Octreotide Acetate, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: octreotide acetate, injection; Sandostatin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat acromegaly. This condition occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone, causing the head, face, hands, or feet to grow too large.

This medicine may also be given to treat certain tumors that cause severe, watery diarrhea. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How do I use it?

Since you may need to have these shots from 2 to 4 times a day, your health care provider will give you careful instructions on how to give them to yourself, using good sterile technique. Follow the instructions exactly. If you cannot give yourself these shots, a family member or a friend may give them to you. Ask your health care provider about anything you do not understand.

What should I watch out for?

You may need regular lab tests to show how you are responding to the medicine and to check for side effects such as a decrease in thyroid function. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider): Severe diarrhea that continues, allergic reaction to this medicine (hives, itching, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing).

Other: Loose stools, stomach discomfort, nausea, bloating, headache, tiredness, weakness, pain at the spot of the injection.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.