Sandostatin Caution For Usage

Incompatibilities: Octreotide acetate is not stable in Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) solutions. It is generally not recommended to mix other medicinal products with octreotide in the same infusion bag or in the same cannula. Physical incompatibilities have been reported (e.g. with pantoprazole).
Instructions for Use and Handling: Subcutaneous administration: Patients who are to self-administer the drug by s.c. injection must receive precise directions from the physician or the nurse.
To reduce local discomfort, it is recommended that the solution should be at room temperature before injection. Multiple injections at short intervals at the same site should be avoided.
Ampoules should be opened just prior to administration, and any unused portion discarded.
Intravenous infusion: Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for discoloration and particulate matter prior to administration.
Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) is physically and chemically stable for 24 hours in sterile physiological saline solutions or sterile solutions of dextrose (glucose) 5% in water. However, because Sandostatin can affect glucose homeostasis, it is recommended that physiological saline solutions be used rather than dextrose. The diluted solutions are physically and chemically stable for at least 24 hours below 25°C. From a microbiological point of view, the diluted solution should preferably be used immediately. If the solution is not used immediately, storage prior to use is the responsibility of the user and should be at 2° to 8°C. Before administration, the solution has to be brought to room temperature again.
The cumulated time between reconstitution, dilution with infusion media, storage in a refrigerator, and end of administration must not be longer than 24 hours.
In cases where Sandostatin is to be administered by i.v. infusion, the contents of one 0.5 mg ampoule should normally be dissolved in 60 mL physiological saline, and the resulting solution should be infused by means of an infusion pump. This should be repeated as often as necessary until the prescribed duration of treatment is reached. Sandostatin has also been infused in lower concentrations.
Special precautions for disposal: Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.