What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Somatostatin:
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, gallbladder disease, heart disease, thyroid problems, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease. If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use somatostatin or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
On the other hand, octreotide (a synthetic substitute of somatostatin) should not be used at the same time as cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®, Gengraf®). Talk to your doctor before using octreotide if you are using cyclosporine.
Moreover, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: bromocriptine (Parlodel®); diabetes medication such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol®), glyburide (Diabeta®, Micronase®), tolbutamide (Orinase®), metformin (Glucophage®), pioglitazone (Actos®), rosiglitazone (Avandia®), and others; medicine for heart disease or high blood pressure; or a diuretic (water pill). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use somatostatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect somatostatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without first telling your doctor.
Additionally, the safety of somatostatin during pregnancy and the period of breast feeding has not been established. Therefore somatostatin should not be used in pregnant women, during the period of lactation or in the pre- or post-natal period.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dosage and using this medicine
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
In case of an emergency/overdose