Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Lanreotide acetate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
FOR
What Lanreotide Ipsen is and how it works Lanreotide, the active substance, belongs to a group of medicines called 'antigrowth hormones'. It is similar to another substance (a hormone) called 'somatostatin'. Lanreotide lowers the levels of hormones in the body such as growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and inhibits the release of some hormones in the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal secretions. Additionally, it has an effect on some advanced type of tumours (called neuroendocrine tumours) of the intestine and pancreas by stopping or delaying their growth. What Lanreotide Ipsen is used for:
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2.
E LANREOTIDE IPSEN
Do not use Lanreotide Ipsen
Children and adolescents Lanreotide Ipsen is not recommended in children and adolescents. Other medicines and Lanreotide Ipsen Some medicines have an effect on the action of other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Special care should be taken in case of co-administration with:
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Lanreotide Ipsen is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines, however possible side effects such as dizziness may occur with Lanreotide Ipsen. If you are affected be careful when driving or using machinery.
3.
LANREOTIDE IPSEN
Always use Lanreotide Ipsen exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Recommended dose Treatment of acromegaly The recommended dose is one injection every 28 days. Your doctor may adapt the dose of your injection using one of the three available strengths of Lanreotide Ipsen (60, 90 or 120 mg). If you are well controlled on your treatment, your doctor can recommend a change in the frequency of your Lanreotide Ipsen 120 mg injections to one injection every 42 or 56 days. Any change in dose will depend on your symptoms and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will also decide how long you should be treated for. Relief of symptoms (such as flushing and diarrhoea) associated with neuroendocrine tumours The recommended dose is one injection every 28 days. Your doctor may adapt the dose of your injection using one of the three available strengths of Lanreotide Ipsen (60, 90 or 120 mg). Your doctor will also decide how long you should be treated for. Treatment of advanced tumours of the intestine and pancreas called gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours or GEP-NETs. Used when these tumours cannot be removed by surgery. The recommended dose is 120 mg every 28 days. Your doctor will decide how long you should be treated with Lanreotide Ipsen for tumour control. Method of administration Lanreotide Ipsen should be administered by deep subcutaneous injection. The injection should be given by a healthcare professional (HCP) or a trained person (family member or friend) or yourself after appropriate training from a HCP. The decision regarding self-administration or administration by another trained person should be taken by your doctor. If you have any doubt on how to administer this injection at any time please contact your doctor or HCP for advice or further training. If the injection is being given by a healthcare professional or someone else who has been trained (family member or friend), the injection will be given in the upper, outer external quadrant of the buttock or the upper outer thigh (see figures 5a & 5b below). If you are injecting yourself after appropriate training, the injection should be given in the upper outer thigh (see figure 5b below).
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE Attention: Please read all the instructions carefully before starting the injection. The injection is a deep subcutaneous injection that requires a specific technique different to normal subcutaneous injections. The following instructions explain how to inject Lanreotide Ipsen. Lanreotide Ipsen is supplied in a ready to use pre-filled syringe fitted with an automatic safety system. The needle will retract automatically, following the full administration of the product, to prevent needle stick injury.
1.
Remove Lanreotide Ipsen from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to administration. Injection of cold medication may be painful. Keep the laminated pouch sealed until just prior to injection.
2.
Attention: Before opening the pouch, check that it is intact and that the medication has not expired. Do not use the pre-filled syringe:
3.
Wash hands with soap.
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4.
Tear open the pouch along the dotted line and take out the pre-filled syringe. The content of the prefilled syringe is a semi-solid phase having a gel-like appearance, with viscous characteristics and a colour varying from white to pale yellow. The supersaturated solution can also contain micro bubbles that can clear up during injection. These differences are normal and do not interfere with the quality of the product.
After opening the protective laminated pouch, the product should be administered immediately. 5.
Select an injection site: If a healthcare professional (HCP) or someone else like a trained family member or friend is doing the injection: use the superior external (upper, outer) quadrant of the buttock (Fig. 5a) or the upper outer thigh (Fig 5b) for injection. . If you are injecting yourself: use the upper outer part of your thigh (Fig 5b)..
Injection by HCP or or a trained person
Self-injection or injection by HCP or by a trained person
Alternate the injection site between the right and left side each time you receive an injection of Lanreotide Ipsen. Avoid areas with moles, scar tissue, reddened skin, or skin that feels bumpy. 6.
Clean the injection site.
7.
