How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma™
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma™ puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Lanreotide?
Somatuline Depot (lanreotide) is the brand name of a prescription medication that is used to treat the following conditions:
- Carcinoid syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that arise from carcinoid tumors, which are a type of slow-growing cancerous tumor that grows from neuroendocrine cells. Symptoms can include flushing and severe diarrhea. In most cases, carcinoid tumors will manifest themselves in the digestive tract. - Neuroendocrine tumors
A neuroendocrine tumor is an extremely uncommon form of cancer that can develop close to the digestive system and the pancreas. - Acromegaly
Acromegaly occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, resulting in the abnormal growth of certain bones and tissues.
How Lanreotide Is Given
You must take Somatuline Depot exactly as directed by your attending physician or any other healthcare provider.
Injection Guidelines
Subcutaneous injections of Somatuline Depot are the preferred method of administration. Injections of Somatuline Depot should only be administered by a qualified medical professional, such as a licensed physician.
In most cases, the medication is administered via injection into the upper gluteal muscle (buttocks).
When To Take
Your doctor will decide the most convenient time for you to receive your Somatuline Depot injection.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Lanreotide Dosage
The dosage of Somatuline Depot that your doctor recommends for you will be based on the nature and severity of the condition you are seeking treatment for, as well as your age and any other preexisting medical conditions you may have.
Lanreotide Strengths and Forms
Somatuline Depot is injected subcutaneously into the buttocks as a liquid. The injection goes into the skin’s fatty tissue, and your doctor will administer the injection. Somatuline Depot is available in doses of 60, 90, and 120 mg.
Lanreotide Dosage for Acromegaly
Acromegaly treatment usually begins with 90 mg of Somatuline Depot every four weeks. After three months, the doctor may either lower the dose to 60 mg every four weeks, maintain the current dose, or increase it to 120 mg based on clinical response, growth hormone (GH) levels, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. When you reach a stable dosage, your doctor may continue giving you injections every four weeks or reduce the frequency.
Lanreotide Dosage for Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors are treated with 120 mg of Somatuline Depot once every four weeks.
Lanreotide Dosage for Carcinoid Syndrome
The recommended amount of Somatuline Depot to take once every four weeks for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome is 120 mg.
Lanreotide Side Effects
The adverse effects caused by Somatuline Depot could be either mild or severe. These lists do not contain every potential side effect that could occur.
Mild Side Effects
The mild side effects of Somatuline Depot can vary widely from patient to patient and from condition to condition.
The following are examples of mild side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Injection site reactions, like pain, itching, or a bump at the injection site
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
Most of these adverse effects might disappear after a few days or a few weeks. However, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if they persist or worsen.
Serious Side Effects
Serious adverse reactions to Somatuline Depot are unusual but can occur for some people. If you experience severe side effects, you should contact your physician as soon as possible or call 911 immediately. The severity of the adverse effects caused by Somatuline Depot will vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Serious side effects include:
- Gallstones
- Allergic reaction
- Hypothyroidism. Some of the symptoms include:
- Less sweating
- Weight gain
- Tiredness
- Thinning hair
- Pain in the muscles or joints
- Goiter
- Forgetfulness
- Feeling more cold than usual
- Depression
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Hypertension. It is possible that you will not experience any symptoms of hypertension unless the condition is very severe. Some of the possible symptoms of severe hypertension are:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Blurry vision or loss of vision
- Bradycardia. Some of the symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in blood glucose levels. The symptoms can be quite different depending on whether you have hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. The following are examples of possible signs and symptoms:
- More frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Hunger
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Blurry vision
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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