Mode of action
Inhibit release of growth hormone and of various peptides of the gastroenteropancreatic endocrine system.
Indications
Marketed: Acromegaly where surgery or radiotherapy are contraindicated or have failed to control disease, or until
radiotherapy becomes fully effective; Relief of symptoms associated with gastroenteropancreatic tumours,
e.g. carcinoid tumours, VIPomas; Prevention of complications following pancreatic surgery (SC octreotide).
Accepted: Glucagonomas (octreotide).
Specific considerations
Insulinoma: possible increase in severity and duration of hypoglycaemia.
Diabetes: variable effect on blood glucose; adjust dose of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs.
Gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours: occasional sudden escape from symptomatic control with rapid recurrence of severe symptoms.
Pregnancy: avoid use; may produce fetal growth retardation, probably due to suppression of growth hormone; ADEC
category C.
Breastfeeding: avoid use.
Adverse effects
Common: abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gallstones, fatigue, hyperglycaemia,
hypoglycaemia, hair loss, transient local reaction at injection site.
Rare: hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, hepatic dysfunction.
Comparative information
There are no direct comparative data between long acting lanreotide and long acting octreotide. They seem to have
Jordan National Drug Formulary
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similar efficacy and safety.
Practice points
monitor thyroid function during long term treatment
ultrasound of the gall bladder before, and every 6–12 months during, treatment is recommended by the
manufacturers.
Products
SOMATOSTATIN (ACETATE HYDRATE) VIALS 0.25 MG/VIAL (SOMATOSTATIN®)
SOMATOSTATIN (ACETATE HYDRATE) VIALS 3 MG/VIAL (SOMATOSTATIN®)