Certain Sandostatin Strengths Discontinued

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a drug discontinuation notice for Sandostatin (octreotide acetate; Novartis) injection, 200mcg and 1000mcg multi-dose vials. 

Sandostatin, a somatostatin analogue, is indicated to treat severe diarrhea and flushing due to metastatic carcinoid tumors; profuse watery diarrhea due to vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas); and acromegaly unresponsive to or that cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses.  

The decision to discontinue Sandostatin 200mcg and 1000mcg is not due to manufacturing, product quality, safety, or efficacy concerns, according to the Company. Sandostatin is still available in 50mcg, 100mcg, and 500mcg strength solutions for intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) injection. A long-acting version, Sandostatin LAR Depot, is also available as 10mg, 20mg, and 30mg strength suspensions for intramuscular (IM) injection after dilution.

For more information visit FDA.gov.