Once you and your doctor have decided that immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection is well tolerated and effective for you, you can begin every 28-day injections with Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension). After the first monthly injection, in certain conditions you will be asked to continue taking daily injections for 2 more weeks—just to make sure you have good symptom control while the Sandostatin® LAR Depot starts working.
After 2 or 3 months on Sandostatin® LAR Depot, your doctor will assess your progress to see if the dosage should be adjusted. Remember to always report any symptoms as accurately as possible so your doctor will know the best dosage for you. Remember also that it is important to maintain a regular, every 28-day schedule of visiting your healthcare professional.
Find out about reimbursement for Sandostatin® LAR Depot.
Find out about the Nurse Home Injection Program for Sandostatin® LAR Depot.
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.
