Octreotide 50 Micrograms/Ml Solution For Injection Or Concentrate For Solution For Infusion
Octreotide 50 micrograms/ml,
100 micrograms/ml and 500 micrograms/ml Solution for injection or Concentrate for solution for infusion
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
TEVA UK Ref: 231-30-61204-B LEA OCTREOTIDE A/S SOLN TEVAH <GOD Version: 2 08 October 2014
1. What Octreotide is and what it is used for
2. Before Octreotide is used
3. How to use Octreotide
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Octreotide
6. Further information
OWHAT OCTREOTIDE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Octreotide is a synthetic form of a hormone called somatostatin which occurs naturally in the body. It helps stop the release of some hormones, including growth hormone, in the body.
Octreotide is used:
• To treat acromegaly
Acromegaly is a condition where the body produces too much growth hormone. The level of growth hormone controls the growth of tissues, organs and bones. Too much hormone means the size of bones and tissues, especially in the hands and feet, is larger than normal. The symptoms of acromegaly include headache, excessive perspiration, numb hands and feet, tiredness and joint pain. In most cases, the overproduction of growth hormone is caused by an enlargement in the pituitary gland (a pituitary adenoma).
Octreotide is used to treat people with acromegaly; • when other types of treatment for acromegaly (surgery or radiotherapy) are not suitable or have not worked;
• after radiotherapy, to cover the interim period until the radiotherapy becomes fully effective;
• before surgery on the pituitary gland
• To relieve stomach or bowel symptoms associated with certain tumours known as 'gastroenteropancreatic' tumours (rare tumours of the stomach, bowels or pancreas)
Overproduction of specific hormones and other related natural substances can be caused by some rare conditions of the stomach, bowels or pancreas. This upsets the natural hormonal balance of the body, and results in a variety of symptoms, such as flushing, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, rash and weight loss. Treatment with Octreotide helps to control these symptoms.
• To prevent complications following pancreatic surgery
Octreotide can be used in some patients when they have an operation on the pancreas. It may help reduce some of the problems which can occur in the abdomen after the operation, such as inflammation (swelling) and infection.
A BEFORE octreotide is used
You should NOT be given Octreotide
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to octreotide acetate or any of the other ingredients of Octreotide (see section 6)
• if you are breast-feeding.
Take special care with Octreotide
• if you are pregnant
• as octreotide may affect your blood sugar levels. You or your doctor should closely monitor your blood sugar levels
• if you have any thyroid problems, or have had a disease which may have affected your thyroid • if you have any problems with your liver, or have you had a disease which may have affected your liver • if you have ever suffered from gallstones or other stomach problems
• if you have a history of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Yourdoctormay need to monitor yourvitamin B12 levels during therapy with octreotide.
Your doctor may want to give you a check up from time to time while you are being treated with Octreotide.
Growth hormone secreting pituitary tumours may sometimes expand and cause problems. Tell your doctor if you experience any problems with your eyes or sight.
Tell your doctor if your stomach or bowel problems get worse.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following medicines, including medicines obtained withouta prescription.
• Insulinorotherdrugsfordiabetes
• Ciclosporin (a drug used after a transplant)
• Cimetidine (a drug used to reduce stomach acid)
• Bromocriptine (a drug used in Parkinson's disease or in acromegaly or to suppress breast milk)
• Medicines to control blood pressure (beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers) or agents to control fluid and electrolyte balance (diuretics)
• Medicines metabolised by the liver for example carbamazepine (a drug used in psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathy), digoxin (medicine forcertain heart problems) and warfarin (a drug used to thin the blood) and terfenadine (to relieve allergic symptoms).
Please tell your doctor or hospital pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained withouta prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicines. You should not use Octreotide if you are pregnant unless you have been told by your doctor that it is absolutely necessary for you to do so. You should not breast-feed your infant whilst receiving treatment with octreotide, unless you have been told to do so.
