What is Octreotide
Octreotide is a synthetic protein similar to a hormone found naturally in the body called somatostatin. It is used mainly to treat severe diarrhea and symptoms related to intestinal tumors. It is also used to treat acromegaly, a condition that causes an excess of growth hormones in the body, and symptoms related to other diseases, such as cancer.
How it Works
Octreotide helps lower certain substances found in the body. For instance, insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar, growth hormones and chemicals that affect the body's digestive tract can all be lowered by octreotide. Two types of octreotide are used for treatments. One form, Sandostatin LAR, contains microspheres that are slowly released into the body over four weeks. This is referred to as a long-acting form. The second is a short-acting form, Sandostatin, which is injected in conjunction with Sandostatin-LAR, since the LAR form might take much longer to reach levels to be effective.
How it is Administered
Octreotide is administered two ways. It can be injected beneath the skin with a needle or it can be injected through an IV tubing. The drug can also be self-administered, but only after patients have been trained on self-inject and are given instructions on when to inject and store the medication. Sandostatin LAR is injected into the muscles and administered at least once a month, while the short form can be injected one or two times a day.
Tags: form Sandostatin, growth hormones, symptoms related