Sandostatin Lar
Sandostatin LAR helps control certain hormones in your body, especially growth hormone, and its effects last longer than natural hormones.
Form
injektiokuiva-aine ja liuotin, suspensiota varten
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Octreotide acetate
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose is 20 mg given as an injection every 4 weeks. Your doctor may adjust this dose based on your condition.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection deep into the buttock muscle. For repeated doses, the injection site should be alternated between the left and right buttock.
Important
The maximum dose per injection is usually 40 mg, given every 4 weeks. This medicine is not for daily use.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Gallstones that cause sudden back pain.
- •High blood sugar levels.
- •Diarrhea.
- •Stomach pain.
- •Nausea (feeling sick).
- •Constipation.
- •Gas or bloating.
- •Headache.
- •Pain at the injection site.
- •Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which can cause tiredness, feeling cold, and swelling in the neck.
- •Changes in thyroid test results.
- •Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), with symptoms like pain in the upper right part of the belly, fever, nausea, and yellow skin or eyes.
- •Low blood sugar levels.
- •Difficulty controlling blood sugar.
- •Slow heartbeat.
- •Stomach problems after eating.
- •Vomiting.
- •Feeling full after eating only a little.
- •Fatty stools.
- •Loose stools.
- •Changes in stool color.
- •Dizziness.
- •Loss of appetite.
- •Changes in liver test results.
- •Hair loss.
- •Shortness of breath.
- •Weakness or fatigue.
RARE
- •Thirst, low urine output, dark urine, dry red skin.
- •Fast heartbeat.
- •Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) including rash.
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) causing difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling, itching, dizziness, or fainting, possibly with low blood pressure.
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), with sudden upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis), with yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, general feeling of illness, itching, and light-colored urine.
- •Irregular heartbeats.
- •Low platelet count in the blood, which can increase bleeding and bruising.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Sandostatin LAR if you are allergic to octreotide or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have gallstones or have had them before, or if you get symptoms like fever, chills, stomach pain, or yellow skin/eyes. Long-term use of Sandostatin LAR can cause gallstones. Your doctor may check your gallbladder regularly.
- Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, as Sandostatin LAR can affect your blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar should be checked regularly if you have diabetes.
- Tell your doctor if you have had a vitamin B12 deficiency, as your doctor may want to check your B12 levels regularly.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Use Sandostatin LAR during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Women who can get pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment. Do not breastfeed while using Sandostatin LAR.
Show 1 more warnings
- This medicine usually does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, side effects like headache and tiredness can affect your ability to drive and use machines safely.