At a glance
| Target family | Somatostatin receptors |
|---|---|
| Examples | Sandostatin; Sandostatin LAR |
| Uses | Acromegaly; carcinoid symptoms; VIPoma diarrhea |
| Routes | Formulation-specific injection or other delivery |
| Key risks | Gallstones, glucose and conduction changes |
Overview
Sandostatin injection is approved for reducing GH and IGF-1 in selected patients with acromegaly, severe diarrhea and flushing associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors, and watery diarrhea from VIP-secreting tumors. Long-acting formulations provide sustained exposure for appropriate patients. Symptom suppression can be valuable even when it does not mean the underlying tumor has disappeared. Octreotide is also studied and used in other specialist settings, but those practices must be distinguished from the specific product label. One formulation’s indication or administration method should never be assumed to apply to every octreotide product.
How it works
Octreotide binds somatostatin receptors and reproduces many effects of the body’s inhibitory hormone somatostatin. It suppresses GH, insulin, glucagon and several gastrointestinal peptides, and can reduce splanchnic blood flow. These actions explain both control of hormone-mediated diarrhea and important off-target effects on glucose, gallbladder emptying and digestion. Its receptor profile and duration differ from other somatostatin analogs.
Label-specific uses
The injectable Sandostatin label emphasizes endocrine and symptom control. It explicitly distinguishes those findings from evidence of tumor shrinkage or slowed growth in its original trials. Other formulations and studies should be evaluated separately.
Supporting sources [1]
Antiproliferative evidence
PROMID evaluated long-acting octreotide in metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors and found longer time to tumor progression than placebo. This is evidence for a defined tumor population and formulation, not proof that short-acting octreotide treats all cancers.
Supporting sources [2]
Important adverse effects
Gallstones and their complications, bradycardia, arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities can occur. Insulin and glucagon suppression can produce either high or low glucose. Hypothyroidism and gastrointestinal adverse effects are also recognized.
Supporting sources [1]
Digestive symptoms during treatment
New greasy stools, stool discoloration, loose stools, bloating or weight loss may reflect pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. These symptoms can resemble the underlying gastrointestinal disease, making reassessment important rather than automatically assuming the original illness has worsened.
Supporting sources [1]
Why formulation matters
An immediate-acting injection, long-acting depot and an oral formulation have different absorption and exposure. They are not interchangeable based on the ingredient name alone. The chosen product determines the relevant indication, administration and follow-up instructions.
Supporting sources [1]
Reading this profile
Jurisdiction: United States — FDA-approved prescription medicine; indication and formulation restrictions apply.. Molecular class: Somatostatin analog octapeptide.
This profile was written with AI-assisted research and checked against the linked sources. It has not been represented as a clinician’s review. Evidence summaries describe the cited studies and products; they do not establish that a separately purchased preparation is equivalent.
Sources & references
Follow the original material. Product labels define specific formulations and uses; trial registration describes a study and does not by itself establish benefit.
- DailyMed: Sandostatin injection prescribing information ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27
- Placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized study on the effect of octreotide LAR in the control of tumor growth in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors: a report from the PROMID Study Group. ↗Original research · Checked 2026-10-27