Sandostatin
Sandostatin is a medicine that helps regulate the body's production of certain hormones, such as growth hormone.
Form
injektio-/infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
500 mikrog/ml
Active Ingredient
Octreotide
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
The dose depends on the condition being treated, typically 0.05-0.2 mg as an injection under the skin.
Method
The medicine is given as an injection under the skin in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen, or as an infusion into a vein.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 1.5 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Gallstones causing sudden back pain
- •High blood sugar
- •Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) which can change heart rate, appetite, weight, cause fatigue, cold sensation, or swelling in the neck
- •Changes in thyroid function tests
- •Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), with symptoms like upper right abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and yellow skin/eyes (jaundice)
- •Low blood sugar
- •Impaired glucose tolerance
- •Slow heart rate
- •Diarrhea
- •Abdominal pain
- •Nausea
- •Constipation
- •Flatulence (gas)
- •Headache
- •Local pain at the injection site
- •Stomach discomfort after meals
- •Vomiting
- •Feeling of fullness in the stomach
- •Fatty stools
- •Loose stools
- •Changes in stool color
- •Dizziness
- •Loss of appetite
- •Changes in liver function tests
- •Hair loss
- •Shortness of breath
- •Weakness
RARE
- •Thirst, low urine output, dark urine, dry and red skin
- •Fast heart rate
- •Hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions), including skin rash
- •Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) with difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling, tingling, dizziness, or fainting, possibly with low blood pressure
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), with symptoms like sudden upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- •Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), with symptoms like yellow skin/eyes (jaundice), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, general malaise, itching, pale urine
- •Irregular heartbeats
- •Low platelet count in the blood, which may increase bleeding or bruising
Important Warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had gallstones, or experience symptoms like fever, chills, stomach pain, or yellow skin/eyes, as long-term use can cause gallstones.
- Inform your doctor if you have high (diabetes) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugar, as your blood sugar levels need to be monitored.
- Let your doctor know if you have a history of vitamin B12 deficiency, as they may want to check your B12 levels regularly.
- Octreotide can slow your heart rate and, at very high doses, cause abnormal heart rhythms; your doctor may monitor your heart rate during treatment.