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 you. 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 download and print these questions, and bring them with you on your next doctor visit. There is also space in the printable version for you to write your own questions.
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 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?
Download a printable version (PDF 92KB) of these questions.
About Maintaining Sandostatin® LAR Depot
Once you're receiving Sandostatin® LAR Depot, from time to time you may want to ask:
- 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?
Download a printable version (PDF 91KB) of these questions.
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. 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.
