Bynfezia Pen

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

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 20, 2023.

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).

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

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 doctor if you have ever had:

• diabetes;
• gallbladder disease;
• heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart rhythm disorder;
• thyroid problems;
• pancreatitis;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

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.

Related/similar drugs

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

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 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.

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.

Bynfezia side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe constipation;
• slow or uneven heartbeats;
• signs of gallstones--fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• low blood sugar--headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky; or
• underactive thyroid--extreme tired feeling, dry skin, joint pain or stiffness, muscle pain or weakness, hoarse voice, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, weight gain.

Common Bynfezia side effects may include:

• gallstones;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, gas;
• headache, back pain; muscle spasm; or
• dizziness, tiredness.

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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Bynfezia?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel);
• cyclosporine;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or
• heart or blood pressure medication, such as beta-blockers.

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.

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

• Do not use a Bynfezia for more than 28 days after first use. After 28 days throw away (dispose of) the pen, even if the pen still has medicine in it.
• Do not place the Bynfezia pen in water or any other liquid.
• Keep your Bynfezia pen and needles out of the reach of children.
• Do not use if any part of your Bynfezia pen appears broken or damaged.
• If you drop your pen, prime it before you use it again to make sure the pen still works correctly (see step 3. Prime Your Pen).
• Do not take Bynfezia solution out of the pen and put it into a syringe.
• Do not share your Bynfezia pen or needles with another person. You may give an infection to them or get an infection from them.
• Do not remove the outer needle cover or inner needle cover until you are ready to inject.
• Do not press the injection button unless a needle is attached to the pen.

How should I store my Bynfezia Pen?

Before First Use:

• Store new unused Bynfezia pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in the carton.
• Protect the pen from light.
• Do not freeze. Throw away (dispose of) the Bynfezia pen if it has been frozen.
• Do not store the pen in direct sunlight.

After First Use or During Use:

• Store the Bynfezia pen at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) for up to 28 days.
• Store the pen with the pen cap on.
• Throw away (dispose of) the pen 28 days after first use in a sharps container, even if the pen still has medicine in it (see step 6. Additional Disposal Information).
• Do not store a pen with a needle attached.

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

• Turn the dose set knob to 200 mcg (highest dose setting) and give the first injection. Choose a different injection site for each injection at least 2 inches from the area you used for your last injection.
• Calculate the remaining dose by subtracting 200 mcg from the prescribed dose.
• Turn the dose set knob to the line for your remaining dose up to the highest dose setting of 200 mcg. Give the second injection at least 2 inches away from the first injection.
• You may need more injections to give your total prescribed dose.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Check the Bynfezia Pen

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Check the pen label to make sure the expiration date has not passed.
• Pull the pen cap straight o­ff the pen.
• Check the medicine. The medicine should be clear and colorless. You may see small air bubbles in the Bynfezia pen, which is normal and will not affect the dose. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, colored, or has lumps or particles in it. The pen cartridge may look empty because the medicine is clear and colorless. Make sure you have enough medicine left in the pen to inject the full dose. When the plunger moves pass the thick line, your pen is almost empty. If the dose set knob does not let you dial your prescribed dose, this means there is not enough medicine left in your pen. Throw away (dispose of) the pen and use a new Bynfezia pen for the injection.
• Allow the pen to reach room temperature. If the pen was not stored at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), allow it to reach room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before injecting. This will reduce the chance of getting a reaction at the injection site. Do not try to warm the pen by using a heat source such as hot water or microwave.

2. Attach a Needle

• Gather the following additional supplies: 2 alcohol swabs, new pen needle, sharps container, cotton ball. Note: These supplies are not included with the pen.
• Wipe the rubber seal on the pen with an alcohol swab.
• Attach a new needle. Use only 31 gauge, 5 mm length disposable pen needles. If you have questions about which needle to use, ask your healthcare provider. Peel off­ the paper tab from the needle. Push the needle with cap straight down onto the pen and screw it on to the pen by turning to the right (clockwise) until the needle feels secure. Do not overtighten the needle. This will make it hard to remove after the injection.
• Remove the outer needle cover and set it aside. Save the outer needle cover for use when you remove the needle in step 6.
• Remove the inner needle cover and throw it away.

