octreotide
Last reviewed 01/2018
Octreotide is a long acting analogue of somatostatin, and is the most effective medical treatment for acromegaly and the carcinoid syndrome.
Actions include:
- reduces splanchnic arterial flow, portal flow - and results in a reduction in portal hypertension - and gastric mucosal flow; it may be used in the treatment of oesophageal varices, gastointestinal fistulas and complications of pancreatic surgery
- octreotide has no proven benefit in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer
- may slow the growth of various gastrointestinal malignancies e.g. pancreatic, colorectal and gastric (1)
Reference:
- BMJ editorial (1994). Somatostatin in gastroenterology. BMJ, 308, 1381-2.