Sandostatin Lar
Sandostatin LAR is a medicine that helps control hormone levels in your body to treat conditions like acromegaly and certain tumors.
Form
injektiokuiva-aine ja liuotin, suspensiota varten
Strength
20 mg
Active Ingredient
Octreotide acetate
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose is a 20 mg injection given every 4 weeks for the first 3 months.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection deep into your buttock muscle. The injection site should be alternated between the left and right buttock for repeated doses.
Important
This is a long-acting injection given once every 4 weeks. The maximum single dose given at one time is 40 mg. There is no daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Gallstones causing sudden back pain
- •High blood sugar levels
- •Diarrhea
- •Stomach pain
- •Nausea
- •Constipation
- •Gas
- •Headache
- •Pain at the injection site
- •Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
- •Changes in thyroid function tests
- •Gallbladder inflammation
- •Low blood sugar levels
- •Impaired glucose tolerance
- •Slow heart rate
- •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 red skin
- •Fast heart rate
- •Allergic reactions, including skin rash
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with difficulty swallowing/breathing, swelling, itching, dizziness, or loss of consciousness and low blood pressure
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) with sudden upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis) with yellow skin/eyes, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, general illness, itching, pale urine
- •Irregular heartbeat
- •Low blood platelet count, which may increase bleeding or bruising
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to octreotide or any of its ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have gallstones or symptoms like fever, chills, stomach pain, or yellow skin/eyes, as long-term use can cause gallstones.
- If you have diabetes, this medicine can affect your blood sugar levels, so your doctor will need to check them regularly.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby, talk to your doctor. Women who can get pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment.
- Some side effects, like headache and tiredness, might affect your ability to drive or use machines safely.