[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Somatostatin analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/somatostatin-analogues/) › Octreotide [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Somatostatin analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/somatostatin-analogues/) # Octreotide A long-acting copy of somatostatin, given by injection. It lowers growth hormone in acromegaly and controls diarrhoea from hormone-secreting tumours. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [Somatostatin analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/somatostatin-analogues/) - Receptor: Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5 - ATC code: H01CB02 - WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ◎**Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5**Octreotide ⓘ The figure shows octreotide itself (a short cyclic peptide chain) bound to the human SSTR2 receptor with its G protein (cryo-EM). **Target in 3D:** Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5. PDB structure 7Y24 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7Y24) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Octreotide is an eight-amino-acid cyclic analogue of somatostatin that resists breakdown, so it acts for hours instead of minutes. It binds mainly SSTR2 (and SSTR5), Gi-coupled receptors that lower cAMP and calcium entry. It inhibits growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, serotonin, gastrin and VIP secretion, slows gut motility and gallbladder contraction, and lowers splanchnic and portal blood flow. - Octreotide binds SSTR2 on pituitary, gut and tumour cells - Gi lowers cAMP and calcium entry - Secretion of GH, serotonin, VIP and gut hormones falls - Splanchnic and portal blood flow decrease ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Given subcutaneously or IV; long-acting depot forms are injected IM **Half-life** Much longer than natural somatostatin, which lasts only minutes ## Indications - Acromegaly when surgery, radiation or other drugs are not enough [Pituitary adenoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pituitary-adenoma/) - Severe diarrhoea and flushing of metastatic carcinoid tumours [Carcinoid syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/carcinoid-syndrome/) - Watery diarrhoea from VIP-secreting tumours (VIPomas) - Acute variceal bleeding in cirrhosis, to lower portal pressure [Upper gastrointestinal bleeding →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/upper-gastrointestinal-bleeding/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and gas - Pain at the injection site - Fatty stools (steatorrhoea) - Low or high blood glucose ### Serious (rare, important) - Gallstones and their complications - Bradycardia, arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities - Hypothyroidism - Low vitamin B12 with long-term use ## Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to octreotide or its components ## Key interactions **Ciclosporin** Lower ciclosporin levels, with risk of transplant rejection **Insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs** Glucose may rise or fall; doses may need adjusting **Beta-blockers and other drugs that slow the heart** Additive bradycardia **Bromocriptine** Higher bromocriptine levels ## What is monitored - Blood glucose - Heart rate, and ECG during IV use - Gallbladder (ultrasound if symptoms) - Thyroid function - Growth hormone and IGF-1 in acromegaly ## Administration and safety - Immediate-release solution is given subcutaneously or IV; the depot suspension is IM only - Subcutaneous sites are rotated - Look-alike risk between immediate-release and depot products: confirm the product and route ## Nursing care - Check glucose, especially in people with diabetes - Monitor heart rate; during IV infusion, cardiac monitoring - Ask about right upper abdominal pain, fever or jaundice (gallstones) - Teach self-injection technique and site rotation ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Data in pregnancy are limited; it is used only when the benefit justifies it. By lowering GH it may restore fertility in women with acromegaly. ## Memory aid OCTREOtide puts the gut and pituitary on «OCT-OFF»: less GH, less diarrhoea, less portal flow, but more gallstones. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why does octreotide help in acute variceal bleeding? It lowers splanchnic and portal blood flow, reducing variceal pressure while endoscopic treatment is arranged. ## Which long-term complication of octreotide involves the gallbladder? Gallstones and biliary sludge, because gallbladder contraction is inhibited. ## Why can octreotide cause both hypo- and hyperglycaemia? It suppresses both insulin and glucagon; the net effect on glucose depends on which falls more. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/octreotide/) ## Related conditions - [Pituitary adenoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pituitary-adenoma/) - [Carcinoid syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/carcinoid-syndrome/) - [Upper gastrointestinal bleeding](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/upper-gastrointestinal-bleeding/) [← Back to the class: Somatostatin analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/somatostatin-analogues/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Octreotide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693049.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2020); [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); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=H01CB02) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 62 (McGraw Hill, 2025). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/octreotide/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/octreotide/