Octreotide
Also known as: Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR, Mycapssa, Bynfezia
A somatostatin analog for acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumor symptoms. FDA-approved as Sandostatin since 1988. Prescription medication.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Octreotide is a cyclic octapeptide analog of somatostatin that binds mainly somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5. Receptor activation inhibits secretion of growth hormone and, through it, IGF-1, and suppresses release of gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones including serotonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, insulin and glucagon. It also reduces splanchnic blood flow and intestinal fluid secretion, and has antiproliferative effects on some neuroendocrine tumors.
- Half-life
- ~1.7 to 1.9 hours (immediate-release injection); long-acting depot is given monthly
- Administration Routes
- Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intravenous, Oral
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Approved to lower growth hormone and IGF-1 in acromegaly
- Approved for severe diarrhea and flushing from metastatic carcinoid tumors
- Approved for watery diarrhea from VIP-secreting tumors (VIPomas)
- Long-acting form prolonged time to tumor progression in midgut neuroendocrine tumors (PROMID)
Potential Side Effects
- Gallstones and sludge
- Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and fat malabsorption
- High or low blood glucose
- Bradycardia and conduction changes
- Low thyroid hormone with long-term use
Common Dosing
Available as immediate-release injections, a monthly long-acting intramuscular depot (Sandostatin LAR) and oral capsules (Mycapssa) for acromegaly maintenance. Doses vary widely by indication and are titrated to hormone levels and symptoms. Dosing is set and supervised by the prescribing clinician.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to octreotide
- Use with caution in gallbladder disease, diabetes and cardiac conduction disorders
- View
Placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized study on the effect of octreotide LAR in the control of tumor growth in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors: a report from the PROMID Study Group
2009
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Octreotide LAR vs. surgery in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly: a randomized, open-label, multicentre study
2009
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Maintenance of Acromegaly Control in Patients Switching From Injectable Somatostatin Receptor Ligands to Oral Octreotide
2020