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Drug Formulary
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octreotide

( awk-TREE-oh-tide )
Other Name(s): Sandostatin® (multiple brands available), Sandostatin® LAR™ (Novartis)
Appearance: Long-acting- LAR kit; Short-acting- colourless solution available in ampoules or in multi-dose vials
pdf download octreotide patient.pdf
pdf download octrotide pour le patient.pdf

Medication Information Sheet
octreotide (awk-TREE-oh-tide)
This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.

Other Name: Generic brand(s) available, Sandostatin®, Sandostatin® LAR™

Appearance:
Long-acting- LAR kit; Short-acting- colourless solution available in ampoules or in multi-dose vials

What is this medication for?
  • For controlling symptoms such as severe diarrhea or flushing. These symptoms may occur with certain cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
What should I do before I have this medication?
  • Tell  your doctor if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had any allergies.
  • Octreotide may harm the unborn baby.
  • Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
  • Do not use octreotide if you are pregnant. If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug: Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
  • Do not breastfeed while on octreotide treatment.
  • Effects on Fertility: Unlikely
  • Effects on Fertility: Unlikely
How is this medication given?
  • Short-acting octreotide is given by injection under the skin (self-administration)

  • Long-acting octreotide is given by injection into the muscle (by your nurse or doctor).

  • Be sure to visit your doctor for your repeat injection. Speak to your health care professional to see what drugs and supplies you need to bring for your next visit.
What else do I need to know while on this medication?

  • This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.

  • Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.

How should I safely store this medication?
  • Store in original packaging away from heat, light or moisture. Keep refrigerated; do not freeze. Short-acting octreotide may be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • Dispose of any partly used ampoules.  Do not throw out any unused drugs at home. Bring them to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
  • Proper disposal of used drug containers, needles and syringes is very important. Ampoules, needles and syringes should never be reused. They must always be disposed in a puncture resistant container.  Ask your pharmacist for help.
What are the side effects of this medication?
The following side effects are common or severe. You may not have all of the side effects. Other side effects may occur. If you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms, discuss with your doctor.

Side effects and what to do When to contact doctor?
More Common Side Effects

Diarrhea

  • May occur days to weeks after the drug is given / after treatment starts
  • Drink plenty of clear fluids. Limit hot, spicy, fried foods, foods/drinks with caffeine, orange or prune juice. 
  • Try a low-fiber BRAT diet (Bananas, white Rice, Apple sauce, Toast made with white bread).
  • Take anti-diarrhea drug(s) if given to you by your doctor.
  • Also see Diarrhea pamphlet.*
  • May have excess fat in bowel movements.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe
Reactions at the injection site (redness, itchiness, bruising, mild rash or swelling) Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Nausea and vomiting

  • May occur in hours to days after the dose is given/ after treatment starts.
  • Drink clear fluids and avoid large meals. Get fresh air and rest.
  • Limit spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
  • Take anti-nausea drug(s) exactly as directed by your doctor. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it.
  • Contact your doctor if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting for more than 24 hours.  Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet.*
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Side effects and what to do When to contact doctor?
Less Common Side Effects, but may be Severe

Liver problems
(yellow skin or eyes, dark urine)

 Get emergency medical help right away

Allergic reaction
(fever, severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness)

  • May occur during or shortly after the drug is given.
 Get emergency medical help right away

Heart problems
(irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, swelling, shortness of breath)

 Get emergency medical help right away

Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood)

Blockage of an artery (blood vessel) in your heart, brain, chest, belly, or limbs; this may result in stroke (sudden loss of vision, speech, or the use of your limb(s)) or heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath), or pain in chest, belly or limb

 Get emergency medical help right away

Gall bladder problems
(severe pain and tenderness in the upper right belly, pain may spread to your right shoulder or back, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes)

 Get emergency medical help right away

Malabsorption

 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

High blood sugar 

  • Check your own blood sugar if you are diabetic.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Low blood sugar
(Hungry, shaky, dizzy, nervous, weak, confused)

  • Check your blood sugar if you are diabetic.
  • Sweetened lemonade, glucose tablets, or candy can help increase blood sugar levels in mild cases.
  • If you are confused or unconscious, your caregiver will need to get emergency medical help for you right away.
 Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Pancreas problems
(increased pain in centre of belly and may extend to back, appetite or weight loss)

 Get emergency medical help right away

For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.

The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.

A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.

Funding & Reimbursement

Several payment sources exist for cancer drugs in Ontario, depending on the drug, disease indication, and how and where it is delivered.

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Symptom Management

Many people living with cancer experience nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms from their treatment or disease.

View Symptom Management

Drug Safety and Administration

Find documents on drug safety and administration for healthcare providers, including calculations and recommendations.

View Drug Safety and Administration