Octreotide

Pronunciation: ok-TREE-oh-tide.

Generic name
octreotide (as octreotide acetate)
Drug class
Somatostatin analogue
Form
Injection solution (50/100/200/500 micrograms per mL, short-acting); long-acting depot suspension (10/20/30 mg per vial, given roughly every 4 weeks)
Route
Subcutaneous or intravenous injection (short-acting); deep intramuscular (gluteal) injection for the long-acting depot form
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Sandostatin / Sandostatin LAR (plus generics e.g. Octreotide Sun, Octreotide GH) (5) · Full directory

What octreotide (as octreotide acetate) is and how it works

Octreotide is a prescription-only injectable medicine that mimics the natural hormone somatostatin. It reduces the release of growth hormone and several other hormones and is used mainly for acromegaly and certain hormone-secreting tumours of the gut and pancreas. (1)

Octreotide is given by injection, either short-acting (usually multiple times a day) or as a long-acting depot injection roughly once a month once your response is established. Your exact dose, formulation, and injection schedule are individually worked out by your prescriber based on your condition and how you respond -- there is no single standard dose for everyone.

Mechanism of action: how octreotide (as octreotide acetate) works

Octreotide is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin with a longer duration of action, inhibiting growth hormone, glucagon, insulin, and several gastro-entero-pancreatic peptide hormones (including serotonin and gastrin). (1)

What octreotide (as octreotide acetate) is used for

Acromegaly

Used to reduce growth hormone and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) levels in acromegaly, usually when surgery, radiotherapy, or other medicines have not adequately controlled the condition or are not suitable. (1)

Carcinoid syndrome and other neuroendocrine (GEP) tumours

Used to relieve symptoms such as severe flushing and diarrhoea caused by carcinoid tumours and other functional gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours. It has not been shown in clinical trials to shrink these tumours or slow their growth -- it is used for symptom control. (1)

VIPoma (profuse watery diarrhoea)

Used to treat the profuse watery diarrhoea caused by VIP-secreting tumours (VIPomas). (1)

Additional uses in some countries

In some countries (including the United Kingdom), octreotide is also used to help prevent complications after pancreatic surgery, to help control bleeding from gastro-oesophageal varices, and for TSH-secreting pituitary tumours. (2)

Before taking octreotide (as octreotide acetate)

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use octreotide if you have had an allergic reaction to octreotide or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1) (2)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any gallbladder problems or history of gallstones -- octreotide very commonly causes gallstones or biliary sludge with ongoing use.
  • Diabetes or any condition affecting blood sugar, since octreotide can cause both high and low blood sugar.
  • Any heart rhythm problems, a slow heart rate, or conduction abnormalities -- bradycardia is common and higher-degree heart block has been reported, especially with intravenous use.
  • Any thyroid problems.
  • All other medicines you take, including insulin or diabetes tablets, beta-blockers, ciclosporin, bromocriptine, and (if relevant) lutetium Lu-177 dotatate treatment.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (2)

How to take octreotide (as octreotide acetate)

  • Short-acting octreotide is usually injected under the skin (or occasionally into a vein in hospital) multiple times a day, as your prescriber directs.
  • The long-acting depot form (Sandostatin LAR) is given by a healthcare professional as a deep intramuscular injection into the buttock, usually about once every 4 weeks, once your short-acting dose and response are established.
  • Do not adjust your dose, frequency, or formulation on your own -- follow your prescriber's individualised plan exactly.
  • If you or a carer inject short-acting octreotide at home, rotate injection sites and follow your training on technique.
(1) (2)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Contact your prescriber or specialist team for specific guidance if a dose (short-acting injection or a long-acting depot appointment) is missed, since this depends on your individual condition and treatment schedule.

Overdose

Seek urgent medical attention if too much octreotide may have been given, or if symptoms such as a very slow heartbeat, severe low or high blood sugar, or significant abdominal symptoms occur. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Diarrhoea, loose stools, abdominal discomfort, and nausea.

What to notice: Diarrhoea, loose stools, abdominal discomfort, and nausea.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Gallstones or gallbladder sludge -- very common with ongoing treatment.

What to notice: Gallstones or gallbladder sludge -- very common with ongoing treatment.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Changes in blood sugar (both high and low blood sugar can occur).

What to notice: Changes in blood sugar (both high and low blood sugar can occur).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia).

