Somatostatin has been approved to treat acromegaly by the U.S. FDA approved on June 26, 2020.

It is used to reduce the amount of growth hormone produced by people with acromegaly (a condition in which the body produces too much growth hormone, causing enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features; joint pain; and other symptoms) who cannot be treated with surgery, radiation, or another medication. It is also used to control diarrhea and flushing caused by carcinoid tumors (slow-growing tumors that release natural substances that can cause symptoms) and vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting adenomas (VIP-omas; tumors that form in the pancreas and release natural substances that can cause symptoms). 

It is used to prevent complications following surgery of the pancreas gland.  It is also indicated to stop bleeding and to protect from re-bleeding from ruptured gastro-esophageal varices in patients suffering from chronic liver disease. This medicine is used to treat people with pituitary tumors that produce too much thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) when other types of treatment (surgery or radiotherapy) are not suitable or have not worked and after radiotherapy, to cover the interim period until the radiotherapy becomes fully effective.

Somatostatin is available as an immediate-release solution (liquid) for injection in the doses of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. It is intended for administration via the subcutaneous or intravenous route. It must be administered only under the supervision of a healthcare professional at around the same time every day. Check for discoloration and the presence of particles before injecting. 

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Somatostatin are nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, hair loss, etc. This medicine could also alter your blood glucose, thyroid, and liver enzyme levels. Report to your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, gall bladder abnormalities, blood glucose fluctuations, or hypothyroidism.

Contact your physician immediately if you experience allergies to Somatostatin and its ingredients. During the Somatostatin injection treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your blood sugar level, thyroid function, and liver or pancreatic enzyme function to prevent serious complications. Report to your doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat, gallstones, problems with blood sugar levels, either too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia), or issues with the liver or kidneys. Discuss with your doctor if you have a medical history of vitamin B12 deficiency.

If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, consult a doctor before taking this medicine. Your healthcare provider will prescribe Somatostatin only if it is necessary for you. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on the treatment as it is unknown if Somatostatin passes into the breastmilk.

It is advised to let the Somatostatin get to room temperature before using the medication if it is kept in the refrigerator. It reduces the possibility of pain at the injection site. It would be best if you didn't heat it, but you can warm it up in your palm. If you experience pain at the subcutaneous injection site, you can get relief by immediately rubbing the injection site lightly.

1. SANDOSTATIN LAR 10 mg powder and solvent for suspension for injection, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised May 2022], [Accessed on 5th July 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1038.pdf
2. Highlights Of Prescribing Information - Somatostatin Injection. Access.fda.gov. [Revised 2019 Apr] [Accessed on 5th July 2023] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/021008s043lbl.pdf
3. Biocon, [Accessed on 5th July 2023], https://www.biocon.com/docs/prescribing_information/ccd/zomator_pi.pdf
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Hormone and related drugs, 7th edition, 2013,237-239.
5. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Hormone and hormone antagonists, 12th edition, 2011, 1113.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.