Octreotide side effects

Octreotide belongs to the line of injectable drugs with many different strengths such as: 50 mcg/ 1 mL, 100 mcg/ 1 mL, 500 mcg/ 1 mL. Each drug will be prescribed for individual patient cases. For Octreotide 0.1 mg/ml is used to treat severe diarrhea and a few other conditions. Actively learning about your medication will help you find a more effective way to use it.

The active ingredient Sandostatin is Octreotide, a synthetic compound derived from somatostatin. Therefore, the drug works by inhibiting the effects of certain hormones such as growth hormone.
Currently, Octreotide is indicated for use in the following cases:
Normally, growth hormone has the main task of controlling the growth of tissues, organs and bones. Therefore, the drug effectively reduces the symptoms of acromegaly such as headache, excessive sweating, numbness of hands and feet, fatigue... The drug works to reduce symptoms. Typical associated with gastrointestinal tumors: flushing, diarrhea, rash, and weight loss. Octreotide is also effective in preventing complications after surgery of the pancreas In addition, another typical effect is stopping bleeding from the esophageal veins, treating pituitary tumors that produce too much stimulating hormone. like thyroid...

Currently, Octreotide is prepared in 3 forms including: syringe, solution vial, powder medicine and extended-release capsule. In each object, the drug will have a different use.
Dosage in the treatment of diarrhea and some symptoms due to intestinal tumors. Patients initially injected 20 mg into the muscle over a 2 month treatment period. The patient is injected 2-3 times a day.
Treatment of acromegaly The doctor will inject a starting dose of 50mg into the muscle within 3 months. The patient is injected 2-3 times a day. The dose was adjusted based on GH concentration quantification 0-8 hours after octreotide injection, until GH and IGF-I levels returned to normal. Doses of 100 - 200 micrograms/time, 3 times a day, give maximum results in most patients.
Dosage of octreotide for prevention of complications from pancreatic surgery 100 micrograms of octreotide solution subcutaneously, 3 times a day, for 7 consecutive days.
Dosage in the treatment of VIP secretory tumors Treatment of watery diarrhea caused by VIP secretory tumors in adults should be injected subcutaneously with octreotide solution at a dose of 200-300 micrograms per day divided into 2-4 times, for 2 weeks.
Dosage in the treatment of carcinoid tumors To treat diarrhea and hot flashes caused by carcinoid tumors, firstly, octreotide should be used in solution form with an average dose of 300 micrograms per day, divided into 2-4 times, used for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, if the patient responds well to solution octreotide, it is recommended to switch to octreotide suspension, with an initial dose of 20 mg, intramuscularly for 2 months. In some cases, after discontinuing the solution, if symptoms persist, the solution must be continued for another 1-2 weeks.
Currently, the effectiveness of Octreotide in children under 18 years of age is limited. Therefore, when you intend to use it, you need to consult a professional doctor for appropriate advice.

To make the drug use process more effective, you must be aware of the following problems with Octreotide:
Need to tell your doctor if you are taking any medicine, whether prescribed or not If you are suffering from conditions such as: diabetes, gallbladder disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, thyroid problems, pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease, you should discuss this with your doctor. doctor before use. You may experience dizziness while taking the drug. This is considered a side effect when taking the drug. Do not drink alcohol, alcoholic beverages while taking the drug Octreotide drug overdose is not life-threatening. However, if the symptoms appear: irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, decreased oxygen supply to the brain, you need to go to the hospital to be checked. In case of missed dose, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue as usual. Missing a dose will not seriously affect your health, so don't worry too much. Once opened, the medicine can be stored < 30°C for up to 2 weeks. It is strictly forbidden to arbitrarily buy drugs for use without a doctor's prescription, because this has many potential health risks. Pain at the injection site, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, and flatulence are common side effects of the drug. In the case of taking medication, if you do not see an improvement, you should contact your doctor to discuss whether to continue taking the drug or change the drug. While this is important information about Octreotide, it is not a substitute for your doctor's advice. Therefore, the most important thing is to talk with your doctor to have the appropriate indications when taking the drug.