Octreotide is a peptide drug used to treat acromegaly as well as diarrhea associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide secreting tumors. Acromegaly is a disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH), increasing the growth of body tissues and causing metabolic dysfunction.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Octreotide binds to somatostatin receptors coupled to phospholipase C through G proteins and leads to smooth muscle contraction in the blood vessels. Downstream effects that stimulate phospholipase C, the production of 1, 4,5-inositol triphosphate, and action on the L-type calcium channels lead to the inhibition of growth hormone, treating the various growth-hormone and metabolic effects of acromegaly.
Octreotide's suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH), reduction in splanchnic blood flow, and inhibition of serotonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, motilin, and pancreatic polypeptide provide relief for the gastrointestinal and flushing symptoms of carcinoid and/or VIPoma tumors.
- Primary indication
- Octreotide by injection is used for the treatment of acromegaly and the reduction of flushing and diarrhea symptoms related to carcinoid tumors and/or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIPoma) tumors.Curator reviewed · 5 structured indications
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1988
- Also known as
- Octrotide
- Code names
- CAM-2029 · Debio 4126 · DRG-0115 · SMS 201-995 · SMS995 · SMS995-AAA
- Brand names
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Octreotide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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