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Octreotide for acute variceal bleeding.
1Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. erstad@pharmacy.arizona.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|May 11, 2001
Summary
Octreotide is an effective treatment for acute variceal bleeding, reducing blood loss and transfusion needs. This medication offers a safe and rapid intervention when compared to endoscopic therapies.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute variceal bleeding is a serious complication of portal hypertension.
- Endoscopic therapies and medications are used to manage bleeding and rebleeding episodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy and safety of octreotide for acute variceal bleeding.
Main Methods:
- Computerized searches of MEDLINE and review of textbooks.
- Inclusion of randomized studies and pharmacoeconomic evaluations of octreotide therapy.
- Extraction of primary outcomes including persistent bleeding, need for intervention, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Octreotide, administered via continuous intravenous infusion, effectively reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements.
- It serves as an initial intervention or adjunctive therapy to endoscopic measures.
- Octreotide has a rapid onset of action and is relatively free of significant adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Substantial evidence supports octreotide's efficacy in managing acute variceal bleeding with few adverse effects.
- Further pharmacoeconomic investigations are warranted.
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