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.

• Turn the dose set knob to dial the pen to 100 mcg.
• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up.
• Press the injection button all the way in until it stops and the dose display window returns to “0”.
• A stream of medicine should be seen coming from the needle tip. If you do not see a stream of medicine coming from the needle tip, repeat the priming steps. If you still do not see a stream of medicine coming from the needle tip after you repeat the priming steps 3 times, the pen may be damaged. Throw away (dispose of) the pen and use a new Bynfezia pen. Call Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-818-4555 or your healthcare provider for help or to get a new pen.

  4. Prepare the Injection

• Choose an injection site for injection under the skin (subcutaneous).
• When giving yourself the injection: Inject into the stomach at least 2 inches away from the belly button (navel) or inject into the front of the middle thighs.
• When giving someone else the injection: you may also inject into the back outer area of the upper arms.
• Always change (rotate) the injection site with each injection. Your injection site should be at least 2 inches away from your last injection site. Do not inject into moles, scars, birthmarks, or areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.
• Clean your injection site with an alcohol swab. Wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Let the injection site dry before you inject your dose.
• Dial your dose. Turn the dose set knob until you see the prescribed dose in the dose display window. The dose number and black line should line up with the pointer. The pen can be used to deliver 50 mcg, 100 mcg, 150 mcg and 200 mcg doses. If your prescribed dose is more than 200 mcg, see the section “How should I give a dose larger than 200 mcg (more than 1 injection)?” in these instructions. It is normal to hear a “clicking” sound as you turn the dose set knob. If you accidentally dial past the prescribed dose, turn the dose set knob back down to the correct dose.
• Note: The pen cannot be dialed past the number of micrograms (mcgs) of medicine left in the pen. If the Bynfezia pen does not have enough medicine to give the full dose, throw away (dispose of) the pen and use a new one.

 5. Give the Injection

• Insert the needle straight into the injection site.
• Deliver your dose. Deliver your dose by slowly pressing the injection button all the way down until it stops. The number in the dose display window will go back to “0” when the injection is complete.
• Continue to hold the injection button down and slowly count to 10 to make sure the full dose of medicine is given.
• Remove the pen from the injection site. Lift the pen straight up from the injection site. If you see 1 or 2 drops of medicine on the needle tip, this is normal and  will not a­ffect your dose. If you see more than 2 drops of medicine on the needle tip, or you see liquid around the injection site after your injection, you may not have received your full dose. If this happens: Do not inject another dose. Contact your healthcare provider for help. Next time you inject, make sure to keep the pen needle in your skin and continue to hold the injection button down while slowly counting to 10.
• Note: As the Bynfezia pen is used, a plunger will appear in the cartridge and move towards the thick line.

6. After the Injection

• Carefully place the outer needle cover back onto the needle.
• Place the outer needle cover on a flat surface. Hold the syringe with the needle attached in one hand and carefully slip the needle into the outer needle cover without using the other hand. Push the outer needle cover completely on. Do not recap with the inner needle cover.
• Unscrew and remove the covered needle. Squeeze the lower part of the covered needle while turning it to the left (counter clockwise). Keep turning until the covered needle lifts away from the pen. It may take several turns for the covered needle to lift away from the pen.
• Throw away (dispose of) the covered needle in a FDA-cleared sharps container.
• Put the pen cap back on the Bynfezia pen and store the pen. After use, store pens with the cap on at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) or in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) for up to 28 days.
• Treat the injection site. If needed, press the injection site lightly with a cotton ball or an alcohol swab. Do not rub the area.

 Cleaning the Bynfezia Pen

• Wipe the outside of the pen with a clean, damp cloth.
• White particles may appear on the outside tip of the cartridge during normal use. You may remove them with an alcohol swab.
• Do not put the pen in water or any other liquid.

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:

• made of a heavy-duty plastic,
• can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out, upright and stable during use, leak-resistant, and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.

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.
 

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer