Lanreotide

Pronunciation: lan-REE-oh-tide.

Generic name
lanreotide
Drug class
Somatostatin analogue
Form
Prefilled syringe, extended-release gel, 60 mg/90 mg/120 mg
Route
Deep subcutaneous injection (administered by a healthcare professional)
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Somatuline Autogel (5) · Full directory

What lanreotide is and how it works

Lanreotide is a prescription-only injectable medicine that reduces the release of certain hormones and other substances in the body. It is used long-term for acromegaly, for some neuroendocrine tumours, and for carcinoid syndrome. (1)

Lanreotide is given as a deep injection under the skin, usually into the buttock, by a doctor or nurse -- it is not typically a medicine you inject yourself. Your prescriber decides your exact dose and how often you need it, based on your condition and how you respond.

Mechanism of action: how lanreotide works

Lanreotide is an octapeptide analogue of somatostatin with high affinity for somatostatin receptors SSTR2 and SSTR5, inhibiting growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and various other endocrine, neuroendocrine, exocrine, and paracrine secretions. (1)

What lanreotide is used for

Acromegaly

Used long-term to treat acromegaly (a condition caused by too much growth hormone) in people who have not responded adequately to, or cannot have, surgery and/or radiotherapy. (1)

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs)

Used to help slow disease progression in adults with certain unresectable, well- or moderately-differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic neuroendocrine tumours of the gut or pancreas. (1)

Carcinoid syndrome

Used in adults with carcinoid syndrome to help reduce how often short-acting rescue somatostatin-analogue treatment is needed. (1)

Before taking lanreotide

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Lanreotide should not be given if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients, including angioedema or anaphylaxis. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of gallstones or gallbladder problems.
  • Diabetes, or any tendency toward high or low blood sugar.
  • Any heart rhythm problems or a slow heart rate, or medicines that slow the heart rate.
  • Thyroid problems.
  • Kidney or liver problems.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1)

How to take lanreotide

  • Lanreotide is given as a deep injection under the skin, typically into the upper outer area of the buttock, by a healthcare professional.
  • The injection is usually given about once every 4 weeks, though your prescriber may adjust the interval based on your response.
  • Attend all scheduled injection appointments -- consistent, on-time dosing is part of how this medicine works.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Contact your clinic or prescriber as soon as possible to reschedule if you miss a scheduled injection appointment, since the correct timing depends on your individual treatment plan.

Overdose

Because lanreotide is given by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting, an overdose from a single visit is unlikely; contact your care team promptly if you have any concerns about how much was given or how you feel afterward. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, and injection site reactions.

What to notice: Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, and injection site reactions.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Gallstones (cholelithiasis).

What to notice: Gallstones (cholelithiasis).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache and musculoskeletal pain.

What to notice: Headache and musculoskeletal pain.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Changes in blood sugar (high or low).

What to notice: Changes in blood sugar (high or low).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of gallstones or gallbladder complications — high caution

Symptoms: Sudden pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or nausea and vomiting.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly -- lanreotide can reduce gallbladder movement and lead to gallstones, and your care team will assess whether further tests or treatment are needed. (1)

Signs of high or low blood sugar — high caution

Symptoms: High blood sugar: increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness. Low blood sugar: shakiness, sweating, confusion, or dizziness.

Action: Tell your care team promptly about any blood sugar changes -- lanreotide affects insulin and glucagon release, and blood sugar monitoring is recommended, especially when treatment starts or the dose changes; this is particularly important if you have diabetes. (1)

Signs of a slow or irregular heartbeat — high caution

Symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, or an unusually slow pulse.

