Octreotide

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Bynfezia Pen [DSC]; Mycapssa; SandoSTATIN; SandoSTATIN LAR Depot

Brand Names: Canada

Octreotide Acetate Omega; SandoSTATIN; SandoSTATIN LAR

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat diarrhea and flushing caused by cancer.
• It is used to treat acromegaly.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are or will be treated with a drug called lutetium Lu 177 dotatate.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• High or low blood sugar may happen in some patients after this drug is given. Talk with the doctor.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• If you have a latex allergy, talk with your doctor. Some products have latex.
• This drug may improve fertility in people who have fertility problems from acromegaly. This could lead to pregnancy. If you want to avoid pregnancy, use birth control while taking this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Capsules:

• Hormone-based birth control products that have levonorgestrel in them may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom if you are using a birth control product with levonorgestrel in it. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.

Prefilled syringes or pens:

• Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of low thyroid levels like constipation; not able to handle cold; memory problems; mood changes; or a burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Swelling.
• Stools that are loose, pale, oily, and smell bad; stomach bloating; and weight loss.
• Gallbladder problems have happened while taking this drug. Sometimes, people had to be treated in the hospital. In some cases, the gallbladder had to be removed. One death has happened. Call your doctor right away if you have signs like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

All products:

• Gas.
• Flu-like signs.
• Headache.
• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Hair loss.
• Back, muscle, or joint pain.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Signs of a common cold.

Capsules:

• Sweating a lot.

All injection products:

• Pain, swelling, redness, or bruising where the injection was given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Capsules:

• Take this drug on an empty stomach. Take at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after a meal.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, open, or crush.
• Take with a full glass of water.
• Press gently at the edge of the blister to remove a capsule. Do not use two thumbs to push it out of the blister, or press the middle of the capsule. If you break or crack a capsule, throw it away.

All short-acting injection products:

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh or the belly area.
• This drug may be given into the outer area of the upper arm if given by someone else.
• If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Before giving the shot, let it come to room temperature. Do not heat this drug.
• Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Do not give into skin within 2 inches of the last injection.
• Do not give into skin within 2 inches (5 cm) of the belly button.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Prefilled syringes or pens:

• Remove all pen needle covers before injecting a dose (there may be 2). If you are not sure what type of pen needle you have or how to use it, talk with the doctor.
• Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.
• Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.

Vials:

• It may be given into a vein by a doctor or other health care provider.

Long-acting injection:

• It is given as a shot into a muscle.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Capsules and all short-acting injection products:

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Long-acting injection:

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Capsules:

• Store unopened containers in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• After first use, store at room temperature. Throw away any part not used after 30 days.

Prefilled syringes or pens:

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Protect from light.
• Do not use if it has been frozen.
• After first use, store at room temperature for up to 28 days. Throw away any part not used after 28 days.
• Take off the needle after each shot. Do not store this device with the needle on it.

Short-acting injection (vials and prefilled syringes):

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Store in the original container to protect from light.
• You may store unopened containers at room temperature. If you store at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 2 weeks.
• Some products may be used more than one time. If your product may be used more than one time, be sure you know how long you can store it before you need to throw it away.

Long-acting injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-11-11

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