Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin or muscle, or as a needle placed into one of your veins. This medicine may also be given at home to patients who do not need to be in a medical facility. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

This medicine usually comes with patient information or directions. Read them carefully and make sure you understand them before using this medicine. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

You might not use all of the medicine in each ampul or vial (glass container) or prefilled pen. Do not save an opened ampul or vial or prefilled pen. If the medicine in the ampul or vial or prefilled pen has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Some patients may feel pain, stinging, tingling, or burning sensations at the place where they inject the medicine. Injecting the medicine after it has been warmed to room temperature rather than cold from the refrigerator may reduce the discomfort. However, do not use heat to warm it faster because heat can destroy the medicine.

Put used needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant disposable container or dispose of them as directed by your doctor. Do not reuse needles and syringes.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For long-acting injection dosage form:
    • For treatment of acromegaly:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) injected into the buttocks once every 4 weeks for 3 months. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of severe diarrhea and other symptoms that occur with certain types of intestinal tumors:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) injected into the muscles once every 4 weeks for 2 months. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For short-acting injection dosage form (solution):
    • For treatment of acromegaly:
      • Adults—At first, 50 micrograms (mcg) given as a shot under the skin 3 times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of carcinoid tumors:
      • Adults—At first, 100 to 600 micrograms (mcg) per day, given in 2 to 4 divided doses, injected under the skin for the first 2 weeks. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1500 mcg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of severe diarrhea that occurs with certain types of intestinal tumors:
      • Adults—At first, 200 to 300 micrograms (mcg) per day, given in 2 to 4 divided doses, injected under the skin for the first 2 weeks. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 450 mcg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of the long-acting form of this medicine, contact your doctor.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may also keep the vials at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for up to 14 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

After first use of the prefilled pen, you can keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for up to 28 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 28 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.