Octreotide (Sandostatin) Dosage Calculator

Octreotide SC comes as a pre-filled solution. No reconstitution with bacteriostatic water needed, which makes this easier than most injectable peptides. The common vial concentrations are 50, 100, 200, and 500 mcg/mL. Check the label every single time before drawing your dose. The difference between a 50 mcg/mL vial and a 500 mcg/mL vial is a tenfold dosing error waiting to happen. For the 100 mcg/mL vial: drawing 0.5 mL gives you 50 mcg; 1.0 mL gives you 100 mcg. On a U-100 insulin syringe, 50 units equals 50 mcg from a 100 mcg/mL vial. Allow the solution to reach room temperature before injecting. Cold solution stings noticeably more. Rotate between abdomen and thigh injection sites. The thing most beginners miss: GI side effects are worst when you inject on an empty stomach. Timing your SC doses with meals or just before eating reduces diarrhea and cramping significantly. Patients who don't learn this trick early tend to have a rougher first month than necessary. Store opened vials refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Stable at room temperature for up to 14 days if kept away from light.