Somatuline Depot (lanreotide) is a brand-name drug prescribed for acromegaly, certain cancers, and carcinoid syndrome in adults. Somatuline Depot is given as a subcutaneous injection by a healthcare professional, typically once every 4 weeks.

Somatuline Depot is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions in adults:

Somatuline Depot belongs to a drug class called somatostatin analogs. Lanreotide, the active drug in Somatuline Depot, is available in a generic version. The generic version is approved to treat acromegaly and certain NETs but not carcinoid syndrome.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Somatuline Depot, including its strengths and how the medication is given. For a comprehensive look at Somatuline Depot, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Somatuline Depot provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Somatuline Depot dosage that’s right for you.

The typically recommended dosages for Somatuline Depot are described below.

Somatuline Depot form

Somatuline Depot comes as a solution in a prefilled syringe and is given as a subcutaneous injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give your injections at your doctor’s office.

Somatuline Depot strengths

Somatuline Depot prefilled syringes come in three strengths:

  • 60 milligrams (mg) per 0.2 milliliters (mL) of solution
  • 90 mg/0.3 mL
  • 120 mg/0.5 mL

Each syringe contains a single dose of Somatuline Depot.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, your doctor may adjust your dose over time to reach the amount that’s right for you.

Dosage for acromegaly

Doctors may prescribe Somatuline Depot to treat acromegaly. A pituitary tumor that makes too much growth hormone can cause acromegaly.

If your doctor prescribes Somatuline Depot for acromegaly, your starting dose will likely be 90 mg, given once every 4 weeks. Typically, you’ll receive this dose for 3 months. Then, based on your hormone levels, your doctor will recommend one of the following dosing changes:

  • increasing your dose to 120 mg, given once every 4 weeks
  • decreasing your dose to 60 mg, given once every 4 weeks
  • keeping your dose the same at 90 mg, given once every 4 weeks

If Somatuline Depot manages your condition well, your doctor may give you your injections less often. For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for neuroendocrine tumors

Somatuline Depot is also approved to help treat a type of NET that grows in the pancreas or digestive system. For this condition, the recommended dose of Somatuline Depot is 120 mg. You’ll usually receive this dose once every 4 weeks.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Dosage for carcinoid syndrome

Somatuline Depot is also approved to help treat carcinoid syndrome (a group of symptoms caused by a type of NET).

For this use, the recommended dose of Somatuline Depot is 120 mg. You’ll usually receive this dose once every 4 weeks.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Note: If you’re already receiving Somatuline Depot for a NET, you won’t receive another dose to treat carcinoid syndrome. In this case, your doctor can recommend other treatment options for your symptoms.

Long-term treatment

Somatuline Depot is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Somatuline Depot is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Before you begin Somatuline Depot treatment, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The dosage of Somatuline Depot that your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how your body responds to Somatuline Depot (if you have acromegaly)
  • the type and severity of your condition
  • your liver and kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Somatuline Depot dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to lower your dose if you have liver damage or kidney disease.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Somatuline Depot comes as a solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give your dose as a deep subcutaneous injection into your buttock. You’ll go to the doctor’s office to receive your Somatuline Depot injections.

With a deep subcutaneous injection, they’ll inject the medication into the fatty tissue beneath your skin. With each dose you receive, they’ll rotate the injection site between your right and left buttocks.

In some cases, you may be able to have a nurse come to your home to give you your dose of Somatuline Depot. If you have questions about how you’ll receive this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also information about the Somatuline Depot prefilled syringe on the manufacturer’s website.

If you miss your appointment for a Somatuline Depot injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Somatuline Depot and dosage.

Is the dosage of Somatuline Depot similar to the dosage of Sandostatin?

Both drugs come as an injectable solution, but there are differences in how and when they’re given. Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) is given as a subcutaneous injection, typically two to four times per day. You may be able to self-inject the drug at home. Somatuline Depot is also given as a subcutaneous injection, typically once every 4 weeks. Your doctor gives the injections at their office.

Another injectable form of brand-name Sandostatin is available, called Sandostatin LAR Depot. A doctor gives it as an intramuscular injection, typically once every 4 weeks. This is similar to the dosing schedule for Somatuline Depot. For details, see the “Somatuline Depot dosage” section above.

The dose of Somatuline Depot and Sandostatin differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Somatuline Depot to start working?

Somatuline Depot starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. It may be a few months before you notice an improvement in your symptoms. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Somatuline Depot treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Somatuline Depot for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Somatuline Depot that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Somatuline Depot. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Somatuline Depot: For information about other aspects of Somatuline Depot, refer to this article.
  • Details about your condition: For details about Somatuline Depot’s approved uses, see our cancer hub and list of endocrinology articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.