Octreotide Acetate
Octreotide acetate
Also known as: Sandostatin LAR Depot · Longastatina · Samilstin · Sandostatina · Sandostatine · SMS-201-995
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical treatment of insulinoma (beta cell tumor) particularly in patients refractory to or unable to tolerate other medical or surgical therapy | 10-40 micrograms (total dose per dog) | SC | 2-3 times a day | — | 🌎 NA |
| Medical treatment of insulinoma | 2-4 micrograms/kg | SC | q8-12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of gastrinoma | 2-20 micrograms/kg | SC | three times daily | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of chylothorax | 10-20 micrograms/kg | SC | three times a day | 2-3 weeks | 🌎 NA |
- Medical treatment of insulinoma (beta cell tumor) particularly in patients refractory to or unable to tolerate other medical or surgical therapy: Used in combination with dietary, glucocorticoid, and diazoxide treatment.
- Medical treatment of insulinoma: Further studies needed to determine octreotide's efficacy and safety.
- Adjunctive treatment of gastrinoma: With omeprazole.
- Adjunctive treatment of chylothorax: Prolonged treatment should be discouraged because people treated for longer than 4 weeks are at risk for gallstones.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive treatment of chylothorax | 10-20 micrograms/kg | SC | three times a day | 2-3 weeks | 🌎 NA |
- Adjunctive treatment of chylothorax: Prolonged treatment should be discouraged because people treated for longer than 4 weeks are at risk for gallstones.
Ferrets
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical treatment of insulinoma (particularly in patients refractory to or unable to tolerate other medical or surgical therapy) | 1-2 micrograms/kg | SC | 2-3 times a day | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Octreotide acetate is a synthetic, long-acting octapeptide analog of the naturally occurring hormone somatostatin. In veterinary medicine, it is primarily utilized as an adjunctive therapy for neuroendocrine tumors such as insulinomas (especially in dogs and ferrets) and gastrinomas.
Key clinical points:
- Insulinoma Management: Helps stabilize blood glucose by inhibiting insulin release from neoplastic beta cells, though efficacy is variable due to receptor expression differences.
- Chylothorax: Increasingly used off-label to manage chylous effusions by decreasing splanchnic blood flow and lymphatic fluid production.
- Limitations: Requires multiple daily subcutaneous injections and can be cost-prohibitive for large breed dogs. It has not proven effective for feline acromegaly.
Mechanism of action
Octreotide mimics natural somatostatin by binding to somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on target cells.
Mechanism pathway: Octreotide → binds to SSTRs (G-protein coupled receptors) → inhibits adenylyl cyclase → decreases intracellular cAMP → reduces calcium influx → inhibits exocytosis of secretory vesicles.
This leads to the potent suppression of multiple endocrine and exocrine secretions, including:
- Insulin and glucagon from the pancreas.
- Gastrin, secretin, and motilin from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary.
Note: Humans possess 5 SSTR subtypes, whereas dogs primarily express one, which may explain the variable clinical response seen in canine insulinoma patients.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to octreotide
Adverse effects
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Decreased dietary fat absorption
- Biliary sludging or gallstones (with prolonged use)
- Injection site pain
Precautions
Caution: Use with care in patients with biliary tract disorders or severe renal dysfunction (dosage adjustment may be necessary). Prolonged use (>4 weeks) may increase the risk of gallstone formation. Safety in pregnant or nursing animals is not fully established (FDA Category B in humans).
Drug interactions
May cause additive bradycardic effects
May increase oral bioavailability
May cause additive bradycardic effects
May reduce cyclosporine levels
May enhance fluid/electrolyte imbalances
May reduce fat absorption
Octreotide can inhibit insulin
May reduce the quinidine clearance
Monitoring
- Blood glucose (for insulinoma treatment)
- Clinical efficacy
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Absorbed rapidly from the injection site after SC administration.
Distribution
Distributed rapidly.
Metabolism
Degraded primarily by peptidases.
Elimination
About 32% of a dose is excreted unchanged in the urine.
Overdose
Serious adverse effects are unlikely with acute overdose. In humans, subjects have received up to 120 mg IV over 8 hours with no untoward effects. Monitor for profound hypoglycemia or gastrointestinal distress and provide supportive care if needed.
Available products
Formulations
- Injection solution
- Powder for injectable suspension (depot)
Human-labeled
- Octreotide Acetate for Injection: 0.05 mg/mL (50 micrograms/mL), 0.1 mg/mL (100 micrograms/mL), 0.2 mg/mL (200 micrograms/mL), 0.5 mg/mL (500 micrograms/mL) & 1 mg/mL (1,000 micrograms/mL) in 1 mg amps, single-dose vials and 5 mL multi-dose vials
- Octreotide Acetate Powder for Injectable Suspension: 10 mg/5 mL, 20 mg/5 mL & 30 mg/5mL in single-use kits (Sandostatin LAR Depot)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
When stored at room temperature and protected from light, octreotide acetate injection remains stable for 14 days. For long-term storage, keep refrigerated. If injecting solution that has been in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature in the syringe before injecting. Do not use artificial warming techniques. It is recommended to use multidose vials within 14 days of initial use.
Client information
- Experimental Therapy: There is very limited experience with this medication in dogs and ferrets and therapy must be considered experimental.
- Administration: Injections must be given 2-3 times a day per veterinarian instructions.
- Cost: The expense associated with this medication can be considerable.
- Monitoring: If treating an insulinoma, monitor your pet closely for signs of low blood sugar (weakness, lethargy, stumbling, or seizures) and contact your veterinarian immediately if these occur.
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.