Driving and using machines
Octreotide may make you feel dizzy. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery. Remember that if you are unwell your ability to operate machinery may be affected.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Octreotide
Octreotide50 micrograms/ml, 100 micrograms/ml and 500 micrograms/ml Solution for injection or Concentrate for solution for infusion contains less than 1 mmol sodium perdose, i.e. essentially "sodium-free".
Other Special Warnings
• Tell your doctor if your stomach or bowel symptoms get worse
• Octreotide should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant
• Women of child bearing potential must use an effective contraceptive method during treatment with Octreotide.
j3^ HOW TO USE OCTREOTIDE
Always use Octreotide exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of anything.
Your medicine must be injected subcutaneously i.e. into the tissue under the skin. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to do this. If you are unsure, go back and ask for advice. You must use a clean, sterile syringe and needle every time.
The upper arms, thighs and stomach are good areas for subcutaneous injection. Choose a different place each time so that you don't irritate a particular area. Keep changing the injection site. Don't inject into the same place too frequently.
To avoid side effects like stomach ache, wind, diarrhoea and constipation do not inject at mealtimes. Inject between meals or before going to bed.
In rare cases Octreotide will have to be injected intravenously (into a vein). If this is necessary the doctor or nurse will do it and monitor you closely. You must NOT injectOctreotide into yourveins yourself.
The usual dosages are given below; however your doctor will decide what dosage to give to you, as this depends on the nature of your treatment, your age and your medical condition:
For the treatment of acromegaly
• The usual dose is 0.1 to 0.2 mg three times a day bysubcutaneous injection. Dependingon how you respond, your doctor will adjust the dose until they find the right dose.
To relieve symptoms caused by over-production of some hormones
• Your doctor will usually start your treatment with 0.05 mg once or twice daily by subcutaneous injection. Dependingon howyou respond, your doctor may gradually increase the dose until they find your ideal dose.
The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only:
Instructions for use, handling and disposal:
For single use only.
Octreotide is an injection and a concentrate for solution for infusion. This must be handled with caution. The dilution must be done under aseptic conditions, by trained staff and in a specific area. The contact of Octreotide with skin and membranes should be avoided.
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If the solution comes into contact with the skin: wash with water and soap. If the solution comes into contact with membranes, wash (irrigate) the affected area with water.
To reduce local discomfort, let the solution reach room temperature before injecting. Avoid multiple injections at short intervals at the same time.
Storage:
Storage conditions:
Before opening: Store in a refrigerator 2-80C, protected from light. Do not freeze.
After opening: The product must be used immediately
TEVA UK Ref: 231-30-61204-B LEA OCTREOTIDE A/S SOLN TEVAH <GOD Version: 2 08 October 2014
Uncommon:
• Dehydration
• Fast heart beat.
Frequency not known:
• Anaphylaxis (a type of allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness), allergy/hypersensitivity reactions
• Itchy rash
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Liver inflammation (hepatitis); symptoms may include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, generally feeling unwell, itching, light-coloured urine
• Irregularheartbeat
• Liverdysfunction.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
A HOW TO STORE OCTREOTIDE
Keep out ofthe reach and sight of children.
Do not use Octreotide after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Storage conditions:
Before opening: Store in a refrigerator 2-80C, protected from light. Do notfreeze.
After opening: The product must be used immediately and any unused drug-product must be discarded.
After dilution: The chemical and physical stability of Octreotide solution diluted in 9 mg/ml (0.9%) sodium chloride solution for infusion has been demonstrated for 24 hours when stored below 250C. From a microbiological pointofview, the product should be used immediately, if not used immediately, storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
Do not use unless the solution is clear and free from visible particles.
For single use only.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
16 FURTHER INFORMATION
What Octreotide contains
• The active substance is octreotide (as the acetate). Each ml of solution for injection or concentrate for solution for infusion contains 50 micrograms,
100 micrograms and 500 micrograms ocreotide.
