Pasireotide is used to treat Cushing's syndrome (a disorder that causes the body to produce an excessive amount of hormone known as cortisol over a long period).
This medicine is also used to treat acromegaly (a rare disorder where the body produces abnormally high levels of growth hormone in the body).
Pasireotide injection is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle, usually into the left or right muscles of the buttocks).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Pasireotide must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Pasireotide.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have severe liver disease as Pasireotide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- at risk of slow heartbeat e.g. heart block, history of heart attack, ventricular fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm causing the lower chambers of the heart to quiver)
- unstable angina (chest pain that occurs randomly or unexpectedly)
- heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- hypokalaemia (low potassium level in the blood)
- hypomagnesaemia (low magnesium level in the blood)
- diabetes
- moderate liver disease
- severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- ECG (test used to record the electrical activity of the heart) must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and thyroid function, blood sugar and electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with Pasireotide. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of gall bladder problems, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar level) may also be needed.
Pasireotide may cause tiredness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss, muscle pain, and joint pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- fast or slow heartbeat
- fever with chills, pain in the upper right area of the stomach, bloating, pain in the right shoulder area or between the shoulder blades
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- unusual hunger or thirst, fruity-smelling breath, feeling weak or confused, passing urine more often, sweating, shaking
- severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, decreased appetite, weight loss
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, amiodarone, dofetilide
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, moxifloxacin
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine, pimozide, haloperidol, amisulpride, sertindole
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole, mizolastine
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- medicines for malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito) e.g. chloroquine, halofantrine
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. metoprolol, propranolol, verapamil, diltiazem, bepridil
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- bromocriptine (medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease)
- methadone (strong painkiller)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pasireotide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.
Do not freeze Pasireotide otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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