Before injecting, remove the pre-filled syringe from its tray. Discard the tray.
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8.
Remove the needle cap, by pulling off, and discard it.
9.
Flatten injection area using the thumb and index finger of the hand not holding the pre-filled syringe to stretch the skin. Do not pinch the skin. Use a strong, straight dart-like motion to quickly insert the needle perpendicular to the skin (90-degree angle), all the way into the skin. It is very important that you insert the needle completely. You should not see any needle once it is fully inserted. Do not aspirate (do not draw back).
10.
Release injection site that has been flattened by your hand. Push plunger with steady very firm pressure. The medication is thicker and harder to push than you might expect. Typically 20 seconds are needed. Inject the full dose and give a final push to make sure you can not depress it any further.
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Note: maintain pressure on the plunger with your thumb to avoid activation of the automatic safety system.
11.
Without releasing the pressure on the plunger, withdraw the needle from the injection site.
12. Then release the pressure on the plunger. The needle will automatically retract into the needle guard where it will be locked permanently.
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13.
Apply gentle pressure to the injection site with a dry cotton ball or sterile gauze to prevent any bleeding. Do not rub or massage the injection site after administration.
14.
Dispose of the used syringe as instructed by your doctor or healthcare provider. Do not dispose of the device in your general household rubbish.
If you use more Lanreotide Ipsen than you should If you have injected more Lanreotide Ipsen than you should, please tell your doctor. If you have injected or if you are given too much Lanreotide Ipsen you may experience additional or more severe side effects (see section 4 "Possible Side Effects"). If you forget to use Lanreotide Ipsen As soon as you realise that you have missed an injection, contact your healthcare professional who will give you advice about the timing of your next injection. Do not self-inject extra injections to make up for a forgotten injection, without discussing with your healthcare professional. If you stop using Lanreotide Ipsen An interruption of more than one dose or early termination of the Lanreotide Ipsen treatment can affect the success of the treatment. Please talk to your doctor before you stop the treatment. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects:
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The most commonly expected side effects are gastrointestinal disorders, gallbladder problems and injection site reactions. The side effects that could occur with Lanreotide Ipsen are listed according to their frequencies below. Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people:
Redness, pain, warmth and swelling at the site of injection that may feel fluid-filled when pressed, fever – this may be a sign of abscess
•
Sudden , severe pain in the upper right or centre abdomen that may spread to the shoulder or back, tenderness of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting and high fever – this may be a sign of inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
•
Pain in the upper right part of your belly (abdomen), fever, chills, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), nausea, vomiting, clay-coloured stools, dark urine, tiredness – these may be signs of inflammation of the bile duct (cholangitis)
•
Decrease in pancreatic enzymes. As lanreotide may affect the release of pancreatic enzymes involved in food digestion, you may have symptoms such as fatty stools, loose stools, abdominal bloating or weight loss.
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Since Lanreotide Ipsen may alter your blood sugar levels, your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar levels especially at the initiation of the treatment. Similarly, as gallbladder problems can occur with this type of medicine, your doctor may want to monitor your gallbladder when you start receiving Lanreotide Ipsen, and from time to time afterwards. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the side effects above. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5.
LANREOTIDE IPSEN
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is printed on the carton and labels after <EXP>. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store Lanreotide Ipsen between 2°C to 8°C in a refrigerator in the original package in order to protect from light. Once removed from the refrigerator, product left in its sealed pouch may be returned to the refrigerator (the number of temperature excursions must not exceed three times) for continued storage and later use, provided it has been stored for no longer than a total of 72 hours at below 40°C. Each pre-filled syringe is packed individually. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6.
What Lanreotide Ipsen contains The active substance is: lanreotide (60 mg, 90 mg or 120 mg). The other ingredients are: Water for injection Glacial acetic acid (for pH adjustment) What Lanreotide Ipsen looks like and contents of the pack Lanreotide Ipsen is a viscous solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe ready to use, fitted with an automatic safety system. It is a white to pale yellow semi-solid formulation.
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Each ready-to-use pre-filled syringe is packed in a laminated pouch and a cardboard box. Box of 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe with an automatic safety system with an attached needle (1.2 mm x 20 mm). Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder: Ipsen Limited 5th Floor, The Point 37 North Wharf Road London, W2 1AF United Kingdom Manufacturer: Ipsen Pharma Biotech Parc d'activités du plateau de Signes Chemin départemental N°402 83870 Signes France. Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Please phone +44 (0) 1753 627777 and ask for help. This leaflet was last revised in July 2024.
