Did your doctor prescribe you a vaccine called "Lanreotide"? You may have felt a little strange when you heard this name. Because this is not a medicine that we hear every day, for the common cold or flu. This is a very important medicine that is given to treat several specific medical conditions. So, don't be afraid of anything. Today, we will talk simply and clearly about this vaccine, what it does, what things to be careful about when receiving it, and whether there are any side effects.
Simply put, what is Lanreotide?
Lanreotide is a synthetic medication that works like a natural hormone in our body. It is mainly used to treat three conditions.
- To control the condition of acromegaly: Some people's bodies produce too much growth hormone. This causes the bones of the hands, feet, and face to enlarge. This vaccine helps to control and reduce the excess growth hormone levels in patients with acromegaly.
- For neuroendocrine tumors: This is a specific type of cancer. Lanreotide can slow down or completely stop the growth of these types of tumors.
- Carcinoid Syndrome: This is the name given to a collection of symptoms, such as diarrhea and flushing, that are caused by certain neuroendocrine cancers. This medicine is also used to control those symptoms.
This medicine can be found in our country under the brand name `Somatuline Depot`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated
This is very important. Informing your doctor about other medical conditions you have is essential for the success of your treatment. See the table below.
| The situation or fact you have | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Because this medicine can affect blood sugar levels, the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted. |
| Gallbladder disease | This medicine may increase the risk of gallstones. |
| Heart disease | It is important to inform your doctor about this, as it may slow your heart rate. |
| Kidney or Liver disease | The dosage may need to be changed as it affects the elimination of the medication from the body. |
| Thyroid disease | Thyroid function may be affected. |
| Being allergic | Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to lanreotide or any other medications or foods. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This is very important. Tell your doctor immediately, as it could harm your unborn baby. |
| If you are a mother who is breastfeeding a baby | Breastfeeding should be avoided while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping. |
How is the vaccine given? What if a dose is missed?
This is not a vaccine that you can give yourself at home. This is a deep subcutaneous injection. Therefore, this vaccine is given in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical professional.
The most important thing is to not miss the day and time that the doctor has given you to get the vaccine. If for some reason you are unable to go on that day, be sure to call the doctor or clinic to inform them and schedule a later date.
If you think you have accidentally taken an overdose, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medicines you take can affect the way this lanreotide injection works. Lanreotide can also change the way other medicines work. Some examples are:
- Cyclosporine
- Bromocriptine
- Quinidine
- Terfenadine
- Some medications for diabetes
- Some medications for high blood pressure and heart disease
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, it is best to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements .
Side effects that may occur during treatment
As with any medication, there are some side effects that can occur. Some of them are common and not very serious. But some of them require immediate attention. Let's look at them separately.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Increased blood pressure | Symptoms of sudden increase in blood pressure. |
| Severe stomach pain | Unbearable, severe stomach pain. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | Thirst, hunger, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Symptoms of low blood sugar | Anxiety, dizziness, sweating, tremors, excessive hunger, loss of consciousness. |
| Abnormally slow heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating very slowly , fainting. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Changes in the digestive system | Constipation, diarrhea, nausea. |
| General inconveniences | Headache , dizziness, muscle pain or stiffness. |
| Discomfort at the injection site | Pain, redness, swelling, or a lump at the injection site. |
Take-Home Message
- Lanreotide is a vaccine given for several specific conditions and is only given in a hospital or clinic.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking .
- This medicine may cause changes in blood sugar levels. Be especially careful if you have diabetes.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, Talk to your doctor again and again about taking this medicine.
- Don't miss the dates given by the doctor. If for some reason you can't go, let him know in advance.
- If you experience any serious side effects (severe stomach pain, allergic reactions, major changes in blood sugar levels), seek medical advice immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What disease is the Lanreotide / Somatuline Depot vaccine used for?
This is no ordinary medicine! A highly effective (Somatostatin analog) injection injected deep subcutaneously into the buttocks once a month to stop 100% of growth in patients who are growing abnormally fast (like giants / Acromegaly) and control the growth of special tumors (Neuroendocrine tumors) in the stomach / intestines!
💬 How do you stop abnormal height/growth when taking this medicine (Lanreotide)?
The body grows rapidly because the pituitary gland in the brain releases 'Growth Hormone (GH)' abnormally! This vaccine is the same as the natural hormone 'Somatostatin' in the body! As soon as it enters the body, it goes to the pituitary gland and 100% deactivates the production of Growth Hormone. When the hormone is gone, the body stops growing right there.
💬 What are the dangers to be aware of when injecting this powerful growth regulator vaccine (Lanreotide)?
The biggest danger is the high risk of developing very large gallstones (chylolithiasis). This stops the gallbladder from contracting, causing bile to rot and form stones (which can cause chest tightness and severe stomach pain). It can also cause blood sugar levels to go up/down abnormally without control.
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