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What is the most important information I should know about octreotide?

Before using octreotide, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney disease, gallbladder problems, or a thyroid disorder.

Octreotide should not be used at the same time as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf). Talk to your doctor before using octreotide if you are using cyclosporine.

Octreotide is given as an injection under the skin or into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine. Be sure to follow the instructions for the exact type of octreotide your doctor has prescribed for you.

While using octreotide, call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, fever, bloating, nausea and vomiting, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These may be signs of serious side effects

What is octreotide?

Octreotide is a man-made protein that is similar to a hormone in the body called somatostatin. Octreotide lowers many substances in the body such as insulin and glucagon (involved in regulating blood sugar), growth hormone, and chemicals that affect digestion.

Octreotide is used to treat acromegaly. Octreotide is also used to reduce flushing episodes and watery diarrhea caused by cancerous tumors (carcinoid syndrome) or tumors called vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIP adenomas).

Octreotide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using octreotide?

Before using octreotide, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes;

• gallbladder disease;

• heart disease;

• thyroid problems;

• pancreatitis;

• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use octreotide.

Octreotide is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether octreotide passes into breast milk. Do not use octreotide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.