What to notice: Slow heart rate (bradycardia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Injection-site reactions, headache, and tiredness (asthenia).

What to notice: Injection-site reactions, headache, and tiredness (asthenia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (2)

Serious warnings

Signs of gallbladder problems — high caution

Symptoms: Upper abdominal pain (especially right upper side), fever, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).

Action: Tell your prescriber promptly -- gallstones and biliary sludge are very common with ongoing octreotide treatment and periodic gallbladder ultrasound monitoring is recommended; complications such as cholecystitis or biliary obstruction need prompt clinical assessment. (1) (2)

Signs of a very slow or abnormal heartbeat — high caution

Symptoms: A noticeably slow, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or chest discomfort.

Action: Seek prompt medical assessment -- bradycardia is common and higher-degree heart block has occurred, particularly with intravenous octreotide during surgical procedures; cardiac monitoring may be advised in at-risk patients. (1)

Signs of significant high or low blood sugar — high caution

Symptoms: High blood sugar: excessive thirst, frequent urination, tiredness. Low blood sugar: shakiness, sweating, confusion, or fainting.

Action: Monitor blood sugar as directed and tell your prescriber about any symptoms -- octreotide can affect insulin, glucagon, and glucose regulation in both directions, and diabetes medicines may need adjustment. (1)

Signs of an underactive thyroid — high caution

Symptoms: Unusual tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, or constipation with long-term treatment.

Action: Routine thyroid function monitoring is recommended during long-term octreotide treatment -- tell your prescriber about any of these symptoms. (1) (6)

Interactions

  • Ciclosporin levels may fall because octreotide can reduce its absorption -- monitoring may be needed. (1) (2)
  • Insulin and oral diabetes medicines may need dose adjustment, since octreotide affects insulin and glucose regulation. (1)
  • Beta-blockers and some calcium-channel blockers can add to octreotide's heart-rate-slowing effect -- dose adjustment may be needed. (1) (2)
  • Bromocriptine levels may increase when combined with octreotide. (1) (2)
  • For patients receiving lutetium Lu-177 dotatate (a radioactive cancer treatment), short-acting octreotide is generally paused for at least 24 hours before each dotatate dose under specialist direction, because the two compete for the same receptors. (1)
  • Medicines with a narrow safety margin that are broken down by the CYP3A4 liver enzyme (such as quinidine) may need closer monitoring when combined with octreotide. (1) (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Human data on octreotide in pregnancy are limited. Animal studies at much higher doses than typically used in humans did not show harm to the developing baby, and postmarketing reports of pregnancies exposed to octreotide have not shown a clear pattern of birth defects, but discuss the balance of benefits and risks with your prescriber. Because improving hormone levels (e.g. in acromegaly) can sometimes restore fertility, use reliable contraception if pregnancy is not intended. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

There is no human milk data; octreotide passes into milk at low levels in animal studies. Some regulators (e.g. the UK) advise against breastfeeding during treatment -- discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Use in children is individually directed by a specialist; the evidence base is smaller than in adults. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the sources reviewed, but monitoring for gallbladder, blood sugar, and cardiac effects applies to all age groups. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic Impairment

Liver problems can affect octreotide handling in the body -- tell your prescriber about any liver disease so your monitoring and dose can be adjusted appropriately. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Renal Impairment

Kidney problems can affect octreotide handling in the body -- tell your prescriber about any kidney disease. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Baseline gallbladder ultrasound (for long-term treatment)
  • Baseline thyroid function (TSH, T4)
  • Baseline blood glucose
  • Baseline heart rate/ECG where clinically indicated
  • Hormone levels relevant to the condition being treated (e.g. GH/IGF-1 for acromegaly)

During treatment

  • Periodic gallbladder ultrasound (commonly around every 6-12 months) during long-term treatment.
  • Periodic thyroid function tests during long-term treatment.
  • Blood glucose monitoring, especially at treatment initiation and after dose changes.
  • Heart rate/rhythm monitoring, particularly for intravenous use or in at-risk patients.
  • Vitamin B12 monitoring is recommended in some patients.
(1) (2)

Storage

Refrigerate short-acting octreotide ampoules at 2-8°C (36-46°F); once at room temperature and protected from light, it is generally stable for up to 14 days, but check the specific product labelling. Do not freeze. Long-acting depot (LAR) formulations are prepared and given by a healthcare professional and stored per the specific product instructions.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information and UK emc SmPC; verify against the current full label in the relevant jurisdiction before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, VIPoma

Dose summary: SC/IV, individualised. Acromegaly: initial 50 mcg 2-3 times daily, maintenance typically 100-500 mcg three times daily. Carcinoid: 100-600 mcg/day divided. VIPoma: 200-300 mcg/day divided, assessed over ~2 weeks. Sandostatin LAR depot for chronic maintenance once short-acting response established, given IM roughly every 4 weeks.

