Octreotide
Octreotide (somatostatin analogue)
Also known as: Sandostatin
An FDA-approved long-acting somatostatin analogue used for acromegaly and hormone-secreting tumors.
Overview
Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin engineered to last far longer than the native hormone. It is FDA-approved as Sandostatin for acromegaly (growth hormone excess) and for symptoms of certain neuroendocrine tumors such as carcinoid. It is a mainstay approved peptide drug in endocrinology.
Mechanism of action
Activates somatostatin receptors to suppress growth hormone and multiple gut and pancreatic hormones.
Key studies & citations
- Human1986
Treatment of the malignant carcinoid syndrome. Evaluation of a long-acting somatostatin analogue
SMS 201-995 promptly relieved flushing and diarrhea in 22 of 25 patients with metastatic carcinoid syndrome.
New England Journal of Medicine - Human1992
Octreotide treatment of acromegaly. A randomized, multicenter study
115 patients: octreotide lowered GH to below 5 micrograms/L in 53% and normalized IGF-1 in 68%.
Annals of Internal Medicine - Review1996
Octreotide
Lamberts' review of octreotide pharmacology and its uses in acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors.
New England Journal of Medicine - Review2005
Long-acting somatostatin analog therapy of acromegaly: a meta-analysis
Octreotide LAR met GH and IGF-1 targets in a greater proportion of unselected patients than lanreotide SR.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Frequently asked questions
How does octreotide relate to growth hormone peptides?
It is the opposite: rather than releasing GH, it mimics somatostatin to suppress it, which is why it treats acromegaly (too much growth hormone).