Secretin, Injection see-KREE-tin

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: peptide hormone

Generic and brand names: secretin, injection; ChiRhoStim

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to increase secretions of pancreatic juice or gastrin (a hormone) before procedures to diagnose:

• problems in your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas
• gastrinoma (a tumor that can cause ulcers)

It may also be given to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• asthma
• inflammatory bowel disease
• liver disease
• problems with alcohol abuse

Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a vagotomy (surgery on the vagus nerve to reduce acid secretion in the stomach).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly. Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the procedure.

The injections are given in a hospital or surgery center. The injection may be given by your healthcare provider, an anesthesiologist, or a nurse trained in the use of this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

You will be observed for about 1 hour after the procedure and then you may go home. Because you should not drive or do anything that requires coordination or quick response, you should have someone pick you up from the hospital.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Black tarry stools, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds, slow heart beat.

Other: Nausea, stomach pain, headache, lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint, sweating, bleeding, diarrhea, flushing.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anticholinergic medicines such as atropine, belladonna, dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Levbid, Levsin, Levsinex), methscopolamine (Pamine), propantheline, and scopolamine

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.