Somatostatin

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Somatostatin is indicated for: Severe acute haemorrhage from oesophageal varices. Severe acute haemorrhage from gastric or duodenal ulcers, or accompanying acute erosive or haemorrhagic gastritis. Adjuvant treatment of pancreatic, biliary and intestinal fistulae. ... Read moreSomatostatin is indicated for: Severe acute haemorrhage from oesophageal varices. Severe acute haemorrhage from gastric or duodenal ulcers, or accompanying acute erosive or haemorrhagic gastritis. Adjuvant treatment of pancreatic, biliary and intestinal fistulae. Prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative complications following pancreatic surgery.

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Somatostatin is contra-indicated: During pregnancy and the immediate post-partum period (puerperium) as well as during lactation. There is no evidence of the drug’s safety in human pregnancy nor is there evidence from animal work that it is free from hazard. In states of proven hypersensitivity to somatostatin.

Somatostatin is a synthetic cyclic 14 amino-acid peptide, which is identical in structure and action to natural somatostatin. By intravenous infusion in humans, somatostatin causes inhibition of growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, insulin and glucagon secretion as well as inhibition of gastric acid secretion. It also affects the absorption, motility, splanchnic blood flow and trophic functions of the gastro-intestinal tract. Physiologically, somatostatin is found mainly in the gastro-intestinal tract and in the hypothalamus.Somatostatin inhibits the release of gastrin, gastric acid, and pepsin which supports its indication in the treatment of upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Furthermore, somatostatin is capable of reducing remarkably splanchnic blood flow without causing significant variations in the systemic arterial pressure, which proves to be valuable for the management of oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. Somatostatin reduces both pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion which makes it effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative complications of pancreatic surgery. The positive effect of somatostatin in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis can be ascribed to its suppression activity of glucagon secretion.

Since somatostatin lengthens the time of hexobarbital-induced sleep and potentiates the action of pentetrazol, Somatostatin should not be administered concomitantly with these drugs or with drugs exerting the same effects.

Nausea, vertigo, and flushing have been reported rarely. Nausea and vomiting have been reported when the infusion rate is greater than 50 µg/min.

Avoid in pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative.

Due to its inhibitory effect on the secretion of insulin and glucagon, the administration of Somatostatin can, at the onset of treatment, lead to a transient fall in blood glucose level. Caution is, therefore, called for in insulin-dependent diabetic patients in whom blood glucose should be measured every 3-4 hours. Simultaneous administration of insulin-requiring sugars should, if possible, be avoided. If necessary, insulin should be administered.