Octreotide acetate is used for reducing blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I (somatomedin C) in acromegaly patients who haven't had adequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses.
The octreotide injection is also used for the symptomatic treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors where this agent is believed to suppress or block the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with the disease.
Octreotide acetate is used in order to treat the profuse watery diarrhea associated with the VIP-secreting tumors.
Approval: As an octapeptide, the medication octreotide mimics the natural somatostatin pharmacologically, though it is an absolutely potent inhibitor of growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin in comparison to the natural hormone.
In 1979 Octreotide was initially synthesized by Wilfried Bauer, and binds predominantly to the somatostatin receptors SSTR2 & SSTR5. In 1988 Octreotide was approved for use in the United States.
Dosage Form: Octreotide comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Sandostatin. Always use octreotide 100 mcg as per words by a healthcare professional. Depending on the complication being treated, Octreotide is administered by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection or intravenous (into a vein) infusion. In case patients have liver cirrhosis (chronic liver disease), their doctor may need to adjust their maintenance dose. A doctor will explain to a patient how to inject Octreotide injection under the skin, but infusion into a vein must always be performed by a healthcare practitioner.
Side Effects: Side effects of octreotide are usually mild and not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects may include vomiting, headache, hypothyroidism, cardiac conduction changes, diarrhoea, constipation, gallstones, reduction of insulin release, slow heart rate, nausea, injection site reactions, skin reactions and cramps.
Cost: The octreotide injection price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of octreotide 0.05 mg is around Rs. 380 for a supply of vial of 1 injection.
