How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Pasireotide belongs to the class of medications called somatostatin analogues. Somatostatin is a hormone that is responsible for controlling many processes in the body by blocking the action of other hormones.
Pasireotide is used to treat Cushing's disease, a condition that develops as a result of the body producing too much of a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It is used when surgery has not been successful or is not an option. Pasireotide works by blocking the production of ACTH. The maximum effect of this medication is usually seen within two months of starting it.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
0.3 mg/mL
Each 1 mL of clear, colourless, sterile solution contains 0.3 mg of pasireotide as pasireotide diaspartate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, sodium hydroxide, tartaric acid, and water for injection.
0.6 mg/mL
Each 1 mL of clear, colourless, sterile solution contains 0.6 mg of pasireotide as pasireotide diaspartate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, sodium hydroxide, tartaric acid, and water for injection.
0.9 mg/mL
Each 1 mL of clear, colourless, sterile solution contains 0.9 mg of pasireotide as pasireotide diaspartate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, sodium hydroxide, tartaric acid, and water for injection.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended starting dose for pasireotide is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) twice a day, approximately every 12 hours. Depending on how well the medication works and whether you experience side effects, your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 0.9 mg twice daily.
Pasireotide is used with the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Your doctor or nurse will assist you in the preparation and injection of your first dose (or first few doses) and can teach you how to give yourself the injection at home. Do not attempt to inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to inject a dose. If you are unsure of how to prepare or administer a dose, ask a health care professional to clarify for you. If you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, ask a family member or other caregiver for help if they are willing to become involved with your treatment and are willing to learn how to give you your injections.
Use a different injection site for each dose. Avoid injecting this medication into an area of skin that is sore, red, infected, or otherwise damaged.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to pasireotide or any ingredients of the medication
- have moderately to severely reduced liver function
- have uncontrolled diabetes
- have any of the following heart conditions: severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock, AV block, sinoatrial block, sick sinus syndrome, very low heart rate, or long QT syndrome
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abdominal pain
- altered sense of taste
- bloating
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- fatigue
- flushing
- gas
- hair loss
- headache
- indigestion
- itchiness
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- redness, bruising, irritation, or swelling at site of injection
- tremor
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight loss
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- blurred vision
- confusion
- irregular heartbeat
- low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness)
- muscle and joint pain
- signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
- signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
- signs of too little cortisol in the body (e.g., weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood sugar)
- signs of heart problems (e.g., fast, irregular heartbeat or pulse; difficulty breathing; weakness; dizziness; fainting; seizures)
- signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
- signs and symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)
- symptoms of gallstones (e.g., pain in back right shoulder blade, right sided chest pain below rib cage, nausea, vomiting, burping)
- trouble breathing
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- seizures
- signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools; spitting up of blood; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
- signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Abnormal heart rhythms: This medication can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., sotalol, quinidine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, l, pimozide, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with pasireotide. You are more at risk for this type of abnormal heart rhythm and its complications if you:
- are female
- are older than 65 years of age
- have a family history of sudden cardiac death
- have a history of heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms
- have a slow heart rate
- have congenital prolongation of the QT interval
- have diabetes
- have had a stroke
- have low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels
- have nutritional deficiencies
If you have heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, or are taking certain medications (e.g., verapamil, atazanavir), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Diabetes: Pasireotide often causes increased blood sugar levels, causing the loss of blood glucose control. Glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using this medication. Your doctor should monitor your blood glucose levels regularly when you first start using this medication, even if you do not have diabetes.
If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Fluid and electrolyte balance: Pasireotide may cause the levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium in the blood to change while taking this medication. If you experience symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance such as muscle pains or cramps; dry mouth; numb hands, feet, or lips; or racing heartbeat, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the levels of these electrolytes in your blood while you are taking this medication.
Liver function: People taking pasireotide may have changes in liver function that produce abnormal liver test results. Your doctor will recommend regular liver tests while you are taking this medication. Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Low levels of cortisol: Treatment with pasireotide causes a decrease in the amount of cortisol produced by the body. Cortisol is a hormone the body needs to function.
If the amount of cortisol in the body is reduced too much, it can cause weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, low blood glucose, and low amounts of sodium in the body.
Pancreatitis: This medication can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. If you have a history of pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Report signs of pancreatitis such as abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, or swollen abdomen to your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: The potential risks of using this medication during pregnancy, for the parent or developing baby, are not known. People who may become pregnant should not use this medication unless they are using reliable birth control. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if pasireotide passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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