Octreotide LAR: Recommended Use and Dosage

Indications for Use

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends Octreotide LAR for control of symptoms in patients with carcinoid syndrome, with dose and frequency adjustments based on symptom control 1, 2
Octreotide LAR is indicated for control of tumor growth in patients with clinically significant tumor burden or progressive neuroendocrine tumors, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggests Octreotide LAR for management of symptoms in patients with functional neuroendocrine tumors, including gastrinomas and VIPomas 1

The initial dosage of Octreotide LAR is 20-30 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
Therapeutic levels of Octreotide LAR are not achieved until 10-14 days after injection, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 3
Dose and frequency may be increased for symptom control as needed, as suggested by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2

Clinical symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea should be monitored to assess response in carcinoid syndrome, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2, 3
Imaging studies every 3-12 months are recommended to assess disease stability for tumor control, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 4

The PROMID study demonstrated that Octreotide LAR significantly extended time to tumor progression compared to placebo in patients with metastatic midgut NETs, as reported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
After 6 months of treatment, stable disease was observed in 66.7% of patients in the Octreotide LAR group compared to 37.2% in the placebo group, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
Long-term survival data from PROMID showed median overall survival was not reached in the Octreotide arm compared to 84 months in the placebo arm, as reported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 5

A cardiology consultation and echocardiogram should be considered in patients with carcinoid syndrome who have signs/symptoms of heart disease or are planning major surgery, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
Patients with carcinoid heart disease require careful monitoring, as suggested by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2
Patients with high 5-HIAA levels and frequent flushing episodes are at higher risk of carcinoid heart disease, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, 2