Octreotide
Aliases: Sandostatin · Sandostatin LAR
Last verified: 2026-09-23
The short version
A somatostatin-analogue octapeptide — approved for acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors and variceal bleeding; "brakes" GH, insulin, glucagon, GI hormones.
Identity & type
- Molecular type
- analog
- Origin
- A somatostatin-analogue octapeptide — approved for acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors and variceal bleeding; "brakes" GH, insulin, glucagon, GI hormones.
Mechanism of action
SSTR2/SSTR5 agonism → inhibition of endocrine secretion and splanchnic flow.
Dosing & routes
Official / clinical context
Approved drug — indications, dosing and warnings are defined by the official label. SC 50–200 mcg 2–3×/day; LAR depot 10–30 mg monthly.
Regulator-approved labeling and published study designs — never a recommendation.
Community-reported practice
SC 50–200 mcg 2–3×/day; LAR depot 10–30 mg monthly. Sandostatin: in acromegaly and NET tumors — GH/IGF-1 reduction, diarrhea/flush-syndrome control; patients notice fast symptom control but also gallstones long-term.
Unverified self-reports. Not medical advice. Not endorsement.
Expected effects (community)
Sandostatin: in acromegaly and NET tumors — GH/IGF-1 reduction, diarrhea/flush-syndrome control; patients notice fast symptom control but also gallstones long-term.
Protocol — official vs community
Official / label
Sandostatin (acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumors, carcinoid/VIPoma, refractory diarrhea): SC 50–200 mcg 2–3×/day. Sandostatin LAR depot: 10–30 mg IM every 4 weeks.
- 01Acromegaly: titrate by IGF-1 and GH response between SC doses or LAR strengths (10 → 20 → 30 mg monthly)
- 02LAR conversion: overlap SC with the first LAR dose for ~2 weeks while depot levels build
Duration: Chronic — disease control requires continuous treatment; symptom control is lost within days to weeks of stopping.
Gallstones, steatorrhea and glucose dysregulation are the long-term costs of broad somatostatin agonism. Rapid symptom relief in carcinoid flushing and VIPoma diarrhea is its signature effect.
Community (anecdotal)
Gray-market vials are typically dosed at 100–200 mcg SC 2–3×/day, mirroring the label. Community discussions revolve around insulin/GH-axis experiments ('glucose regulation') and reactive hypoglycemia rather than its approved uses.
- Cycle:
- Ad-hoc days to weeks; no consistent pattern.
- Break:
- None defined by community practice.
The community footprint is small and speculative. Octreotide is cheap and generic, which is the only reason it appears in this space at all — its pharmacology punishes casual use (biliary stasis, hypoglycemia-adjacent glucose swings).
Human evidence
Standard in NET; Ga-68 DOTATATE imaging + PRRT therapy (Lutathera) built on this ligand.
Preclinical evidence
The preclinical phase was completed and submitted to regulators as part of registration; pharmacology and toxicology details are part of the official label.
Known risks
- Gallstones, steatorrhea, glucose swings.characterized
Teal: characterized in clinical/labeling contexts. Amber: theoretical or reported outside controlled settings.
Unknowns & evidence gaps
- Real-world data outside controlled trials