Octreotide
Octreotide is a **somatostatin analogue** used primarily for the management of pancreatic endocrine tumours (e.g., **insulinoma**, **gastrinoma**) and **acromegaly** in veterinary medicine. > **Clinical Warning:** Research suggests that octreotide is not useful in most insulinomas. Tumours not expressing somatostatin receptors will not respond to therapy. **Clinical Pearl:** While octreotide has been used for acromegaly, newer somatostatin analogues such as pasireotide hold more promise for treatment, though they are currently expensive.
Mechanism: Octreotide acts as a synthetic **somatostatin analogue**. It binds to **somatostatin receptors** (SSTRs) → inhibits the release of several hormones, including growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucagon, and gastrin, as well as reducing splanchnic blood flow and gastrointestinal motility.
Dosing by species
- Management of pancreatic endocrine tumours and acromegaly · 10-20 μg/animal or 10 μg/animal · SC · q8-12h or q8h · As directed · Dose is for the aqueous preparation. Dosages for the depot preparation are not known in animals.
- Management of pancreatic endocrine tumours and acromegaly · 10-20 μg/animal or 10 μg/animal · SC · q8-12h or q8h · As directed · Dose is for the aqueous preparation. Dosages for the depot preparation are not known in animals.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to octreotide
Adverse effects
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Steatorrhoea
- Hepatopathy
- Pain at injection sites
Monitoring
- Blood glucose levels (especially when treating insulinoma)
- Clinical signs of gastrointestinal upset
- Liver enzymes (due to potential hepatopathy)
- Injection site reactions
Overdose
No specific information available in the monograph. Overdose may exacerbate gastrointestinal disturbances and cause significant fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.