Octreotide

Home ] Up ]


Pages Below:

Octreotide


  • somatostatin analogue

Uses

  • acromegalics with persistent raised GH despite surgery/radiotherapy
  • in functional neuroendocrine tumours
  • to reduce portal pressure in variceal bleeding
  • Treatment in patients with carcinoid syndrome, insulinoma, VIPoma or glucagonoma
  • Treat patients with TSH-secreting tumours
  • Effective in acute therapy of bleeding oesophageal varices

Mechanism of action

  • synthetic analogue of somatostatin
  • which inhibits peptide release from endocrine secreting tumours of the pituitary or GI tract

Pharmacokinetics

  • Metabolized hepatically, some excreted unchanged in the urine
  • Plasma t1/2 is 90-120 mins and effects on suppression of hormone secretion last up to 8 hours

Cautions

  • GH secreting tumours can expand causing serious complications

Side effects

  • GI disturbances
  • Postprandial glucose tolerance may be impaired  
 

Home ] Up ]