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Bynfezia Pen

Generic name: octreotide acetate
Dosage forms: injection, for subcutaneous use ,
Drug class: Somatostatin and somatostatin analogs

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 29, 2024.

What is a Bynfezia Pen?

Bynfezia is a prescription medicine that contains octreotide, a man-made protein that is similar to a hormone in the body called somatostatin. Octreotide lowers many substances in the body such as insulin and glucagon (involved in regulating blood sugar), growth hormone, and chemicals that affect digestion.

Bynfezia is used to reduce the amount of growth hormone and insulin like growth factor 1 in adult patients with acromegaly.

Bynfezia is also used to treat flushing episodes and watery diarrhea caused by cancerous tumors (carcinoid syndrome) or tumors called vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas).

Bynfezia is available as a multi-dose prefilled pen for use by 1 person.

Bynfezia side effects

The most common Bynfezia side effects are:

Serious side effects and warnings

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Bynfezia pen such as hives; difficultly breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Bynfezia pen may cause serious side effects such as heart rhythm disturbances, gall stones, high or low glucose levels, low thyroid hormone levels, or problems with dietary fat absorption causing excessive amounts of fat in your stools (steatorrhea).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Bynfezia if you are allergic to octreotide.

To make sure Bynfezia is safe for you, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions including if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Octreotide can affect certain hormones that may make it easier for you to get pregnant, even if you were unable to get pregnant before. Talk to your doctor about using birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Bynfezia is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I use a Bynfezia Pen?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Bynfezia is used to give an injection under the skin. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all the instructions.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Store unused Bynfezia in the original carton in the refrigerator. Protect from light. Do not freeze, and throw the Bynfezia pen away if it has been frozen.

Once you begin using your Bynfezia pen, you may store it at room temperature for up to 28 days. 

Throw the Bynfezia pen away 28 days after your first use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Use a needle only once and then place it in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

octreotide, bromocriptine, lanreotide, Sandostatin, Somatuline Depot, Sandostatin LAR Depot

Bynfezia pen: Instructions for use

Read these instructions before you start using the Bynfezia Pen. It is important that you understand and follow these instructions to use the pen correctly.

Bynfezia Pen is a prefilled pen that you or your caregiver can use to give more than one dose of medicine.

Ask your healthcare provider about your dose of Bynfezia and how to inject Bynfezia the right way before you inject it for the first time. If your healthcare provider decides that you or your caregiver can give your Bynfezia at home, you or your caregiver should receive training on how to use the pen.

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your caregiver have any questions.

Important

How should I store my Bynfezia Pen?

Before First Use:

After First Use or During Use:

How do I give a dose larger than 200 mcg (more than one injection)?

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Check the Bynfezia Pen

2. Attach a Needle

3. Prime Your Bynfezia Pen

Note: The following steps are only needed if you are using a new Bynfezia pen for the first time or if you drop the pen.
To prime the pen, follow the steps below to dial the pen to 100 mcg and press the injection button until a stream of medicine comes from the needle tip.
If you have already primed the pen, go to step 4 to prepare and give the injection.
Do not prime the pen before each dose. This will waste medicine.

  4. Prepare the Injection

 5. Give the Injection

6. After the Injection

 Cleaning the Bynfezia Pen

Additional Disposal Information

Put used Bynfezia pens and needles in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away (dispose of) pens and needles in the household trash.

If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:

When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used needles and syringes. For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA's website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal

Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container. Always keep the sharps disposal container out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe upper stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, warmth or tingling, numbness or cold feeling, unexplained muscle pain, weakness, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid while using Bynfezia?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Bynfezia?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Bynfezia, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. Bynfezia may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Bynfezia works. If you have diabetes, your healthcare provider may change your dose of diabetes medication when you first start receiving Bynfezia or if your dose of Bynfezia is changed.


 

Does Bynfezia Pen interact with my other drugs?

Enter other medications to view a detailed interaction report.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.