Octreotide in the treatment of the dumping syndrome

The effects of octreotide were investigated in 10 patients with dumping syndrome consequent on gastric surgery. A subcutaneous injection of 50 or 100 micrograms octreotide had a significant beneficial effect on certain objective measurements of dumping: packed cell volume, pulse, and blood pressure in patients with early dumping and blood glucose in those with late dumping. Symptoms were also remarkably reduced, as judged subjectively. Long-term self-administered octreotide, initially 50 micrograms b.i.d. and rising to 100 micrograms t.i.d. as necessary, in 5 patients caused improvement in symptoms in 2. In summary, octreotide has an objective effect on dumping and clinical studies suggest a role for octreotide in patients with severe symptoms.