Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable).
Blood sugar levels: Octreotide can cause high or low blood sugar. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels closely while you are using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), especially when you start treatment or when the dose is changed. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., tiredness, fatigue, shakiness, headache, difficulty concentrating, hunger, blurred vision) or high blood sugar (e.g., excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss) contact your doctor. People with Diabetes should monitor their blood sugar regularly while using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) and report any changes in blood sugar control to their doctor.
Gallbladder problems: Octreotide may cause gallbladder problems including gallstones. Your doctor will periodically monitor for this with an ultrasound. If you have had gallstones, discuss with your doctor how Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart effects: In rare cases, Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may cause abnormal heart rhythms or changes in your heart function. If you experience shortness of breath or a slow or irregular heartbeat, contact your doctor immediately. If you have any heart conditions, discuss with your doctor how Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, discuss with your doctor how Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable).
Nutritional issues: Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may decrease the amount of fats and vitamin B12 that are absorbed by your body. Your doctor will monitor for these effects with stool and blood tests.
Thyroid problems: Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may cause Hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Your doctor will monitor you for this with blood tests. If you experience symptoms of low thyroid (e.g., weight gain, tiredness, slow heart rate, feeling cold, or dry skin, swelling at the front of the neck), contact your doctor. If you have a thyroid condition, discuss with your doctor how Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable). Women using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable) to treat acromegaly may be more likely to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to use birth control while using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable).
Breast-feeding: It is not known if octreotide passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable), it may affect your baby. It is recommended that women not breast-feed while using Sandostatin LAR (Octreotide-injectable).
Children: Information regarding the use of octreotide for children is limited, although it is used mostly for children with a condition called hyperinsulinism (too much insulin in the body). Long-term use of octreotide for children can affect their growth.