• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to octreotide or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Octreotide is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body.
• It decreases the amount of growth hormone produced by your body.
• It decreases insulin levels.
• It slows movement through the gastrointestinal tract allowing more water to be reabsorbed.
All forms:
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the shot at home.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
Sandostatin®:
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Move site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Esophageal bleeding: This medicine is given into a vein constantly for a period of time.
Sandostatin LAR®:
• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle once a month.
If medicine is given at home:
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
If medicine is given by healthcare provider:
• Call healthcare provider for appointment.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
Created: 2006-10-13 14:38:58.0
Modified: 2010-03-26 10:50:16.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sandostatin®:
• Store unopened vials in a refrigerator or at room temperature. If stored at room temperature, throw away after 2 weeks.
• Protect from light.
• Use right after opening.
Sandostatin LAR®:
• This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
Esophageal varicies:
• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• This medicine is used to treat diarrhea and flushing caused by cancer.
• This medicine is used to treat some causes of severe diarrhea.
• This medicine is used to treat acromegaly.
• This medicine is used to treat bleeding from esophageal varices in cirrhosis.
• This medicine is used to treat high insulin levels.
• This medicine is used to treat an overdose caused by drugs that treat diabetes.
• This medicine is used to help gastrointestinal tract openings close.
• This medicine is used to treat too much growth hormone release.
• This medicine is used to treat gastrointestinal bleeding.
• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a slow heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Belly pain.
• Gas.
• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
• Itching.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Short-term discomfort after use.
• High blood pressure.
• High blood sugar. Usually reverses when stopped.
• Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Acromegaly: Diarrhea.
• Gallstones may rarely occur.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
