhere to their return visit schedule to help assure steady control of GH and IGF-1 levels.
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.
