Health Centres - Somatuline autogel
How does it work?
Somatuline autogel injection contains the active ingredient lanreotide, which is a type of medicine called a somatostatin analogue. It is similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body called somatostatin. Somatostatin is produced in various parts of the body, including the brain, gut and pancreas. It prevents the release of other hormones found in the body, such as growth hormone and insulin.
Lanreotide is used to relieve the symptoms of neuroendrocrine tumours. These are rare tumours that start in specialised nerve cells called neuroendocrine cells. These cells produce hormones and are part of the endocrine system, which is a network of glands in the body. Neuroendocrine tumours occur most commonly in the digestive system, but can also occur in other parts of the body. They often cause too much of a certain hormone to be produced. The type of hormone overproduced depends on the type of gland that is affected by the tumour.
Neuroendocrine tumours include gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumours and carcinoid tumours.
Carcinoid tumours are usually found in the intestines. They can produce excessive amounts of the hormone serotonin. The serotonin causes various symptoms, including diarrhoea, flushing and wheezing, that together are known as carcinoid syndrome.
Most GEP tumours develop in the organs of the digestive system. They usually start in the cells of the stomach (gastro), intestines (entero) and the pancreas.
The different types of GEP tumours are named after cells where they develop. Insulinomas occur in the pancreas, causing excessive amounts of insulin to be produced. This can cause a fall in blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia). Glucagonomas also occur in the pancreas, but these cause excessive amounts of glucagon to be produced. Glucagon increases blood sugar and tumours of this type can cause symptoms of diabetes.
VIPomas usually occur in the pancreas and produce too much of a substance called vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). This can cause watery diarrhoea.
Lanreotide mimics the action of natural sandostatin and so decreases the production of hormones produced by these types of tumours. Lanreotide only relieves the symptoms of these hormone-producing tumours, it does not cure the tumour.
Lanreotide is also used to treat acromegaly, which is a condition characterised by enlarged facial features, hands and feet, that results from excessive production of growth hormone by a tumour affecting the pituitary gland in the brain. Lanreotide decreases the production of the growth hormone and so treats the symptoms of the condition, however, again it does not cure the tumour. It is used when the levels of growth hormone still remain too high following surgery or radiotherapy to treat the pituitary tumour.
Somatostatin autogel is a long-acting depot injection of lanreotide that is given into the muscle of the buttock (intragluteal) every 28 days.
What is it used for?
- A condition called acromegaly that results from excessive production of growth hormone by a tumour in the pituitary gland. Characteristics of this condition include enlarged facial features, hands and feet.
Warning!
- Somatuline autogel should be stored in a fridge between 2
- This medicine may cause gallstones. An ultrasound examination of the gall bladder is recommended before treatment is started and at regular 6 month intervals during treatment.
- Your doctor may want to monitor your thyroid function if you are receiving long-term treatment with this medicine to treat acromegaly.
- There is insufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of this medicine in children. It is not recommended for children.
Use with caution in
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Diabetes mellitus
- Insulin producing tumour (insulinoma)
Not to be used in
- Allergy to any ingredient
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been established. It should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Pain, redness, itching and hardening of skin at site of injection
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reduced absorption of fat by the intestine resulting in fatty, pale and offensive smelling stools (steatorrhoea)
- High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)
- Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)
- Gallstones
- Feeling of weakness
- Fatigue
- Skin nodule
- Hot flushes
- Headache
- Decreased sex drive
- Increased sweating
- Itching
- Sleepiness
- Leg pain
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
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