• The other ingredients are glacial acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate (E262), mannitol (E421) and water for injections.
What Octreotide looks like and contents of the pack
Octreotide50 micrograms/ml, 100 micrograms/ml and 500 micrograms/ml Solution for injection or Concentrate for solution for infusion is a clear and colourless solution. The solution is supplied in colourless glass vials closed with serum rubber stoppers and sealed with aluminium flip-off caps fitted with plastic flip-off discs. The product is packed in cardboard boxes.
Octreotide50 micrograms/ml, 100 micrograms/ml and 500 micrograms/ml solution for injection or concentrate forsolution for infusion is available in pack sizes of1,3, 5, 6, 10, 20 and 30 vials.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder
Teva UK Limited, Eastbourne, BN22 9AG,
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Teva Pharmaceutical Works Private Limited Company H-2100 Godollo Tancsics Mihaly ut 82 Hungary
This leaflet was last revised in October 2014.
PL 00289/1257 PL 00289/1264-5
To prevent complications following pancreatic surgery
• 0.1 mgthreetimesa dayforsevendaysstartingon the day of the operation.
People with liver or kidney problems may be given a smaller dose.
There is very little experience of using octreotide in children
Ifyou receive more Octreotide than you should
If you are concerned that you may have been given too much Octreotide, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
If you miss a dose of Octreotide
As you will be given this medicine under close supervision, it is very unlikely that you will miss a dose. If you think that you have missed a dose of treatment, tell a doctor or nurse at once.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
ft POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Octreotide can cause side effects, although noteverybody gets them.
Most people who are prescribed Octreotide benefit from taking it, but a few people can be upset by it. If you are receiving this medicine on a long term basis then you will go to hospital from time to time to have regular check-ups.
There is no need to worry if you suffer from any of the following common reactions at the site of injection:
• Pain, stinging, tingling, burning, redness and swelling. These rarely last for more than 15 minutes and will be less if you let your medicine reach room temperature before injecting.
Some side effects can be serious. Stop takingOctreotide and tell your doctor straight away if you notice that:
• Yourface becomes flushed orswollen oryou develop spots or a rash
• Your chest feels tight, you become shortof breath or wheezy
• You feel faint, possibly as a result of a fall in blood pressure.
These might be a result of an allergic reaction.
If you develop any of the following see your doctor immediately:
• Prolonged/troublesome bloating of the stomach with pain
• Nausea/vomitingassociated with drowsiness
• Feelingrestlessorgiddy
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes
• Acute pancreatitis (sudden, severe, burning pains in the stomach). This may happen within the first few hours or days of treatment and resolves itself upon drug withdrawal.
The following side effects have also been reported and the approximate frequencies shown:
Very common (>1/10)
Common (>1/100 to <1/10)
Uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100)
Rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000)
Very rare (<1/10,000)
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data) Very common:
• Stomach ache, nausea, wind, diarrhoea or constipation. (These will be less if you inject between meals or before going to bed)
Changes in blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) Headache Gallstones
Local pain at the site of injection.
Common:
Slow heart beat Hair loss Itching Rash
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Changes in blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
Impaired glucose tolerance
Stomach discomfort after a meal
Vomiting
Bloated stomach
Loose faeces (stools)
Discolouration of faeces
Fat in your faeces (pale and fatty loose stools)
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Biliary sludge
Yellow skin and eyes
Abnormal liverfunction testresults
Changes in activity of the thyroid gland
(hypothyroidism) causing changes in heart rate,
appetite or weight, tiredness, feeling cold or
sweating too much, anxiety or swelling at the
front of the neck.
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and any unused drug-product must be discarded. After dilution: The chemical and physical stability of Octreotide solution diluted in 9 mg/ml (0.9%) sodium chloride solution for infusion has been demonstrated for 24 hours when stored below 250C. From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately, if not used immediately, storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
Do not use unless the solution is clear and free from visible particles.
Disposal:
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
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