Once you and your doctor have decided that you have done well and have tolerated immediate-release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection, you can begin every 28-day injections with Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension). After the first monthly injection, your doctor may ask you 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 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 SandoSupport, a comprehensive collection of patient resources.
Find out about reimbursement for Sandostatin® LAR Depot.
Find out about the Nurse Home Injection Program for Sandostatin® LAR Depot.
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.
