Switched from Octreotide to Lanreotide monthly injections

As mentioned previously I was waiting for FDA approval for about 2 years for this new drug that I could tolerate more easily than the old drug called Octreotide. Both the old and the new one are somostatin analogues ( a man made version of a naturally occurring hormone called somostatin). They both reduce symptoms caused by the NET's and they also both inhibit tumor growth. Below is a description of Lanreotide. I had my first injection last week and it went well with less pain at injection and soreness in the week following. Group Health approved coverage for this new drug and I am the first Group Health member to get it. I'm sure many more NET patients will switch over time to the new drug.

I also finally got the medical report and the film on CD of the Stanford scan. I have sent it to Dr Feldman at Group Health, Dr. Shankaran at Caner Care Alliance and Dr. Pommier the surgeon at OHSU. I will meet with each of them to interpret the results and see how I might want to proceed with my care plan. I will be looking further into going to Germany for the PRRT treatment. More on the results of the scan and the PRRT in the future. Happy summer!
I'm swimming, doing yoga, gardening, taking little trips to see friends, walking the Seward Park loop, seeing family, enjoying my parents, husband, children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors and being grateful for every day and every breath.


Somatuline^® Depot - (lanreotide) Injection

 

to improve progression-free survival in gastrointestinal and pancreatic NETs*

*NETs=NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS

What is SOMATULINE DEPOT?

SOMATULINE DEPOT is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of adult patients with a type of cancer, known as neuroendocrine tumors, from the gastrointestinal tract or the pancreas (GEP-NETs) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery.

                                   

Contact Us

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
106 Allen Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: (866) 837-2422
Fax: (908) 275-6301      

           

           

www.somatulinedepot.com

INDICATION

Somatuline^® Depot (lanreotide) Injection 120 mg is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, well- or moderately differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) to improve progression-free survival.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications:

Somatuline is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to lanreotide.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Somatuline may reduce gallbladder motility and lead to gallstone formation. Periodic monitoring may be needed.
• Patients may experience hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Glucose level monitoring is recommended and antidiabetic treatment adjusted accordingly.
• Somatuline may decrease heart rate. In patients treated for GEP-NETs, the incidence of heart rate <60 bpm was 23% with Somatuline vs 16% with placebo. Incidence of heart rate <50 bpm or bradycardia was 1% in each group.
• Somatuline may decrease bioavailability of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine dose may need to be adjusted.

Adverse Reactions:

In the GEP-NET pivotal trial, the most common adverse reactions (incidence >10% and more common than placebo) in patients treated with Somatuline Depot vs placebo were abdominal pain (34% vs 24%), musculoskeletal pain (19% vs 13%), vomiting (19% vs 9%), headache (16% vs 11%), injection site reaction (15% vs 7%), hyperglycemia (14% vs 5%), hypertension (14% vs 5%), and cholelithiasis (14% vs 7%).
                                              

What are the possible side effects of SOMATULINE DEPOT?

SOMATULINE DEPOT may cause serious side effects, including:

• Gallstones. Tell your healthcare professional if you get any of these symptoms:
  • sudden pain in your upper right stomach area (abdomen)
  • sudden pain in your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades
  • yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes
  • fever with chills
  • nausea
• Changes in your blood sugar (high blood sugar or low blood sugar). If you have diabetes, test your blood sugar as your healthcare professional tells you to. Your healthcare professional may change your dose of diabetes medicine.
• Slow heart rate
• High blood pressure

The most common side effects of SOMATULINE DEPOT in people with GEP-NETs include stomach area (abdominal) pain, muscle and joint aches, vomiting, headache, and pain, itching, or a lump at the injection site.
SOMATULINE DEPOT may cause dizziness. If this happens, do not drive a car or operate machinery.