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Mycapssa is used to treat a condition caused when the body makes too much growth hormone. Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Serious side effects are less common but may include gallbladder problems, a slow heartbeat, or changes in your blood sugar or thyroid hormone levels. Mycapssa may make it easier for you to get pregnant. To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. 

Uses

What is Mycapssa used for?

Mycapssa (octreotide) is commonly used to treat acromegaly, a condition caused when the body makes too much growth hormone.

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

Other forms of octreotide are available. See Octreotide for more information.

How does Mycapssa work (mechanism of action)?

Mycapssa acts like a natural hormone in your body called somatostatin. The medicine helps regulate other hormones in your body, such as growth hormone. 

How is Mycapssa supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Mycapssa

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20 mg delayed-release capsules

How should I store Mycapssa?

Before taking a dose, Mycapssa should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not freeze Mycapssa. After opening the package, you can store Mycapssa at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C) for up to one month. Throw away any unused Mycapssa that has been stored at room temperature after one month. 

 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Mycapssa?

The most common side effects of Mycapssa are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea 
  • Pain in your joints 
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Excessive sweating

There may be other side effects of Mycapssa 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 Mycapssa?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Mycapssa may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Mycapssa 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 or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Gallbladder Problems. Taking Mycapssa 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). Mycapssa may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop taking Mycapssa 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. Mycapssa 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). Mycapssa 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 taking Mycapssa 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). Mycapssa can cause changes in your thyroid gland, which can lead to low thyroid hormone levels. Your health care provider will likely check your thyroid hormone levels before and while you are taking Mycapssa. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. 

Heart Rate or Rhythm Changes. Mycapssa may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to a lower than normal heartbeat (bradycardia) or 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
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat

Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Mycapssa 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 Mycapssa. Keep all of your appointments, including lab appointments, while you are using Mycapssa.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Mycapssa?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Mycapssa.

  • Mycapssa
  • Octreotide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Mycapssa.

What should I know about Mycapssa before using it?

Do not take Mycapssa unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

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

Keep Mycapssa 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.

Do not crush or chew the capsules. Be careful while removing a capsule so you can take it safely. Throw away any cracked or broken capsules. Follow the “Instructions for Use” that comes with your medicine.

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.

If you are able to get pregnant, Mycapssa may make it easier for this to happen. To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. Mycapssa may make some birth control pills not work well. See the Interactions section.

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

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 Mycapssa 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
  • Liver problems, including cirrhosis
  • Kidney problems
  • Gallbladder problems or gallstones (cholelithiasis)

Other Medicines and Supplements. Mycapssa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Mycapssa, 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 Mycapssa 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 Mycapssa 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 take Mycapssa while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Mycapssa?

For more information about Mycapssa, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.mycapssa.com or call them at 833-346-2277.

 

Interactions

Does Mycapssa interact with foods or drinks?

Do not take Mycapassa within one hour before a meal or within two hours after a meal.

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

Does Mycapssa 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 taking Mycapssa.

  • 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 
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
  • An antacid containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • A birth control pill 
  • Lisinopril (Qbrelis, Zestril), which is a medicine commonly used for high blood pressure or heart failure 

Mycapssa 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 Mycapssa. 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 Mycapssa?

If you or someone else has used too much Mycapssa, 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 Mycapssa?

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

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

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