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Octreotide, a new somatostatin analogue
1College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
Clinical Pharmacy
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Octreotide, a synthetic somatostatin analogue, effectively treats acromegaly and hormone-secreting tumors by suppressing hormone release. While generally well-tolerated, its use is recommended for specialized centers due to uncommon indications.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Endocrinology
- Drug Development and Therapeutics
Background:
- Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of the peptide hormone somatostatin (SS).
- It mimics somatostatin's inhibitory effects on various endocrine secretions and physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses, adverse effects, drug interactions, dosage, availability, cost, and indications for octreotide.
- To evaluate octreotide's efficacy in treating specific endocrine disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on octreotide.
- Analysis of clinical studies investigating octreotide's effects on hormone secretion, blood flow, and gastrointestinal functions.
- Examination of adverse effects and drug interactions.
Main Results:
- Octreotide suppresses pituitary growth hormone (GH), thyrotropin, and pancreatic islet cell hormones (insulin, glucagon, VIP).
- It reduces splanchnic blood flow, gastric acid secretion, and GI motility.
- Effective in acromegaly and for carcinoid syndrome/VIP-secreting tumors; less effective for nonvariceal GI bleeding and pancreatitis.
- Adverse effects are generally mild, including injection site pain and diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Octreotide is a potent therapeutic agent for specific hormone-secreting tumors and acromegaly.
- Its longer half-life and specificity compared to somatostatin offer clinical advantages.
- Recommended for tertiary-care institutions due to specialized indications and cost-effectiveness.