Medical uses of ATGAM Injection

ATGAM is introduced to manage the allograft rejection in the recipients of renal transplant; when used along with conventional therapy at the moment of rejection this agent increases the frequency of the resolution of the acute rejection episode. 

ATGAM is approved to treat moderate/severe aplastic anemia in recipients unsuitable for the bone marrow transplantation.

The usefulness of atgam injection has not been shown in recipients with aplastic anemia who are suitable candidates for bone marrow transplantation or in recipients with aplastic anemia secondary to neoplastic disease, Fanconi's syndrome, storage disease, myelofibrosis, or in patients known to have been exposed to radiation or myelotoxic agents.

Approval: The ATGAM injection is approved in the US (United States):

• In order to manage moderate/severe aplastic anemia (a blood disorder that damages stem cells).

• In order to prevent the body from rejecting a kidney transplant.

Dosage Form: ATGAM comes in the form of injection. It is intended for intravenous use only with concomitant immunosuppressants. While repeat courses of ATGAM, observe the recipients for signs of allergic reactions. 

The recommended dose of ATG injection for Renal Allograft Recipients is 10 to 15 mg per kg daily administered intravenously for 2 weeks. The supplementary alternate day therapy up to a total of 21 doses can be administered.

The recommended dose for Aplastic Anemia (Moderate to Severe) is 10 to 20 mg per kg daily administered intravenously for 8 to 14 days. The supplementary alternate day therapy up to a total of twenty one doses can be given. Because thrombocytopenia can be related with the use of ATGAM, patients with this therapy for their aplastic anemia may require prophylactic platelet transfusions in order to maintain the count of platelets at the clinically acceptable levels.

Side Effects: Side effects of ATGAM are usually mild and not life threatening. The most commonly reported side effects include chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, hives and headache. These side effects due to ATGAM usually go away following treatment.

Cost: The atgam injection price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of atgam injection usually depends on the branded to non-branded drugs and certain other factors. 

Medical uses of Octreotide Injection

Octreotide acetate is used for reducing blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I (somatomedin C) in acromegaly patients who haven't had adequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses.

The octreotide injection is also used for the symptomatic treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors where this agent is believed to suppress or block the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with the disease.

Octreotide acetate is used in order to treat the profuse watery diarrhea associated with the VIP-secreting tumors. 

Approval: As an octapeptide, the medication octreotide mimics the natural somatostatin pharmacologically, though it is an absolutely potent inhibitor of growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin in comparison to the natural hormone. 

In 1979 Octreotide was initially synthesized by Wilfried Bauer, and binds predominantly to the somatostatin receptors SSTR2 & SSTR5. In 1988 Octreotide was approved for use in the United States.

Dosage Form: Octreotide comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Sandostatin. Always use octreotide 100 mcg as per words by a healthcare professional. Depending on the complication being treated, Octreotide is administered by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection or intravenous (into a vein) infusion. In case patients have liver cirrhosis (chronic liver disease), their doctor may need to adjust their maintenance dose. A doctor will explain to a patient how to inject Octreotide injection under the skin, but infusion into a vein must always be performed by a healthcare practitioner.

Side Effects: Side effects of octreotide are usually mild and not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects may include vomiting, headache, hypothyroidism, cardiac conduction changes, diarrhoea, constipation, gallstones, reduction of insulin release, slow heart rate, nausea, injection site reactions, skin reactions and cramps. 

Cost: The octreotide injection price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of octreotide 0.05 mg is around Rs. 380 for a supply of vial of 1 injection.