Octreotide Acetate Injection

Octreotide Acetate Injection, a cyclic octapeptide prepared as a clear sterile solution of octreotide, acetate salt, in a buffered acetate solution for administration by deep subcutaneous (intrafat) or intravenous (IV) injection. Octreotide acetate, known chemically as L-Cysteinamide, D-phenylalanyl-L-cysteinyl-L-phenylalanyl-D-tryptophyl-L-lysyl-L-threonyl-N-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)propyl]-, cyclic (2→7)-disulfide; [R-(R*, R*)] acetate salt, is a long-acting octapeptide with pharmacologic actions mimicking those of the natural hormone somatostatin.

Octreotide Acetate Injection is available as sterile 1 mL single-dose vials in 2 strengths, containing 100 mcg and 500 mcg octreotide (as acetate), and sterile 5 mL multiple dose vials in 2 strengths, containing 200 mcg/mL and 1,000 mcg/mL of octreotide (as acetate).

Uses

Octreotide Acetate Injection exerts pharmacologic actions similar to the natural hormone somatostatin. It is an even more potent inhibitor of growth hormone (GH), glucagon, and insulin than somatostatin. Like somatostatin, it also suppresses luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), decreases splanchnic blood flow, and inhibits the release of serotonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin, motilin, and pancreatic polypeptide.

By these pharmacological actions, octreotide has been used to treat the symptoms associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors (flushing and diarrhea) and VIP secreting adenomas (watery diarrhea).

Octreotide is used to treat severe watery diarrhea and sudden reddening of the face and neck caused by certain types of tumors (such as carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors) that are usually found in the intestines and pancreas. The symptoms occur when these tumors make too much of certain natural substances (hormones). This medication works by blocking the production of these hormones. By decreasing watery diarrhea, octreotide helps to reduce the loss of body fluids and minerals. Octreotide is also used to treat a condition (acromegaly) that occurs when the body makes too much of a natural substance called growth hormone. Octreotide works by decreasing the amount of growth hormone to normal levels.