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Overview: Octreotide is used to treat certain conditions or tumors involving hormones. Common side effects include gallbladder problems, heart rate changes, and diarrhea. Serious side effects are less common, but may involve changes in your blood sugar or thyroid hormone levels. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Octreotide comes in several forms, including injections that can be given at home or by a health care provider.

Uses

What is octreotide used for?

Octreotide is commonly used to treat certain people with the following conditions.

  • Acromegaly, a condition caused when the body makes too much growth hormone
  • Diarrhea or flushing caused by types of carcinoid tumors
  • Severe, watery diarrhea caused by a type of neuroendocrine tumor, called vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas)

Octreotide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Octreotide is also available in a form that you take by mouth. See Mycapssa for more information.

How does octreotide work (mechanism of action)?

Octreotide acts like a natural hormone in your body called somatostatin. This medicine helps regulate other hormones in your body, such as growth hormone. It also helps reduce some symptoms caused by certain tumors.

How is octreotide supplied (dosage forms)?

Octreotide is available as an intramuscular (IM) injection that is given by a health care provider. It is also available as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in the following forms that you or a caregiver may administer.

  • 2500 mcg/ml prefilled pen
  • 50 mcg/mL, 100 mcg/mL, 500 mcg/mL injection
  • 50 mcg/mL, 100 mcg/mL, 500 mcg/mL single-dose syringe
  • 200 mcg/mL, 1000 mcg/mL multiple-dose vial

How should I store octreotide?

Prefilled Pens. Before using octreotide pens, they should be stored inside the carton, in a refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not freeze them. After using a pen, store it at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C) and may be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Throw away octreotide pens 28 days after using it for the first time.

Injections, Single-Dose Syringes, Multiple-Dose Vials. Octreotide injections, syringes, and multiple-dose vials should be stored in a refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Once it is removed from the refrigerator, octreotide may be stored at 70 F and 86 F (20 C and 30 C) for up to 14 days if protected from light.

Long-Acting Injectable. Long-acting octreotide injections are usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store them at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of octreotide?

The most common side effects of octreotide are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Gallbladder problems (see below)
  • Heart rate changes (see below)
  • Diarrhea or loose stools (poop)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach discomfort, stomach pain, upset stomach, or gas
  • High blood sugar (see below)
  • Low thyroid hormones (see below)
  • Headache
  • Joint or back pain
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of octreotide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of octreotide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of octreotide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Octreotide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using octreotide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Rhythm Changes. Octreotide may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest). It may also cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. Some people have a higher risk of this, which include people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat

Heart Rate Changes. Octreotide can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Gallbladder Problems. Using octreotide can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Octreotide may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using octreotide and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

High Blood Sugar. Octreotide may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider for blood tests. Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Your breath smelling fruity

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Octreotide can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Stop using octreotide and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Low Thyroid Hormones (Hypothyroidism). Octreotide can cause the function of your thyroid gland to change, which can lead to low thyroid levels. Your health care provider will likely check your thyroid hormone levels before and while you are using octreotide. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. 

Fatty Stool (Poop). Octreotide may make it harder for your body to absorb fats from food. This can cause you to have too much fat in your stool (poop), also called fatty stool. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms or your symptoms get worse.

  • Changes in the color of your poop
  • Loose poop
  • Stomach bloating
  • Weight loss

Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Octreotide may cause you to have low levels of vitamin B12 in your blood (possibly by decreasing the amount of vitamin B12 your body absorbs from things you eat or drink). Your health care provider may use lab tests to check your vitamin B12 levels while you are using octreotide. Keep all of your appointments, including lab appointments, while you are using octreotide.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use octreotide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use octreotide.

  • Bynfezia
  • Octreotide
  • Sandostatin
  • Sandostatin LAR
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific octreotide products they stock.

What should I know about octreotide before using it?

Do not use octreotide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share octreotide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep octreotide out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Your health care provider will likely make you get lab tests done before and during your treatment. This is to monitor your treatment and watch for side effects. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked.

There are multiple forms of octreotide injections available. Some are given at home and some are given by a health care provider. If you are using an octreotide product that can be given at home, read and follow the instructions for the product you have. This medicine is injected under the skin. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use octreotide. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

If you are able to get pregnant, octreotide may make it easier for this to happen. To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about your birth control options.

What should I tell my health care provider before using octreotide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if octreotide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • High blood sugar or diabetes
  • Heart problems, including heart failure
  • Liver problems, including cirrhosis
  • Kidney problems
  • Gallbladder problems or gallstones (cholelithiasis)

Other Medicines and Supplements. Octreotide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using octreotide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how octreotide could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if octreotide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use octreotide while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does octreotide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between octreotide injection and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect octreotide. The risk of dizziness may increase if you drink alcohol while using octreotide.

Does octreotide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using octreotide.

  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • Bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel), which is a medicine commonly used to treat symptoms of high prolactin hormone levels
  • Quinidine, which is a medicine used to treat malaria or control your heart rate or rhythm 
  • Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate (Lutathera), which is a medicine used to treat certain tumors

Octreotide may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with octreotide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much octreotide?

If you or someone else has used too much octreotide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of octreotide?

Missing doses of octreotide can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.

Injections. If you use octreotide at home and miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Long-Acting Injectable. Long-acting octreotide injections are usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving them as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your long-acting octreotide dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.

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