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|Sandostatin

Sandostatin

Sandostatin is used for:

Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by certain types of cancer. It is also used to treat acromegaly in certain patients as well as other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Sandostatin is a somatostatic agent. It works by reducing blood levels of a variety of hormones (eg, growth hormone) and chemical messengers (eg, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide), which cause disease symptoms.

Do NOT use Sandostatin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Sandostatin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Sandostatin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Sandostatin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have gallstones or gallbladder problems, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, heart problems, or pancreas problems
• if you are on dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sandostatin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cyclosporine because its effectiveness may be decreased by octreotide
• Bromocriptine, quinidine, or terfenadine because side effects may be increased by octreotide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sandostatin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Sandostatin :

Use Sandostatin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Sandostatin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Sandostatin at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Sandostatin contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Allow the solution to come to room temperature before using. Do not warm or thaw Sandostatin with hot water or by placing in the microwave.
• Rotate injection sites to avoid using the same injection site within several days.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Sandostatin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sandostatin .

Important safety information:

• Sandostatin may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Sandostatin . Using Sandostatin alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Diabetes patients - Sandostatin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Sandostatin may cause low blood sugar (eg, increased heartbeat, headache, chills, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting) or high blood sugar (eg, thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor). If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately.
• Use Sandostatin with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• LAB TESTS, including growth hormone levels and thyroid function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Sandostatin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Sandostatin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Sandostatin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Sandostatin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; high blood sugar; loose stools; low blood sugar; nausea; pain; pain at the injection site; slow heartbeat; stomach pain or discomfort; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abdominal tenderness; blurred vision; dizziness; headache; hunger; irregular or slow heartbeat or other heart problems; severe stomach pain; shakiness; stomach bloating or swelling; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Store Sandostatin in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C), for long-term storage. Do not freeze. Sandostatin can be stored at room temperature, between 70 and 86 degrees F (21 and 30 degrees C), for 14 days. Protect from light. Allow the solution to come to room temperature before using. Do not warm or thaw Sandostatin with hot water or by placing in the microwave. Once opened, throw away multiple-dose vials after 14 days. Open single-dose vials just before use and throw away unused portion. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Sandostatin , as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Sandostatin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Sandostatin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Sandostatin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.