Octreotide

What it is used for

Octreotide Acetate Injection is a somatostatin analogue indicated: Acromegaly: To reduce blood levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1; somatomedin C) in acromegaly patients who have had inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses.

Carcinoid Tumors: For the symptomatic treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors where it suppresses or inhibits the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with the disease. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Tumors (VIPomas): For the treatment of profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIP-secreting tumors.

Limitations of Use Improvement in clinical signs and symptoms, or reduction in tumor size or rate of growth, were not shown in clinical trials performed with Octreotide Acetate Injection; these trials were not optimally designed to detect such effects. Acromegaly Octreotide Acetate Injection is indicated to reduce blood levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1; somatomedin C) in acromegaly patients who have had inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses.

Carcinoid Tumors Octreotide Acetate Injection is indicated for treatment of severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Tumors Octreotide Acetate Injection is indicated for the treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas)-secreting tumors.

Important Limitations of Use Improvement in clinical signs and symptoms, or reduction in tumor size or rate of growth, were not shown in clinical trials performed with Octreotide Acetate Injection; these trials were not optimally designed to detect such effects.

Who should not take it

Sensitivity to this drug or any of its components.

Storing it

Storage

For prolonged storage, octreotide acetate single dose should be stored at refrigerated temperatures 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and protected from light. At room temperature (20°C to 30°C or 70°F to 86°F), octreotide acetate injection is stable for 14 days if protected from light. The solution can be allowed to come to room temperature prior to administration.

Do not warm artificially. Single dose vials should be opened just prior to administration and the unused portion discarded. Dispose unused product or waste properly. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex.