Dosing & Administration
For the severe diarrhea and flushing associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors,
THE ONLY SSA WITH MULTIPLE DOSING OPTIONS
Flexible Dosing
MULTIPLE DOSING OPTIONS CAN HELP EFFECTIVELY MANAGE PATIENTS' SYMPTOMS
Flexible dosing with 10-mg, 20-mg, and 30-mg options allow for up or down titration with Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate) for injectable suspension in 10-mg increments from the recommended starting dose of 20 mg. See dosing flowchart below.
If symptoms are adequately controlled on 20 mg, you may consider a dose reduction to 10 mg for a trial period. If symptoms recur, dosage should then be increased to 20 mg every 4 weeks
If symptoms are not adequately controlled on 20 mg, you are able to increase the dose to 30 mg every 4 weeks
Doses higher than 30 mg are not recommended
Sandostatin LAR Depot should be administered by a trained health care provider.
DOSING WITH SANDOSTATIN LAR DEPOT
UTILIZING THE FULL LINE OF SANDOSTATIN
Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Immediate-Release Injection and Sandostatin LAR Depot can be used to initiate treatment, titrate treatment, and treat flare-ups. After an initial 2-week starting dose, patients who respond to and tolerate Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection may switch to Sandostatin LAR Depot, which offers dosing once every 4 weeks.
Short-acting Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection should be continued for at least 2 weeks following initial injection of Sandostatin LAR Depot 20 mg
After 2 months, adjust dose of Sandostatin LAR Depot based on symptom control
Despite good overall control of symptoms, patients may experience periodic exacerbation of symptoms. During these periods, they may be given Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection for a few days at the dosage they were receiving prior to switching to Sandostatin LAR Depot, until symptoms are again controlled
DOSING FLOWCHART
aFor patients with carcinoid tumors, starting dosages of Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection range from 100 mcg/d to 600 mcg/d in 2 to 4 divided doses. For patients with VIPomas, starting dosages range from 200 mcg/d to 300 mcg/d in 2 to 4 divided doses.
SHORT-LIVED PAIN ON INJECTION
Pain on injection, which is generally mild to moderate and short-lived (usually about 1 hour), is dose related. Injection sites should be rotated between the right and left gluteus to avoid irritation.
In patients with carcinoid syndrome who kept a diary, pain at the injection site was reported by about 20% to 25% at the 10-mg dose and by about 30% to 50% at the 20- and 30-mg doses
FOR PATIENTS NOT CURRENTLY RECEIVING OCTREOTIDE ACETATE
Begin therapy with Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection and continue for at least 2 weeks.
For carcinoid tumors | Suggested daily dosage ranges from 100 mcg/d to 600 mcg/d in 2 to 4 divided doses (mean daily dosage is 300 mcg/d) during the first 2 weeks of therapy. Some patients may require doses of up to 1500 mcg/d. |
For VIPomas | Suggested daily dose is 200 mcg to 300 mcg in 2 to 4 divided doses (range, 150-750 mcg). Dosages over 450 mcg/d are usually not required. Doses may be adjusted on an individual basis. |
PATIENTS CURRENTLY RECEIVING SANDOSTATIN IMMEDIATE-RELEASE INJECTION
Patients who tolerate their dose and whose symptoms of severe diarrhea and flushing are already controlled with Sandostatin Immediate-Release Injection should add Sandostatin LAR Depot according to the dosing regimen described below.
Add Sandostatin LAR Depot |
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After 2 months, consider dose adjustment |
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DOSING FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Renal failure | In patients with renal failure requiring dialysis, the starting dosage should be 10 mg every 4 weeks. In other patients with renal impairment, the starting dosage should be similar to that of a patient without renal failure (ie, 20 mg every 4 weeks). |
Hepatic impairment—patients with cirrhosis | In patients with established cirrhosis of the liver, the starting dosage should be 10 mg every 4 weeks. |
ASSESS THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TREATMENT
To assess therapeutic efficacy and safety of treatment, continued patient monitoring is necessary. Be sure to monitor for adverse events that may occur with Sandostatin LAR Depot. See the full Prescribing Information for more information.
Cholelithiasis and gallbladder sludge
Blood glucose levels
Vitamin B12 levels
Serum zinc concentrations in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Thyroid function (TSH, total and/or free T4)
5-HIAA, plasma serotonin, and plasma substance P
Plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
Mixing & Administration
It is important to closely follow the mixing instructions included in the packaging. Sandostatin LAR Depot must be administered immediately after mixing.
Downloadable resources for mixing and administration:
Instructions for Use
Step-by-Step Guide to Mixing and Administration
If you still have questions about the mixing and/or administration of Sandostatin LAR Depot, please call 1-888-NOW-NOVA (1-888-669-6682).
5-HIAA, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid; IR, immediate release; LAR, long-acting release; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone; VIPomas, vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors.