Somatuline - Lanreotide Injection
What is this medication?
LANREOTIDE (lan REE oh tide) treats high levels of growth hormone (acromegaly). It is used when other therapies have not worked well enough or cannot be tolerated. It works by reducing the amount of growth hormone your body makes. This reduces symptoms and the risk of health problems caused by too much growth hormone, such as diabetes and heart disease. It may also be used to treat neuroendocrine tumors, a cancer of the cells that release hormones and other substances in your body. It works by slowing down the release of these substances from the cells. This slows tumor growth. It also decreases the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome, such as flushing or diarrhea.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Somatuline Depot
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Diabetes
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatic disease
- Thyroid disease
- An unusual or allergic reaction to lanreotide, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
This medication is injected under the skin. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medication?
- Bromocriptine
- Cyclosporine
- Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
- Certain medications for diabetes
- Quinidine
- Terfenadine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.
You may need blood work while you are taking this medication.
This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.
Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.
Do not breast-feed while taking this medication and for 6 months after stopping therapy.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
- Increase in blood pressure
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—pale, blue or purple skin or lips, sweating, fussiness, rapid heartbeat, poor feeding, low body temperature
- Low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism)—unusual weakness or fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, feelings of depression
- Oily or light-colored stools, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss
- Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Stomach pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Somatuline
Self-Care Tips:
- If you do not move your bowels after 2 days, notify your healthcare provider.
- For flu-like symptoms, keep warm with blankets and drink plenty of liquids. There are medications that can help reduce the discomfort caused by chills.
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help relieve discomfort from fever, headache and/or generalized aches and pains. However, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking it.
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals.
- Avoid sun exposure. Wear SPF 30 (or higher) sunblock and protective clothing.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Sudden pain in your upper right stomach area
- Sudden pain in your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades
- Yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
- Fever with chills
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Changes in your blood sugar (high blood sugar or low blood sugar). If you have diabetes, test your blood sugar as your healthcare professional tells you to. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of diabetes medication especially when you first start receiving Somatuline® Depot Injection or your dose of Somatuline® Depot Injection changes.
- Slow heart rate
- High blood pressure
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
