It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that octreotide is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Octreotide may increase your risk of having gallstones (cholelithiasis), which may lead to swelling of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), bile ducts (cholangitis), or pancreas (pancreatitis). Check with your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, indigestion, fever, chills, pains in the stomach or side, possibly radiating to the back, fast heartbeat, dark urine, bloating, or yellow eyes or skin.
Octreotide may cause your blood sugar levels to rise or fall. It may cover up signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as a change in your pulse rate. If you notice a change in the results of your blood sugar or urine sugar test, check with your doctor.
Octreotide may cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). Check with your doctor right away if you have constipation, a depressed mood, dry skin and hair, cold skin, hair loss, hoarseness or husky voice, muscle cramps and stiffness, a slow heartbeat, weight gain, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you had a heart rhythm problem, such as QT prolongation.
Octreotide may cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using octreotide.
Octreotide may improve fertility in some women, which could increase the risk for unplanned pregnancies. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using octreotide. The results of some tests may be affected by octreotide.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
