GEP-NETs—gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors —are a rare form of cancer, mostly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut.
GEP-NETs start in cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system, which is made up of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. These cells help control many functions in the body, like how quickly food moves through and how food is digested by the GI tract.
WHAT ARE GEP‑NETs?
GEP-NETs—gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors—are a rare form of cancer, mostly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut.
GEP-NETs start in cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system, which is made up of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. These cells help control many functions in the body, like how quickly food moves through and how food is digested by the GI tract.
How are GEP-NETs found?
Many people with GEP-NETs don’t have symptoms. If the tumor is found, it’s often by chance. Some people may start to have symptoms if their tumor is growing.
Most of these tumors grow slowly. Any symptoms can be hard to pinpoint because they may mimic other diseases. That’s why doctors often think of more common diagnoses first. This can slow down a correct diagnosis—in some cases, for several years.
Potential signs and symptoms of GEP-NETs:
Cramps or abdominal/belly pain
Weight loss
Fatigue/feeling tired
Bloating
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Flushing*
*Flushing is a blushing appearance that suddenly appears on the face, neck, and other parts of the body.
What are some of the risk factors for GEP-NETs?
A family history of cancer
A long-term history of diabetes mellitus, particularly in women
Women who have both diabetes and a family history of cancer may be more prone to NETs than men
Do not take SOMATULINE DEPOT if you are allergic to lanreotide.
SOMATULINE DEPOT may cause serious side effects, including:
Gallstones
Fatty stool
Changes to your blood sugar (high or low blood sugar),
Slow heart rate, and
High blood pressure.
Tell your healthcare provider (HCP) if you have any of the following symptoms:
Symptoms of gallstones may include sudden pain in your upper right stomach area (abdomen), sudden pain in your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades, yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes, fever with chills, and nausea.
Fatty stool SOMATULINE DEPOT may cause your body to have issues absorbing dietary fats. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms including fatty stools, changes in the color of your stools, loose stools, stomach (abdominal) bloating or weight loss.
Symptoms of high blood sugar may include increased thirst, increased appetite, nausea, weakness or tiredness, urinating more than normal, and fruity smelling breath.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or lightheadedness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, irritability or mood changes, and hunger.
Symptoms of slow heart rate may include dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting or near-fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion or memory problems, and weakness or extreme tiredness.
The most common side effects of SOMATULINE DEPOT in people with:
GEP-NETs: stomach area (abdominal) pain; muscle and joint aches; vomiting; headache; pain, itching or a lump at the injection site
Carcinoid syndrome: headache, dizziness, muscle spasm; side effects were generally similar to those commonly seen with GEP‑NETs
SOMATULINE DEPOT may cause dizziness. If this happens, do not drive a car or operate machinery. Tell your HCP right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction after receiving SOMATULINE DEPOT, including swelling of your face, lips or tongue; breathing problems; fainting, dizziness or feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure); itching; skin flushing or redness; rash; or hives.
Before taking SOMATULINE DEPOT, tell your HCP about all your medical conditions including if you: have diabetes; have gallbladder, heart, thyroid, kidney or liver problems; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SOMATULINE DEPOT will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk. You should not breastfeed if you receive SOMATULINE DEPOT and for 6 months after your last dose. SOMATULINE DEPOT may affect your ability to become pregnant.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SOMATULINE DEPOT and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. SOMATULINE DEPOT may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how SOMATULINE DEPOT works. Your dose of SOMATULINE DEPOT or your other medications may need to be changed. If you have diabetes, your HCP may change your dose of diabetes medication when you first start receiving SOMATULINE DEPOT or if your dose of SOMATULINE DEPOT is changed.
Especially tell your HCP if you take:
Insulin or other diabetes medicines,
A cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, or Sandimmune), or
Medicines that lower your heart rate, such as beta blockers.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your HCP when you get a new medicine.
Tell your HCP if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of SOMATULINE DEPOT. For more information, ask your HCP.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-463-5127 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
What is SOMATULINE® DEPOT (lanreotide) Injection?
SOMATULINE DEPOT is a prescription medicine used in adults for:
the treatment of a type of cancer known as neuroendocrine tumors, from the gastrointestinal tract or the pancreas (GEP-NETs) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery; and
the treatment of carcinoid syndrome to reduce the need for the use of short-acting somatostatin medicine.
It is not known if SOMATULINE DEPOT is safe and effective in children.
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