Uses
Lanreotide injection is used to treat people with acromegaly (condition in which the body produces too much growth hormone, causing enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features; joint pain; and other symptoms) who have not successfully, or cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. Lanreotide injection is also used to treat people with neuroendocrine tumors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the pancreas (GEP-NETs) that have spread or cannot be removed by surgery. Lanreotide injection is in a class of medications called somatostatin agonists. It works by decreasing the amounts of certain natural substances produced by the body.
Side Effects Of Lanreotide Injection
This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
Lanreotide injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- loose stools
- constipation
- gas
- vomiting
- weight loss
- headache
- redness, pain, itching, or a lump at the injection site
- depression
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach, center of the stomach, back, or shoulder
- muscle pain or discomfort
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- fever with chills
- nausea
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
- tightness in the throat
- difficulty breathing and swallowing
- wheezing
- hoarseness
- rash
- itching
- hives
- shortness of breath
- slowed or irregular heartbeat
Lanreotide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving lanreotide injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lanreotide injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lanreotide injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran); bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); insulin and oral medications for diabetes; quinidine (in Nuedexta), or terfenadine (no longer available in the U.S.). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, or gallbladder, heart, kidney, thyroid, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving lanreotide injection, call your doctor.
- you should know that lanreotide injection may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Dosage Of Lanreotide Injection
Lanreotide comes as a long-acting solution (liquid) to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the upper outer area of your buttock by a doctor or nurse. Lanreotide long-acting injection is usually injected once every 4 weeks. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Your doctor will probably adjust your dose or the length of time between doses depending on your lab results.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to lanreotide injection.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
