Octreotide 5mg

What is Octreotide?

Octreotide, an octapeptide, pharmacologically mimics natural somatostatin but exerts stronger inhibition on growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin compared to the natural hormone. This synthetic compound, initially created by chemist Wilfried Bauer in 1979, primarily binds to somatostatin receptors SSTR2 and SSTR5.

Octreotide is employed in the management of various conditions, including acromegaly and gigantism resulting from growth hormone-producing tumors, pituitary tumors that release thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropinomata), diarrhea and flushing episodes linked to carcinoid syndrome, and diarrhea in individuals with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas). Additionally, it finds use in mild glucagonoma cases when surgery is not a viable option.

Medical Application.

Octreotide is employed in the management of various conditions, including acromegaly and gigantism resulting from growth hormone-producing tumors, pituitary tumors that release thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropinomata), diarrhea and flushing episodes linked to carcinoid syndrome, and diarrhea in individuals with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas). Additionally, it finds use in mild glucagonoma cases when surgery is not a viable option.

Octreotide is frequently administered through an infusion to address acute bleeding from esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis. This is done with the expectation that it can lower portal venous pressure. However, current evidence indicates that this pressure reduction is short-lived and does not enhance overall survival.

Octreotide is also applicable in the treatment of acromegaly, a condition characterized by excessive growth hormone (GH) production. Functioning as a somatostatin analog, octreotide hinders GH release from the pituitary gland by engaging in a feedback mechanism.

Octreotide assists in handling fistulas by decreasing gastrointestinal secretions and slowing down gastrointestinal movement, thereby regulating and decreasing their output. However, its effectiveness in healing intestinal fistulas remains unconfirmed, and its regular use is restricted due to associated side effects.

Octreotide is additionally employed to address challenging cases of hypoglycemia in neonates with congenital hyperinsulinism and in adults experiencing sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycemia.

It proves beneficial in managing overdoses of sulfonylurea-type antidiabetic medications, particularly when these cases recur or do not respond well to intravenous dextrose. Octreotide operates by suppressing insulin secretion.

Possible side effects.

Studies have documented side effects including diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. It's challenging to determine whether these effects are linked to the medication or the underlying condition. Administering injections between meals or before bedtime may reduce these side effects. Additional potential side effects encompass nausea, vomiting, and alterations in blood sugar levels.