Action: Tell your care team promptly, especially if you already have a heart rhythm condition or take other medicines that slow the heart rate -- your prescriber may want to monitor your heart rate more closely. (1)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)

Interactions

  • Lanreotide may reduce the absorption of ciclosporin -- your care team may need to adjust ciclosporin dosing and monitor levels. (1)
  • Insulin and other diabetes medicines may need dose adjustment, guided by blood sugar monitoring, when starting or changing lanreotide. (1)
  • Medicines that slow the heart rate (such as beta-blockers) may have an additive effect with lanreotide -- your care team may monitor more closely. (1)
  • Lanreotide may increase absorption of bromocriptine. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

There is limited human data on lanreotide in pregnancy. Animal studies at higher doses showed reduced embryo/fetal survival. Lanreotide should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed -- discuss with your prescriber. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not advised during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose, since lanreotide passes into milk in animal studies and could affect a breastfed infant. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Not established for use in children in the sources reviewed for this dossier. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed, but dosing and monitoring remain individualised. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

Liver problems may affect how lanreotide is handled by the body -- tell your prescriber about any liver issues. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

Kidney problems may affect how lanreotide is handled by the body -- tell your prescriber about any kidney issues. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Baseline gallbladder assessment where relevant
  • Baseline blood glucose, especially in diabetes
  • Baseline heart rate/rhythm assessment where relevant
  • Thyroid function
  • Growth hormone/IGF-1 levels (acromegaly)

During treatment

  • Periodic gallbladder monitoring.
  • Blood glucose monitoring, especially at treatment start or dose changes.
  • Heart rate monitoring in at-risk patients.
  • Periodic thyroid function checks.
  • Growth hormone/IGF-1 levels to track disease control (acromegaly).
(1)

Storage

Refrigerate at 2C to 8C (36F to 46F). Protect from light. Store in the original package until the healthcare professional is ready to give the injection.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Acromegaly, GEP-NETs, carcinoid syndrome

Dose summary: Deep subcutaneous injection into the superior external quadrant of the buttock every 4 weeks, administered by a healthcare provider. Acromegaly: start 90 mg, titrate 60-120 mg per GH/IGF-1 response. GEP-NETs and carcinoid syndrome: 120 mg every 4 weeks.

Renal context: Not established in detail in the source reviewed for this dossier; renal impairment may warrant closer monitoring. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Hepatic impairment may alter lanreotide handling; monitor closely.

Overdose note

Limited data on overdose; because administration is healthcare-professional-directed, single-dose overdose is uncommon -- monitor for exaggerated pharmacological effects such as marked glucose changes or bradycardia. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is lanreotide (Somatuline) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, as Somatuline Depot in the US and Somatuline Autogel elsewhere. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Do I inject lanreotide myself?

Usually not -- lanreotide is intended for administration by a healthcare professional as a deep injection under the skin, typically into the buttock, about once every 4 weeks. (1)

Can lanreotide affect my blood sugar?

Yes. Lanreotide can reduce the release of both insulin and glucagon, so it can cause either low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia). Your care team will usually check your blood glucose when treatment starts and when the dose changes, especially if you have diabetes. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of lanreotide?

Lanreotide is an octapeptide analogue of somatostatin with high affinity for somatostatin receptors SSTR2 and SSTR5, inhibiting growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and various other endocrine, neuroendocrine, exocrine, and paracrine secretions. (1)

What is the generic name of Lanreotide?

The generic name is lanreotide. (1)

What class of drug is lanreotide?

Lanreotide is classed as: Somatostatin analogue. (1)

References

  1. SOMATULINE DEPOT (lanreotide) injection -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Somatuline Autogel 60/90/120 mg solution for injection in a prefilled syringe -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Ipsen Ltd · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Lanreotide -- list of nationally authorised medicinal products (PSUSA)European Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. SOMATULINE AUTOGEL (lanreotide injection) -- Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. SOMATULINE AUTOGEL (lanreotide as acetate) 60 mg solution for injection prefilled syringe -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. Somatuline Autogel -- New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient lanreotide names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • SOMATULINE DEPOT90 mg/.3mL, 120 mg/.5mL, 60 mg/.2mL · ipsen biopharmaceuticals, inc.

United Kingdom

  • Somatuline Autogel (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg · Ipsen Ltd

Canada

  • SOMATULINE AUTOGEL

Australia

  • Somatuline Autogel (5)TGA ARTG registered 2003-09-11 confirmed · 60 mg, 120 mg · Ipsen Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Somatuline Autogel (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · not specified in fetched source · not specified in fetched source
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Somatuline Autogel (3)

This page provides general reference information about lanreotide and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

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