(ok-TREE-oh-tide)

NEWLY DISCOVERED USES (OFF-LABEL)
Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
To control symptoms in metastatic carcinoid and vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors, for pancreatic tumors, gastrinoma, secretory diarrhea, and acromegaly

BRAND NAME
Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR

DRUG CLASS
Antidiarrheal, antisecretory (somatostatin analog)

DESCRIPTION
This drug mimics a natural drug in the body, somatostatin. It also decreases growth hormone in acromegaly (abnormal enlargement of limbs caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after maturity).

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Decreased heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, shortness of breath, changes in blood pressure or blood glucose, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, nausea, flushing, edema, fatigue, headache, dizziness, jaundice, hepatitis, liver toxicity, rash, hives, gallbladder abnormalities (such as stones, sludge, decreased contractility).

CAUTIONS
  • Has been associated with several, potentially severe gallbladder complications. Notify your doctor if you have a history of or currently have gallbladder problems.
  • Reduced dosage may be needed if you are elderly, have decreased kidney function or currently on dialysis.
  • May require monitoring to determine therapeutic response, or changes in blood glucose, thyroid, cardiac and liver function.
  • Dietary fat absorption may be altered during therapy and may require assessment.
  • If you are taking insulin or sulfonylurea, dosages may need to be reduced.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Insulin or sulfonylurea antidiabetic drugs, bromocriptine, cyclosporine, codeine

FOOD INTERACTIONS
This drug alters the absorption of fat in the diet and vitamin B12 levels, and periodically requires monitoring of this effect. Schedule injections between meals to decrease gastrointestinal effects.

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Unknown

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category B. Excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed during therapy.

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