Octreotide

Key points

• Octreotide: long-acting somatostatin analogue; somatostatin (from pancreatic D cells) inhibits growth hormone, glucagon and insulin release.
• Uses: acute variceal haemorrhage · acromegaly · carcinoid syndrome · prevention of post-pancreatic-surgery complications · VIPomas · refractory diarrhoea.
• Main adverse effect: gallstones (secondary to biliary stasis).