Somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) in resistant acromegaly: a preliminary report

The results of treating 10 acromegalic patients with octreotide are compared with those of bromocriptine. Bromocriptine (5 mg 4 times daily for 5 weeks) reduced mean growth hormone (GH) concentrations from 60 to 35 mU/l in 8 patients; a further 2 patients were unable to tolerate this dose. Ten patients (8 unresponsive to bromocriptine) received octreotide 100 micrograms 3 times daily, rising to 500 micrograms 3 times daily according to monthly 24-hour GH profiles. Two patients were withdrawn from octreotide therapy; in the remaining 8, mean GH fell from 36 to 11 mU/l after 6 months' therapy (a reduction to 22% of basal concentrations, compared to a reduction to 58% on bromocriptine). Asymptomatic changes of glucose tolerance and the development of gallstones were noted; further information on the latter is urgently required. In summary, the smallest effective dose of octreotide should be used and each patient should be monitored biochemically.