Octreotide may attenuate absorption and ameliorate toxicity following enteric drug overdose

Drug overdose remains a common reason for Emergency Department presentation. Despite aggressive supportive care, and targeted antidotal therapy, deaths from intoxication still occur. For orally ingested toxins, absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is required before clinical evidence of toxin ingestion become manifest. Herein we postulate that octreotide, a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring somatostatin, may retard toxidrome development through an effect on reducing intestinal toxin absorption. Octreotide may therefore represent a useful adjunct to management of enteric self-poisoning.