From the Guidelines
Lanreotide can cause several side effects, including gastrointestinal issues, gallstones, and changes in blood sugar levels, that patients should be aware of before starting treatment. The most common side effects of lanreotide include:
- Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling)
- Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting)
- Gallstones
- Decreased blood sugar levels
- Fatigue Some patients may also experience headaches, dizziness, and hair loss. More serious but less common side effects include heart rhythm abnormalities, thyroid function changes, and pancreatitis. Lanreotide can also affect blood test results, particularly liver function tests and blood glucose levels. These side effects occur because lanreotide is a somatostatin analog that inhibits various hormones in the body, which while beneficial for treating conditions like acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors, can affect multiple body systems 1. Patients should report persistent or severe side effects to their healthcare provider immediately, especially symptoms like severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or unusual heart rhythms. Regular monitoring through blood tests and medical check-ups is essential while on lanreotide therapy to manage these potential side effects effectively.
The side effects of lanreotide are similar to those of other somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide, and can be managed with proper monitoring and treatment adjustments 1. It is essential to weigh the benefits of lanreotide treatment against the potential risks and side effects, and to closely monitor patients for any adverse reactions. By doing so, healthcare providers can help patients with neuroendocrine tumors and other conditions to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life while minimizing the risk of side effects.
In terms of specific side effects, lanreotide has been shown to cause fat malabsorption, gall stones, and gall bladder dysfunction, as well as headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, and hypo- and hyperglycaemia 1. These side effects can be managed with proper treatment and monitoring, and patients should be educated on how to recognize and report any adverse reactions. Overall, lanreotide is a valuable treatment option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors and other conditions, and its potential side effects can be managed with proper care and monitoring.
From the FDA Drug Label
1 Patients with any Adverse Reactions1579235686 Gastrointestinal disorders1217123557 Diarrhea81 48155 37 Abdominal pain34 2079 19 Nausea15 946 11 Constipation9 533 8 Flatulence12 730 7 Vomiting85287 Loose stools169236 In the pooled clinical studies of SOMATULINE DEPOT therapy, a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) reactions occurred, the majority of which were mild to moderate in severity. The most commonly occurring adverse reactions in the pooled analysis were:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Loose stools
Other adverse reactions reported include:
- Cholelithiasis (20% of patients)
- Sinus bradycardia (7% of patients)
- Hypertension (7% of patients)
- Anemia (7% of patients)
- Arthralgia (7% of patients)
- Headache (9% of patients)
- Injection site pain (4%) and injection site mass (2%)
- Dysglycemia (hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes) (14% of patients)
- Muscle spasm (5% of patients)
- Dizziness (7% of patients)
- Depression (7% of patients)
- Dyspnea (6% of patients) The side effects of lanreotide are numerous and varied, affecting different systems in the body, including gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems 2.
From the Research
Lanreotide Side Effects
- The administration of lanreotide did not cause significant side effects, apart from transient abdominal pain and pain at the injection site in two patients 3.
- In one patient with gastrinoma, lanreotide was suspended due to the appearance of attacks of marked hypoglycemia 3.
- Somatostatin analogues, including lanreotide, may exert different hormonal effects on glucose homeostasis, and their use may be associated with impaired insulin secretion and reduced insulin sensitivity 4.
- Lanreotide treatment may worsen glucose load (2h-OGTT) and increase HbA1c levels, but does not affect fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 5.
- The toxicity profile of lanreotide is mostly predictable, and patients should be informed of the transient nature of some of the upfront toxicities, including gastrointestinal symptoms and pain at the injection site 6.
- Lanreotide is generally well tolerated, with low rates of treatment discontinuation due to toxicity 6.