Pasireotide is used to treat Cushing’s disease (a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones such as cortisol).
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not administer more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Pasireotide is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the top of the thigh or abdomen).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. If you or a caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of Pasireotide, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
How to use this medicine:
- Wash your hands with soap and water then dry them.
- Take the ampule out of the box and hold it at the bottom with one hand. Tap the top of the ampoule with your finger using your other hand. This is to make sure that there is no liquid at the top of the ampoule while you open it.
- Hold the ampoule with one hand. With your other hand, hold the top of the ampoule and pull it sideways, until the top snaps off the line marked on the ampoule neck. Put the ampoule on a clean and flat surface.
- Open the sterile needle package. Place the needle on the top of the syringe, push it down and rotate it clockwise until it is tight.
- Remove the needle cover and put the needle into the ampoule. Make sure the needle do not touch the outside of the ampoule. Pull the plunger up and draw all the liquid into the syringe.
- Get rid of the air bubbles in the syringe by holding it upright (in one hand between two fingers with your thumb at the bottom of the plunger) and tapping the syringe gently using your fingers from your other hand.
- Push up on the plunger until you see a drop of liquid on the tip of the needle.
- Wipe the injection site with alcohol swabs and let it dry.
- Gently pinch the skin at the injection site with one hand and pick up the syringe with other hand. Hold the syringe like a pencil and insert the needle into the pinched skin at a 45-degree angle using a quick dart like motion.
- Gently press the plunger all the way down until the syringe is empty.
- Slowly let go of the skin and gently pull the needle out of the skin.
- Place a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site and press for about 5 seconds.
- Dispose your used needles and syringes according to your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions. Do not throw away in household trash.
Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button).
Do not inject into inflamed or irritated skin.
Pasireotide must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
If a dose of this medicine is missed, the next injection should be administered at the scheduled time.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have severe liver disease as Pasireotide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- heart disease e.g. irregular (fast/slow) heartbeat, heart block, heart failure, unstable chest pain
- low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
- gallstones
- severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Your doctor may also need to perform tests (e.g. liver function test, ECG or electrocardiogram, blood sugar level, gallbladder imaging, pituitary function test) before you use Pasireotide and thereafter depending on your doctor’s advice.
Pasireotide may cause tiredness, weakness, and dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, decreased appetite, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, flu, muscle pain, dry skin, itching, hair loss, and swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands.
You may also experience redness, itching, pain, swelling, bruising, or a small amount of blood loss at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- sudden pain in the upper right stomach area, fever with chills
- darkening of skin, severe tiredness, unintentional weight loss, muscle or joint pain, salt craving, lightheadedness or fainting
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, moxifloxacin
- medicines for mental illness or mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine, pimozide, haloperidol, amisulpride, sertindole
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole
- medicines for malaria e.g. chloroquine, halofantrine, lumefantrine
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. metoprolol, propanolol, verapamil, diltiazem
- medicines for Parkinson’s disease (a brain disease that affects movement) e.g. rivastigmine
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, metformin
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pasireotide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used. Protect from light.
Do not use this medicine if it becomes cloudy or if it has changed in colour. Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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