This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.
is a somatostatin analog indicated for: the long-term treatment of acromegalic patients who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. ( 1.1 ) the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, well- or moderately-differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) to improve progression-free survival. ( 1.2 ) the treatment of adults with carcinoid syndrome; when used, it reduces the frequency of short-acting somatostatin analog rescue therapy. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Acromegaly SOMATULINE DEPOT is indicated for the long-term treatment of acromegalic patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery and/or radiotherapy, or for whom surgery and/or radiotherapy is not an option. The goal of treatment in acromegaly is to reduce growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels to normal. 1.2 Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors SOMATULINE DEPOT is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, well or moderately differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) to improve progression-free survival. 1.3 C...
is contraindicated in patients with history of a hypersensitivity to lanreotide. Allergic reactions (including angioedema and anaphylaxis) have been reported following administration of lanreotide [ see Adverse Reactions (6.3) ] . Hypersensitivity to lanreotide. ( 4 )
Cholelithiasis and Complications of Cholelithiasis : Monitor periodically. Discontinue if complications of cholelithiasis are suspected. Gallstones may occur; consider periodic monitoring. ( 5.1 ) Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia : Glucose monitoring is recommended and antidiabetic treatment adjusted accordingly. ( 5.2 , 7.1 ) Cardiovascular Abnormalities : Decrease in heart rate may occur. Use with caution in at-risk patients. ( 5.3 ) Thyroid Function Abnormalities : Decreases in thyroid function may occur; perform tests where clinically indicated. ( 5.4 ) Steatorrhea and Malabsorption of Dietary Fats: New onset steatorrhea, stool discoloration, loose stools, abdominal bloating, and weight loss may occur. If new occurrence or worsening of these symptoms are reported, evaluate for potential pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Cholelithiasis and Complications of Cholelithiasis SOMATULINE DEPOT may reduce gallbladder motility and lead to gallstone formation; therefore, patients may need to be monitored periodically [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . There have been postmarketing reports of cholelithiasis (gallstones) resulting in complications, i...
The following adverse reactions to SOMATULINE DEPOT are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cholelithiasis and Complications of Cholelithiasis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiovascular Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Thyroid Function Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Steatorrhea and Malabsorption of Dietary Fats [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Most common adverse reactions are: Acromegaly (>5%): diarrhea, cholelithiasis, abdominal pain, nausea and injection site reactions. ( 6.1 ) GEP-NET (>10%): abdominal pain, musculoskeletal pain, vomiting, headache, injection site reaction, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and cholelithiasis. ( 6.1 ) Carcinoid Syndrome : (≥5% and at least 5% greater than placebo): headache, dizziness and muscle spasm. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-463-5127 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical t...
Warnings & Precautions, Steatorrhea and Malabsorption of Dietary Fats ( 5.6 ) 07/2024
Source: FDA SPL label for SOMATULINE DEPOT (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.), effective 20241011. Full label on DailyMed.
These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 782 | 813 | 1,265 | 1,343 | 1,250 | 915 | 1,059 | 427 |
Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.
| Date | Class | Firm | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/2026 | Class II | Cipla USA, Inc. | Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Due to an FDA observation at the contract manufacturing site for deficiencies in their visual inspection procedure. |
| 03/2026 | Class II | Cipla USA, Inc. | Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Due to an FDA observation at the contract manufacturing site for deficiencies in their visual inspection procedure. |
| 01/2026 | Class II | Cipla USA, Inc. | Presence of Particulate Matter. |
Class I = reasonable probability of serious harm. Class II = temporary or reversible harm. Class III = unlikely to harm. Most generic recalls are manufacturing or labeling defects for one lot, not a verdict on the molecule.
Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.
In 2024, drug companies reported $0 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 0 transactions.
No pending federal MDL names this drug or its brands.
Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.
Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.
| Product | Fills | $/fill |
|---|---|---|
| Somatuline Depot | 6,398 | $9,023 |
| Lanreotide Acetate | 1,030 | $8,482 |
Same ATC pharmacological class, graded ones first, best grade at the top. Being in the same class does not make them interchangeable for your condition; it makes them worth asking about.