Making an Acromegaly Diagnosis
Before making a correct acromegaly diagnosis, a healthcare professional must:
- Recognize the symptoms of acromegaly
- Run certain tests and images
- Possibly consult a specialist in endocrinology (the study of hormones and their roles in the body)
Arriving at a correct acromegaly diagnosis as early as possible is important. The longer acromegaly goes untreated, the higher the risk of complications. The average case of acromegaly is diagnosed nine years into its course.
Who makes the acromegaly diagnosis?
In most cases (52%), an acromegaly diagnosis is made by a general practitioner or family physician. Other types of healthcare professionals who may diagnose acromegaly are neurologist (15%), endocrinologists (13%), rheumatologists, cardiologists, lung/ear/nose/throat specialists, and ophthalmologists.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you think you have one or more symptoms of acromegaly.
Tests and Images for an Acromegaly Diagnosis
Tests and images that will help a healthcare professional make an accurate diagnosis of acromegaly include:
Indication and Important Safety Information
Somatuline® Depot (lanreotide) Injection is a somatostatin analog indicated for the long-term treatment of patients with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Lanreotide may reduce gallbladder motility and lead to gallstone formation. Periodic monitoring may be needed. Patients treated with Somatuline Depot may experience hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Glucose level monitoring is recommended and antidiabetic treatment adjusted accordingly. Lanreotide may lead to a decrease in heart rate. Use with caution in at-risk patients.
Patients with moderate and severe renal impairment or moderate and severe hepatic impairment should begin treatment with Somatuline Depot 60 mg.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human responses, Somatuline Depot should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies risk to the fetus.
A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Somatuline Depot may decrease the bioavailability of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine dose may need to be adjusted to maintain levels.
Patients receiving beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or other drugs that affect heart rate may need dose adjustments. Somatuline Depot may reduce the intestinal absorption of coadministered drugs. Caution should be used.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) are diarrhea (37%), cholelithiasis (20%), abdominal pain (19%), nausea (11%), injection-site reaction (9%), flatulence (7%), arthralgia (7%), and loose stools (6%).
For Full Prescribing Information, click here.
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