Octreoteva Long Acting (Octreotide)

Octreotide is a synthetic somatostatin analogue that modulates neuroendocrine and gastrointestinal hormone pathways.

• Acromegaly: reduces excess growth hormone secretion and controls disease activity.
• Neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid syndrome): alleviates flushing and diarrhoea associated with serotonin excess.
• Severe diarrhea associated with vaso‑active intestinal peptide (VIP) tumours (VIPoma): decreases intestinal secretions and improves fluid balance.

• Octreotide binds with high affinity to somatostatin receptors (mainly subtypes sst‑1, sst‑2 and sst‑3). Receptor activation inhibits adenylate cyclase, reduces cyclic AMP formation, and suppresses the release of several hormones and peptides such as growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, gastrin and vaso‑active intestinal peptide, leading to the indicated therapeutic effects.

Octreotide may cause a range of adverse reactions, most of which are mild to moderate and reversible.

Common Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhoea.
• Injection‑site reactions such as pain, erythema or induration.
• Gallbladder sludge or gallstones.
• Hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia, reflecting altered insulin dynamics.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Significant cardiac arrhythmias.
• Profound electrolyte disturbances, particularly hyper‑ or hyponattrative ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  ​

Octreotide should be used under careful clinical supervision, with attention to patient‑specific factors and monitoring requirements.

• Renal impairment: dose adjustment may be required in severe renal dysfunction.
• Hepatic dysfunction: monitor liver enzymes and consider dose modification.
• Glucose metabolism: monitor blood glucose regularly, especially in diabetic patients.
• Gallbladder disease: assess risk of gallstone formation during long‑term therapy.
• Pregnancy and lactation: evaluate risk‑benefit ratio; use only if clearly indicated.
• Store at 2-8°C: keep refrigerated, protect from light, do not freeze or shake.

Octreotide may interact with several concomitant medicines, altering efficacy or safety.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Cyclic      ​ ​  ​ ​  ​  ​  ​  ​  -        """"  "  """  """ "" """ "" "  "" " "" " "  "" " "  " "" "" "  "  " "  " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 

-   Moderate  -  -  -