? Anyone ever used "pasireotide" to help with acromegaly?

As I was telling my vet about switching from Semglee to Levemir (Micio got his dose increased to 8u this morning, not sure yet how he'll do) she told me she's trying to get ahold of the IM Dr. to discuss possible treatment with pasireotide: first time I ever heard about this med but don't see much info in here, instead I see many getting results with Cabergoline.
Any thoughts on this medication? Tnx

 

We've had this discussion around here many times and I can't seem to find it right now. I know that Wendy will find it and link.

I will say that the reason Pasireotide isn't used in our cats is because the cost is thousand(s) of dollars per month.

 

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...heir-baby-has-acromegaly.257373/#post-2895788

Here is one fairly recent thread where we talked about Pasireotide.

 

In addition to the outrageous costs, there has only been one small study on it. And that by RVC who had to get the drug donated to do the trial. It also doesn’t normalize IGF-1 or treat the tumour. Part 2 of paper linked shows pros and cons of various treatments.
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...etes-mellitus-and-hypersomatrotropism.242965/

I did get my vet to investigate the availability years ago, and in Canada the price was only slightly less outrageous. I seem to recall around $5000 every three months for a Neko sized dose then. That was for the daily version, she couldn’t find a source for the longer acting monthly dose one, though it was approved for use in Canada.

 

Thank you for the info, I may consider Cabergoline. Any particular side effects especially for cats with IBD, EPI or Heart murmur that you guys are aware of?

 

Hello, I just thought I would add to his albiet a bit late but possibly helpful - our UK based vet has now started sourcing paseireotide from a pharmacy and has adjusted the human medication to cat doses. He is advising this as costing approx £3k per year which seems much more affordable, the study seemed very promising so fingers crossed this option becomes available to more people as time goes on.

I will also post on here to let people know how Ziggy gets on using this

 

That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing this. That would be almost $4,000 in US dollars annually. I certainly could not afford it. SRT would be a lot less expensive for me (although I'm not too convinced lately that it works very well since I'm not seeing it in some of our members' cats.) Keep us posted. If only one day both humans and cats could obtain this drug at a more reasonable price. It's certain that some drug company is making a killing on selling this.

 

Absolutely, I can only hope that it becomes more accessible - I should add that our pet insurance is covering a big chunk of that! The cost would still not be affordable at all if we were covering it ourselves, but it does seem like the price has improved

 

That's fantastic! I hope Ziggy just thrives! Let us know. It always makes me happy and smiling to read good news about our dear, special Acro cats!

 

Not to go off topic but it's funny you mention that, it's something I've noticed as well. I know it can take 2-3 years, but I'm seeing a lot of repeat ones as well. Part of me wonders if it's related to the expertise of those doing it, but I do know it's not a perfect science either

 

As far as repeat SRT cats, I know of exactly 3 of them. Not "a lot". Neko was the first to repeat in North America, I did ask around a couple of the well known researchers. We also have seen cases of hypophysectomy surgery not getting all the pituitary and the tumour regrows.

 

Sorry, just saw your comment...Thank you for sharing this info. Yes, would also be nice if any care for animals could be more affordable so people would be more incline to take better care for their pets.
Please keep us posted about your Ziggy!

 

I asked our specialist vet how much it would cost if we were to buy it, she found out the price and the it was quite higher than my income, and I thought I had a good salary I can't remember how much exactly that was, possibly 7K euros per month? So basically it was a no. I wish it was more affordable.

 

Hi Dasha! I was thinking of you just last week and tried to check up on your kitty. How is Kabosu doing?

 

I could not see a spreadsheet for 2022 so I got worried.

 

Just insane! Thank you for replying though

 

Micio likes the 7.5 units.