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Lanreotide Ipsen solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe comes as injection. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Lanreotide Ipsen solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe is lanreotide acetate.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Lanreotide Ipsen solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Lanreotide Ipsen is indicated for:
• The treatment of individuals with acromegaly when the circulating levels of Growth Hormone (GH) and/or Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) remain abnormal after surgery and/or radiotherapy, or in patients who otherwise require medical treatment. The goal of treatment in acromegaly is to reduce GH and IGF-1 levels and where possible to normalise these values.
• The treatment of grade 1 and a subset of grade 2 (Ki67 index up to 10%) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) of midgut, pancreatic or unknown origin where hindgut sites of origin have been excluded, in adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease (see section 5.1).
• The treatment of symptoms associated with neuroendocrine (particularly carcinoid) tumours.
Posology
Acromegaly
The recommended starting dose is 60 mg to 120 mg administered every 28 days. The dose should be individualised according to the response of the patient (as judged by a reduction in symptoms and/or a reduction in GH and/or IGF-1 levels).
For patients in whom clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters are not adequately controlled (GH concentrations still above 2.5 ng/ml (approximately 5 mU/L) or IGF-1 greater than (age matched) normal), the dose of Lanreotide Ipsen may be increased to a maximum of 120 mg at 28 day intervals.
Patients well controlled on a somatostatin analogue can alternatively be treated with Lanreotide Ipsen 120 mg every 42 - 56 days (6 to 8 weeks).
Long term monitoring of symptoms, GH and IGF-1 levels should be routinely carried out in all patients.
Treatment of grade 1 and a subset of grade 2 (Ki67 index up to 10%) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours of midgut, pancreatic or unknown origin where hindgut sites of origin have been excluded, in adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease
The recommended dose is one injection of Lanreotide Ipsen 120 mg administered every 28 days. The treatment with Lanreotide Ipsen should be continued for as long as needed for tumour control.
Treatment of symptoms associated with neuroendocrine tumours
The recommended starting dose is 60 to 120 mg administered every 28 days.
The dose should be adjusted according to the degree of symptomatic relief obtained.
Renal and/or hepatic impairment
In patients with impaired renal or hepatic function, no dosage adjustment is necessary due to the wide therapeutic window of lanreotide (see section 5.2).
Elderly patients
In elderly patients, no dosage adjustment is necessary due to the wide therapeutic window of lanreotide (see section 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Lanreotide Ipsen in children and adolescents has not been established.
Method of Administration
Lanreotide Ipsen is administered by deep subcutaneous injection in the superior external quadrant of the buttock or in the upper outer thigh.
For patients who receive a stable dose of Lanreotide Ipsen, and after appropriate training by healthcare professionals, the product may be administered either by the patient or by a trained person. In case of self-injection the injection should be given in the upper outer thigh.
The decision regarding administration by the patient or a trained person should be taken by a healthcare professional.
Regardless of the injection site, the skin should not be folded and the needle should be inserted rapidly and to its full length, perpendicularly to the skin.
The injection site should alternate between the right and left side.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, somatostatin or related peptides or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Cholelithiasis and Complications of Cholelithiasis:
Lanreotide may reduce gallbladder motility and lead to gallstone formation. Therefore, patients may need to be monitored periodically. It is advised, during prolonged treatment, to perform before treatment and every 6 months, an echography of the gallbladder (see section 4.8). There have been post-marketing reports of gallstones resulting in complications, including cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis, requiring cholecystectomy in patients taking lanreotide. If complications of cholelithiasis are suspected, discontinue lanreotide and treat appropriately.
Hyperglycaemia and Hypoglycaemia:
Pharmacological studies in animals and humans show that lanreotide, like somatostatin and other somatostatin analogues, inhibits the secretion of insulin and glucagon. Hence, patients treated with lanreotide may experience hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Blood glucose levels should be monitored when lanreotide treatment is initiated, or when the dose is altered and any anti-diabetic treatment should be adjusted accordingly.
Hypothyroidism:
Slight decreases in thyroid function have been seen during treatment with lanreotide in patients with acromegaly, although clinical hypothyroidism is rare (<1%). Thyroid function tests should be done where clinically indicated.
Bradycardia:
In patients without underlying cardiac problems, lanreotide may lead to a decrease of heart rate without necessarily reaching the threshold of bradycardia. In patients suffering from cardiac disorders prior to lanreotide treatment, sinus bradycardia may occur. Care should be taken when initiating treatment with lanreotide in patients with bradycardia (see section 4.5).
Pancreatic function:
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) has been observed in some patients receiving lanreotide therapy for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Symptoms of PEI can include steatorrhea, loose stools, abdominal bloating and weight loss. Screening and appropriate treatment for PEI according to clinical guidelines should be considered in symptomatic patients.
Pituitary tumour monitoring:
In patients with acromegaly, use of lanreotide is not exempt from the monitoring of the volume of the pituitary tumour.
The pharmacological gastrointestinal effects of lanreotide may result in the reduction of the intestinal absorption of co-administered drugs including ciclosporin. Concomitant administration of ciclosporin with lanreotide may decrease the relative bioavailability of ciclosporin and therefore may necessitate the adjustment of ciclosporin dose to maintain therapeutic levels.
Interactions with highly plasma bound drugs are unlikely in view of the moderate binding of lanreotide to serum proteins.
Limited published data indicate that concomitant administration of somatostatin analogues and bromocriptine may increase the availability of bromocriptine.
Dose adjustments of insulin and antidiabetics may be necessary when lanreotide is administered simultaneously:
Risk of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia: decrease in the needs of antidiabetic treatment following decrease or increase in endogen glucagon secretion.
The glycaemic self-monitoring must be reinforced and the posology of antidiabetic treatment during treatment by lanreotide should be adapted as required.
Concomitant administration of bradycardia inducing drugs (e.g. beta blockers) may have an additive effect on the slight reduction of heart rate associated with lanreotide. Dose adjustments of such concomitant medicines may be necessary.
The limited published data available indicate that somatostatin analogues may decrease the metabolic clearance of compounds known to be metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes, which may be due to the suppression of growth hormone. Since it cannot be excluded that lanreotide may have this effect, other drugs mainly metabolised by CYP3A4 and which have a low therapeutic index (e.g. quinidine, terfenadine) should therefore be used with caution.
Pregnancy
There is a limited amount of data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of lanreotide in pregnant women.
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of lanreotide during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Lanreotide Ipsen is excreted in human milk.
A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
Lanreotide Ipsen should not be used during breast-feeding.
Fertility
Reduced fertility was observed in female rats due to the inhibition of GH secretion at doses in excess of those achieved in humans at therapeutic doses.
Lanreotide Ipsen has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
However, dizziness has been reported with Lanreotide Ipsen (see section 4.8). If a patient is affected, he/she should not drive or operate machinery.
Undesirable effects reported by patients suffering from acromegaly and GEP-NETs treated with lanreotide in clinical trials are listed under the corresponding body organ systems according to the following classification:
Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
The most commonly expected adverse drug reactions following treatment with lanreotide are gastrointestinal disorders (most commonly reported are diarrhoea and abdominal pain, usually mild or moderate and transient), cholelithiasis (often asymptomatic) and injection site reactions (pain, nodules and indurations).
The profile of undesirable effects is similar for all indications.
System organ class
Very common (≥1/10)
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)
Post-marketing safety experience(frequency not known)
Infections and infestations
Injection site abscess
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hypoglycaemia, decreased appetite**, hyperglycaemia, diabetes mellitus
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia*
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness, headache, lethargy**
Cardiac disorders
Sinus bradycardia*
Vascular disorders
Hot flushes*
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhoea, loose stools*, abdominal pain
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort*, dyspepsia, steatorrhoea**
Faeces discoloured*
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, Pancreatitis
Hepatobiliary disorders
Cholelithiasis
Biliary dilatation*
Cholangitis, Cholecystitis
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal pain**, myalgia**
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Alopecia, hypotrichosis*
General disorders and administration site conditions
Asthenia, fatigue, injection site reactions (pain, mass, induration, nodule, pruritus)
Investigations
ALAT increased*, ASAT abnormal*, ALAT abnormal*, blood bilirubin increased*, blood glucose increased*, glycosylated haemoglobin increased*, weight decreased, pancreatic enzymes decreased**
ASAT increased*, blood alkaline phosphatase increased*, blood bilirubin abnormal*, blood sodium decreased*
Immune system disorders
Allergic reactions (including angioedema, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity)
* based on a pool of studies conducted in acromegalic patients
** based on a pool of studies conducted in patients with GEP-NETs
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
If overdose occurs, symptomatic management is indicated.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Lanreotide Ipsen solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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