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[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · Class

# Somatostatin analogues

Long-lasting copies of somatostatin, the body's «stop» hormone. They lower growth hormone and gut hormone secretion.

Updated 2026-11-01

## What they are

Synthetic peptides that mimic somatostatin but last much longer. They treat acromegaly and the symptoms of neuroendocrine tumours (carcinoid syndrome, VIPomas), and in cirrhosis they lower portal pressure during variceal bleeding.

## Mechanism of action

They bind somatostatin receptors (mainly SSTR2 and SSTR5), Gi-coupled receptors that lower cAMP and calcium entry. This inhibits secretion of growth hormone, TSH, insulin, glucagon, gastrin, serotonin and vasoactive intestinal peptide, reduces gut motility and gallbladder contraction, and lowers splanchnic blood flow.

Target: Somatostatin receptors SSTR2 and SSTR5 (Gi-coupled)

## Key points

- Gallstones are a classic long-term effect: the gallbladder contracts less.
- They can cause both hypo- and hyperglycaemia because they lower insulin and glucagon.
- In acromegaly they lower growth hormone and IGF-1 when surgery is not enough.
- Octreotide is used in acute variceal bleeding because it lowers portal blood flow.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Octreotide** A long-acting copy of somatostatin, given by injection. It lowers growth hormone in acromegaly and controls diarrhoea… Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/octreotide/)

## Others in the class

- Lanreotide
- Pasireotide

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why do somatostatin analogues cause gallstones?

They inhibit cholecystokinin release and gallbladder contraction, so bile stagnates and forms sludge and stones.

## Which G protein do somatostatin receptors use?

Gi: it lowers cAMP and calcium entry, which inhibits hormone secretion.

## Which hormone and marker fall when acromegaly responds to a somatostatin analogue?

Growth hormone and IGF-1 (somatomedin C), the marker used to follow treatment.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - OCTREOTIDE ACETATE injection, solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9502860d-0261-4d69-a4be-827a5376d356) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 37 (McGraw Hill, 2025); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 62 (McGraw Hill, 2025).

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