Renal context: Not extensively established in the source reviewed for this dossier; renal impairment can alter drug handling and should prompt closer monitoring. (1)

United Kingdom

Indication: Acromegaly, GEP tumours, pancreatic-surgery prophylaxis, bleeding varices, TSH-secreting adenomas

Dose summary: Acromegaly 0.05-0.1 mg SC every 8-12h (maintenance ~0.3 mg/day, max 1.5 mg/day). GEP tumours 0.05 mg once/twice daily titrated to 0.1-0.2 mg three times daily. Pancreatic surgery: 0.1 mg three times daily for 7 days. Variceal bleeding: 25 mcg/hour IV infusion up to 5 days (max recommended infusion rate 50 mcg/hour). TSH adenomas: 100 mcg three times daily SC.

Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (2)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Hepatic impairment can alter octreotide clearance; monitor closely and adjust as clinically indicated.

Overdose note

Reported overdose experience is limited; manage supportively with monitoring of heart rate/rhythm and blood glucose, and symptomatic treatment as needed. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is octreotide (Sandostatin) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, both as short-acting Sandostatin injection and the long-acting Sandostatin LAR depot. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Why do I need regular gallbladder ultrasounds while on octreotide?

Long-term octreotide treatment very commonly causes gallstones or gallbladder sludge, so periodic ultrasound monitoring (commonly around every 6-12 months) is recommended to catch problems early, even if you have no symptoms. (1) (2)

Can octreotide affect my blood sugar?

Yes -- it can cause either high or low blood sugar because it affects insulin and glucagon release. Your prescriber will monitor your glucose, especially when starting treatment or changing your dose. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of octreotide (as octreotide acetate)?

Octreotide is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin with a longer duration of action, inhibiting growth hormone, glucagon, insulin, and several gastro-entero-pancreatic peptide hormones (including serotonin and gastrin). (1)

What is the generic name of Octreotide?

The generic name is octreotide (as octreotide acetate). (1)

What class of drug is octreotide (as octreotide acetate)?

Octreotide is classed as: Somatostatin analogue. (1)

References

  1. SANDOSTATIN (octreotide acetate) Injection -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Sandostatin 50 microgram/1ml solution for injection/infusion -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Sandostatin (octreotide) -- EU authorisation and reference-product record (via Mycapssa/Oczyesa EPAR documentation and referral records)European Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. SANDOSTATIN (octreotide acetate injection) and Sandostatin LAR Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. SANDOSTATIN and SANDOSTATIN LAR -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. Sandostatin LAR / Octreotide -- New Zealand Data SheetsMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient octreotide (as octreotide acetate) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Mycapssa20 mg · chiesi usa, inc.
  • Sandostatin100 ug/mL, 500 ug/mL, 50 ug/mL · novartis pharmaceuticals corporation
  • BYNFEZIA Pen2.5 mg/mL · sun pharmaceutical industries, inc.

United Kingdom

  • Sandostatin / Sandostatin LAR (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 50/100/500 mcg/mL injection, 10/20/30 mg LAR · Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd (also Teva UK Limited for some formulations)

Canada

  • SANDOSTATIN
  • OCTREOTIDE ACETATE OMEGA
  • SANDOSTATIN LAR
  • OCPHYL

Australia

  • Sandostatin / Sandostatin LAR (plus generics e.g. Octreotide Sun, Octreotide GH) (5)TGA ARTG registered 1993-01-05 confirmed · 50/500 mcg/mL injection, 30 mg LAR · Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Sandostatin LAR / Octreotide Depot / octreotide injection (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · 10/20/30 mg LAR, short-acting injection · Novartis New Zealand Ltd and generic sponsors (e.g. Teva)
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Sandostatin / Sandostatin LAR (3)

This page provides general reference information about octreotide (Sandostatin) and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

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