Abstract

Octreotide (Sandostatin - Sandoz) is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin. Like somatostatin it inhibits peptide release from endocrine secreting tumours of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system and the pituitary. Octreotide is licensed for the treatment of patients with the GEP tumours, VIPoma, glucagonoma and carcinoid, but not, as yet, for acromegaly and thyrotoxicosis secondary to pituitary adenoma.