Octreotide — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-06-30

What is Octreotide?

Octreotide is a synthetic long-acting somatostatin analog marketed as Sandostatin and, in its depot form, Sandostatin LAR. It is approved by the FDA and EMA for acromegaly, for the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome and VIPomas (metastatic neuroendocrine tumors), and is widely used in the acute setting for oesophageal variceal bleeding.

Its efficacy is supported by multiple randomized controlled trials, including the placebo-controlled PROMID trial in midgut neuroendocrine tumors.

How does Octreotide work?

Octreotide binds somatostatin receptor subtypes (mainly SSTR2 and SSTR5) on endocrine and tumor cells, suppressing secretion of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, gastrin, serotonin and other gut peptides.

This antisecretory and antiproliferative signaling underlies both symptom control and the slowing of tumor growth seen in neuroendocrine tumors. [INFOGRAPHIC: Octreotide somatostatin-receptor signalling]

What does the research say about Octreotide?

• In metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors, octreotide LAR 30 mg extended median time to tumor progression to 14.3 months versus 6.0 months with placebo (hazard ratio 0.34). ^[4]
• In malignant carcinoid syndrome, long-acting octreotide LAR (10-30 mg/month) achieved durable control of flushing and diarrhea in roughly 66% of patients, comparable to subcutaneous octreotide. ^[2]
• As first-line therapy in newly diagnosed acromegaly, octreotide LAR produced biochemical disease control over 48 weeks that did not significantly differ from surgery. ^[3]

Clinical research & studies

The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.

• [1] Treatment of the malignant carcinoid syndrome. Evaluation of a long-acting somatostatin analogue — Kvols LK et al., N Engl J Med 1986. (open-label trial n=25)
• [2] Octreotide acetate long-acting formulation versus open-label subcutaneous octreotide acetate in malignant carcinoid syndrome — Rubin J et al., J Clin Oncol 1999. (RCT n=93)
• [3] Octreotide LAR vs. surgery in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly: a randomized, open-label, multicentre study — Colao A et al., Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2009. (RCT n=104)
• [4] Placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized study on the effect of octreotide LAR in the control of tumor growth in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors: a report from the PROMID Study Group — Rinke A et al., J Clin Oncol 2009. (RCT n=85 (PROMID))
• [5] Octreotide — Lamberts SW et al., N Engl J Med 1996. (review)

Dosing context

Approved products are used as immediate-release subcutaneous octreotide given two to four times daily, or as the long-acting depot (LAR) injected intramuscularly every four weeks once tolerability is established.

Doses are individualized by indication and titrated to biochemical and symptom response by the treating specialist; this is descriptive context, not a personal recommendation.

Side effects & safety profile

The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal: diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and steatorrhea, most of which attenuate over time.

Long-term use predisposes to gallbladder sludge and gallstones (periodic gallbladder ultrasound is advised), and octreotide can cause either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia by altering insulin and glucagon secretion, as well as sinus bradycardia and injection-site reactions.

Octreotide carries no FDA boxed warning; it is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.

Stacking & combinations

In oncology practice octreotide is sometimes combined with interferon-alpha or sequenced with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumors, not used as a performance or physique stack.

Finding Octreotide vendors

User reviews

Frequently asked questions

References

1. [1] Treatment of the malignant carcinoid syndrome. Evaluation of a long-acting somatostatin analogue — Kvols LK et al., N Engl J Med 1986. PMID: 2427948. View sourceStudy: open-label trial n=25Octreotide relieved flushing and diarrhea and reduced urinary 5-HIAA by more than 50% in about 72% of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.
2. [2] Octreotide acetate long-acting formulation versus open-label subcutaneous octreotide acetate in malignant carcinoid syndrome — Rubin J et al., J Clin Oncol 1999. PMID: 10080605. View sourceStudy: RCT n=93Octreotide LAR 10-30 mg/month controlled carcinoid symptoms in roughly two-thirds of patients, comparable to subcutaneous octreotide.
3. [3] Octreotide LAR vs. surgery in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly: a randomized, open-label, multicentre study — Colao A et al., Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2009. PMID: 19178516. View sourceStudy: RCT n=104First-line octreotide LAR achieved disease control in newly diagnosed acromegaly that did not differ significantly from surgery at 48 weeks.
4. [4] Placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized study on the effect of octreotide LAR in the control of tumor growth in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors: a report from the PROMID Study Group — Rinke A et al., J Clin Oncol 2009. PMID: 19704057. View sourceStudy: RCT n=85 (PROMID)Octreotide LAR 30 mg extended median time to tumor progression to 14.3 vs 6.0 months with placebo (HR 0.34).
5. [5] Octreotide — Lamberts SW et al., N Engl J Med 1996. PMID: 8532003. View sourceStudy: reviewReviews octreotide's somatostatin-receptor agonism suppressing growth hormone, gut hormones and serotonin across acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors.