Read article Somatostatin analogues
This page tells you about somatostatin analogue treatments for carcinoid.
Somatostatin analogues
Somatostatin is a protein made naturally in the body. It slows down the production of many hormones, including gut hormones and growth hormone. It also slows down the emptying of the stomach and bowel, and controls the release of hormones from the pancreas.
If you have carcinoid syndrome you may have a man made type of somatostatin as part of your treatment. There are two of these drugs - octreotide (Sandostatin) and lanreotide (Somatuline LA). They help to control the hormones that cause diarrhoea and skin flushing.
Side effects of somatostatin analogues
The main side effects are loss of appetite, feeling sick, feeling bloated, stomach pain, fatigue (tiredness), and increased diarrhoea (this is rare). You may have raised or lowered blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic you need to check your blood sugar more often. You may also need fewer diabetic tablets and less insulin.
If you are having octreotide over many months you may develop gallstones. You have an ultrasound scan of your gallbladder before you start treatment and then every 6 to 12 months. Between 1 and 5 out of 10 people (10 to 50%) will develop gallstones while they are having octreotide.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating carcinoid section.
Somatostatin is a protein made naturally in the body by
- A gland in the brain (hypothalamus)
- The stomach
- The pancreas
- The bowel
Somatostatin does several things
- It slows down hormone production, including many of the gut hormones
- It slows down the emptying of the stomach and bowel
- It controls the release of hormones made by the pancreas, including insulin
- It slows down or stops the release of growth hormones
If you have carcinoid syndrome you may have a man made type of somatostatin as part of your treatment. There are two of these drugs
- Octreotide (Sandostatin)
- Lanreotide (Somatuline LA)
The symptoms of carcinoid syndrome include diarrhoea and flushing. The hormones released by the tumour cause these symptoms. Somatostatin analogues work by slowing down the production of hormones, particularly growth hormone and serotonin. Reducing these hormones helps to control the diarrhoea and skin flushing.
You usually have octreotide as an injection just under your skin (subcutaneously) up to 3 times a day. It controls the diarrhoea and flushing in 7 out of 10 people (70%). There is also a slow release form of the drug, which you have as an injection every 4 weeks into the muscle in your bottom.
Instead you may have lanreotide as an injection into a muscle in your bottom (intramuscularly) every 2 or 4 weeks.
The main side effects of somatostatin analogues are
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling sick
- Feeling bloated
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Increased diarrhoea (this is rare)
You may have raised or lowered blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic you need to check your blood sugar more often. You may also need fewer diabetic tablets and less insulin.
If you are having octreotide over many months you may develop gallstones. You have an ultrasound scan of your gallbladder before you start treatment and then every 6 to 12 months. Between 1 and 5 out of 10 people (10 to 50%) will develop gallstones while they are having octreotide.
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