Sandostatin Lar 20mg Injection

Sandostatin LAR 20mg Injection contains octreotide, a synthetic compound derived from somatostatin, a naturally occurring substance in the human body that inhibits the effects of certain hormones, including growth hormones.

It is indicated for reducing growth hormone levels in patients with acromegaly (a condition characterised by excessive growth hormone production, resulting in enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features, joint pain, and other manifestations) who cannot be treated with surgery, radiation, or other medications. The injection is also used to control diarrhoea and flushing associated with carcinoid tumours (slow-growing tumours that release natural substances capable of causing symptoms) and vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting adenomas (VIP-omas; tumours that develop in the pancreas and release natural substances capable of causing symptoms). It is employed to prevent complications following pancreatic surgery. Additionally, it is indicated to arrest bleeding and prevent re-bleeding from ruptured gastro-oesophageal varices in patients with chronic liver disease. The medicine is used to treat patients with pituitary tumours that produce excessive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) when other treatment options (surgery or radiotherapy) are unsuitable or ineffective, and after radiotherapy, to manage the interim period until radiotherapy achieves full efficacy.

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to octreotide or any other ingredient in this medicine. Inform your physician if you have gallstones, elevated or reduced blood glucose levels, vitamin B12 deficiency, or liver diseases. Sandostatin LAR 20mg Injection may lower your heart rate, and very high doses can cause abnormal cardiac rhythm; your doctor may monitor your heart function regularly during treatment. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before commencing treatment.

To treat acromegaly Relieve symptoms associated with some tumors of the GI tract To prevent complications following surgery of the pancreas gland To treat pituitary tumors that produce too much TSH

Octreotide in Sandostatin LAR 20mg injection, a cyclic octapeptide agent, inhibits growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin more effectively than the natural hormone somatostatin. The drug also reduces growth hormone and IGF-I (somatomedin C) in acromegaly, inhibits gallbladder contractions, reduces bile secretion, and suppresses thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion.

Always use this medicine as exactly prescribed by your doctor. Depending on the condition being treated, an infusion of Sandostatin LAR 20mg injection is given by either subcutaneous (under the skin) injection, intramuscularly (into the muscle of the buttocks), or intravenous (into a vein). A healthcare professional will always administer intravenous and intramuscular injections. If you are prescribed a subcutaneous injection, your doctor or other healthcare professional will explain how to inject the medicine under the skin

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. Common Diarrhea, flatulence Abdominal pain Back pain Tiredness Headache, nausea Serious Increased heart rate Changes in heart rhythm Increased or decreased blood sugar levels Changes in thyroid levels Vitamin B12 deficiency Gall stones

Regularly check blood sugar levels and inform your physician if you notice any changes such as increased or decreased blood sugar level. Female patients of reproductive potential use an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception, such as condoms, when the oral form of this medicine is used. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein, based on your condition. This medicine may improve fertility in women and can cause unwanted pregnancies. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.