Octreotide

The recommended dose and dosing schedule of octreotide varies according to the specific condition being treated, the response to therapy, and the other medications or treatments being used. Short-acting octreotide is injected under the skin (subcutaneous) of the hip, thigh, or abdomen 2 to 4 times daily. Long-lasting octreotide is injected by a health care professional into the gluteal muscle (the buttocks) every 4 weeks. When used to treat bleeding in the esophagus and stomach, octreotide is given intravenously (into a vein).

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

If you are giving yourself injections, it is important to use Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) exactly as prescribed by your doctor and to follow the instructions included with the medication very carefully. Do not use Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) if it is discoloured or there are particles floating in it.

If you miss a dose of the short-acting medication, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

It is important that the long-acting form of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive octreotide, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Octreotide can cause a number of side effects. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor, as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable)?"

For prolonged storage, the short-acting form of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) is stored in the refrigerator in its original carton (to protect it from light) and kept out of the reach of children. For day-to-day use, store Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) at room temperature for up to 2 weeks and protect it from light.

The long-acting form of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) is stored in the refrigerator in its original carton (to protect it from light) but can be kept at room temperature on the day it is injected.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Single-Use Vials

Each mL contains 50 µg, 100 µg or 500 µg of octreotide as acetate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: glacial acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, mannitol, and water for injection.

Multidose Vials

Each multidose vial contains octreotide as acetate 1,000 µg (200 µg/mL). Nonmedicinal ingredients: glacial acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, mannitol, phenol, and water for injection.

Octreotide should not be used by anyone who is allergic to octreotide or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between octreotide and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Amiodarone
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• Bromocriptine
• Ceritinib
• chloroquine
• Citalopram
• Cyclosporine
• diabetes medications (e.g., Glyburide, insulin, Linagliptin, Metformin, Repaglinide, Rosiglitazone, Saxagliptin)
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• Disopyramide
• dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• Fingolimod
• Flecainide
• Galantamine
• Guanfacine
• Indacaterol
• Lacosamide
• Lanreotide
• lopinavir
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Methadone
• methyldopa
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Pasireotide
• Pegvisomant
• pentamidine
• procainamide
• Propafenone
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, Nilotinib, Sunitinib)
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• Rivastigmine
• saquinavir
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• sotalol
• Tetrabenazine
• Tizanidine
• Verapamil

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable).

Blood sugar levels: Octreotide can cause high or low blood sugar. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels closely while you are using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), especially when you start treatment or when the dose is changed. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., tiredness, fatigue, shakiness, headache, difficulty concentrating, hunger, blurred vision) or high blood sugar (e.g., excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss) contact your doctor. People with Diabetes should monitor their blood sugar regularly while using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) and report any changes in blood sugar control to their doctor.

Gallbladder problems: Octreotide may cause gallbladder problems including gallstones. Your doctor will periodically monitor for this with an ultrasound. If you have had gallstones, discuss with your doctor how Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart effects: In rare cases, Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may cause abnormal heart rhythms or changes in your heart function. If you experience shortness of breath or a slow or irregular heartbeat, contact your doctor immediately. If you have any heart conditions, discuss with your doctor how Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, discuss with your doctor how Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable).

Nutritional issues: Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may decrease the amount of fats and vitamin B12 that are absorbed by your body. Your doctor will monitor for these effects with stool and blood tests.

Thyroid problems: Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may cause Hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Your doctor will monitor you for this with blood tests. If you experience symptoms of low thyroid (e.g., weight gain, tiredness, slow heart rate, feeling cold, or dry skin, swelling at the front of the neck), contact your doctor. If you have a thyroid condition, discuss with your doctor how Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable). Women using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable) to treat acromegaly may be more likely to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to use birth control while using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable).

Breast-feeding: It is not known if octreotide passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable), it may affect your baby. It is recommended that women not breast-feed while using Octreotide (Octreotide-injectable).

Children: Information regarding the use of octreotide for children is limited, although it is used mostly for children with a condition called hyperinsulinism (too much insulin in the body). Long-term use of octreotide for children can affect their growth.