Somatostatin
Description
Somatostatin is a growth hormone-inhibiting hormone used for the symptomatic treatment of acute bleeding from gastrointestinal ulcers. It may also be used in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Somatostatin
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Flushing
- Slow heart rate
- Palpitations
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Injection site pain
- Skin rash
Uses of Somatostatin
What is it prescribed for?
- Gastrointestinal haemorrhage
- Acute pancreatitis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to somatostatin, somatostatin analogs, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Blood glucose levels
This medicine may alter the blood glucose levels in some patients. This risk is especially high in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Bromocriptine
Phenobarbital
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine should be administered only by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by reducing blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract. It also decreases the secretion of some gastrointestinal hormones and gastric acid. These actions help in controlling bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH), Peptide hormone
Schedule
Schedule H
Somatostatin - DrugBank [Internet]. [cited 13 April 2018]. Available from:
Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptors: from Basic Concepts to Clinical Applications. [Internet]. [cited 13 April 2018]. Available from:
Somatostatin system: molecular mechanisms regulating anterior pituitary hormones. [Internet]. [cited 13 April 2018]. Available from:
Somatostatin [Internet]. Available from: [Internet]. [cited 13 April 2018]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/somatostatin
Somatostatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis: a prospective randomised controlled trial. [Internet]. [cited 13 April 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Apr 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.