Quick answer: what is Octreotide?
Octreotide is a long-acting synthetic version of the natural hormone somatostatin, used to switch off the excess secretion of growth hormone and other hormones.
Quick facts
- Class
- Somatostatin analog (octapeptide)
- Brand names
- Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR
- Approved for
- Acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, VIPoma, variceal bleeding
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection or long-acting monthly depot
- Status
- FDA-approved, prescription-only
- Targets
- Somatostatin receptors (mainly SSTR2, SSTR5)
- First approved
- Late 1980s
- Notable risk
- Gallstones; blood-sugar changes
Key takeaways
- It is FDA-approved for acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and other neuroendocrine tumor conditions, and is also used in acute variceal bleeding.
- It comes as a short-acting injection and as a long-acting monthly depot (Sandostatin LAR).
- A characteristic long-term risk is gallstones, because it suppresses gallbladder emptying.
Overview
Octreotide is a synthetic somatostatin analog — an eight-amino-acid peptide that mimics the body's natural hormone somatostatin, but with a far longer duration of action. Natural somatostatin broadly switches off the release of many hormones, but it is destroyed within minutes; octreotide reproduces the key effects while lasting hours, or weeks in its depot form.[1]
First approved in the late 1980s, it remains a mainstay of endocrinology and oncology. It is used to rein in the overproduction of hormones that drives conditions like acromegaly and carcinoid syndrome.[3]
How it works
Octreotide binds a subset of the five somatostatin receptor subtypes — most strongly SSTR2 and SSTR5 — which are found on the pituitary, pancreas, gut, and many tumor cells. Activating these receptors suppresses the secretion of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, gastrin, and several other hormones, and slows gastrointestinal motility and blood flow.[2]
In acromegaly this lowers growth hormone and IGF-1; in hormone-secreting tumors it blunts the flood of peptides that cause symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea.[4]
Clinical uses & evidence
Acromegaly
Octreotide, especially the long-acting release (LAR) depot, is a first-line medical therapy when surgery does not fully control acromegaly, normalizing growth hormone and IGF-1 in a substantial share of patients.[1]
Neuroendocrine tumors & carcinoid syndrome
It is widely used to control the hormonal symptoms of carcinoid syndrome and other functioning neuroendocrine tumors, and somatostatin analogs also slow tumor progression in some settings.[3][4]
Other uses
It is used off the endocrine path too — for example to reduce splanchnic blood flow in acute variceal bleeding and to manage certain severe secretory diarrheas.
Forms & how it's given
Octreotide exists as a short-acting solution given by subcutaneous injection several times daily and as a long-acting depot (LAR) injected into muscle roughly once a month. Treatment is individualized and monitored by a specialist, often starting with the short-acting form to confirm tolerance before switching to the depot. This is a prescription medicine; we do not provide dosing protocols.
Safety & legal status
Octreotide is generally well tolerated but has characteristic side effects: gastrointestinal upset, and — because it suppresses gallbladder contraction — an increased risk of gallstones with long-term use. By altering insulin and glucagon it can also disturb blood-sugar control. It is an FDA-approved, prescription-only medicine used under specialist supervision, not a research chemical or supplement.
Frequently asked questions
What is octreotide used for?
Octreotide is used to control conditions of hormone excess and hormone-secreting tumors — chiefly acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and neuroendocrine tumors — and also to reduce bleeding from esophageal varices. It works by suppressing the release of growth hormone and various gut and pancreatic hormones.
Is octreotide the same as lanreotide?
They are closely related somatostatin analogs with very similar uses and mechanisms. Octreotide (Sandostatin) was first; lanreotide (Somatuline) is a later analog given as a monthly deep subcutaneous depot. Choice between them often comes down to formulation and individual response.
What are the main side effects of octreotide?
Common effects include gastrointestinal upset, and with long-term use an increased risk of gallstones because octreotide suppresses gallbladder contraction. It can also disturb blood-sugar control by altering insulin and glucagon. It is used under specialist supervision.
Is octreotide FDA-approved?
Yes. Octreotide is an FDA-approved, prescription-only medicine, available as short-acting Sandostatin and long-acting Sandostatin LAR. It is not a research chemical or supplement.
References
Each source links to its original record — peer-reviewed studies, regulator pages, or reference texts, labelled by type. We summarize findings neutrally; a citation is a reference, not an endorsement, and not a claim that its authors reviewed this page.
- McKeage K, Cheer S, Wagstaff AJ. Octreotide long-acting release (LAR): a review of its use in the management of acromegaly. Drugs. 2003. Peer-reviewed study
- Katz MD, Erstad BL. Octreotide, a new somatostatin analogue. Clin Pharm. 1989. Peer-reviewed study
- Cives M, Strosberg JR. Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018. Peer-reviewed study
- Yang LP, Keating GM. Octreotide long-acting release (LAR): a review of its use in the management of acromegaly. Drugs. 2010. Peer-reviewed study