Bexarotene
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Drug reference
Octreotide
Somatostatin analogue · Antidiarrheal
Also known as Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR, Octreotide acetate
START
IR 50 mcg SC 1–2×/day, titrate; variceal bleed 50 mcg IV bolus + 50 mcg/h
TYPICAL MAX
~1500 mcg/day SC; LAR 40 mg q4 weeks
STOP IF
Symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, biliary obstruction, severe glycaemic instability
WATCH
Glucose, gallbladder US (chronic), thyroid, heart rate
CDSCO approvedSchedule HATC H01CB02
KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label
- ONSET
- 6min · absorption onset
- PEAK
- 24min · SC Cmax
- t½
- 1.7h · SC t½
- DURATION
- 8h · IR effect
EXCRETION
~32% renal unchanged; hepatic + faecal
route + CYP
INTERACTIONS
6 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
Use only if clearly needed — limited human data
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 9 →
- BexaroteneSevereDatabaseDDInter
- LonafarnibSevereDatabaseDDInter
- CiclosporinSevereDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla
- InsulinSevereDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla
Available in India
56 branded formulations. Look up specific brands in the Drugs workspace.
Mechanism
Long-acting somatostatin analogue; binds somatostatin receptors (mainly SSTR2/5) to suppress GH/IGF-1, glucagon, insulin, gastrin, VIP, serotonin and splanchnic blood flow.
Indications
AcromegalyCarcinoid syndrome and VIPoma symptom controlVariceal/GI bleeding (acute, off-label widely used)Refractory diarrhoea (e.g. chemotherapy, AIDS); pancreatic fistula
Dosing
- Adult
- Immediate-release: 50 mcg SC 1–2×/day, titrate to 100–600 mcg/day divided (max ~1500 mcg/day). Acromegaly LAR: 20 mg IM q4 weeks. Variceal bleed: 50 mcg IV bolus then 50 mcg/h infusion 2–5 days.
- Pediatric
- 1–10 mcg/kg/day SC (e.g. hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia); specialist.
- Renal adjustment
- Reduce LAR starting dose in severe renal impairment/dialysis (clearance reduced).
- Hepatic adjustment
- Cirrhosis: clearance reduced — adjust maintenance dose.
- Geriatric
- May need dose adjustment (reduced clearance).
- Max dose
- ~1500 mcg/day SC (symptom control); LAR 40 mg q4 weeks
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
SC ~30 min
Peak effect
SC ~0.4 h; LAR plateau ~2–3 weeks
Duration
SC ~6–12 h; LAR ~4 weeks
Half-life
SC ~1.7 h; LAR apparent ~weeks
Bioavailability
SC ~100%
Protein binding
~65% (lipoprotein)
Metabolism
Hepatic; some renal
Excretion
~32% renal unchanged; faecal
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to octreotide
Side effects
Common
Injection-site painGI: diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, steatorrhoeaNauseaHyper- or hypoglycaemia
Serious
- Gallstones/biliary sludge with chronic use
- Symptomatic bradycardia/arrhythmia
- Severe hypo/hyperglycaemia
- Hypothyroidism (chronic); pancreatitis
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if clearly needed — limited human data
Lactation
Unknown excretion; avoid or monitor infant
Drug interactions
Lonafarnib
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Ciclosporin
Severe
Database
Reduced ciclosporin absorption → graft rejection risk
Monitor ciclosporin levels, adjust dose
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Insulin
Severe
Database
Altered glucose counter-regulation → hypo- or hyperglycaemia
Monitor glucose closely; adjust antidiabetic dose
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Pexidartinib
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Telotristat Ethyl
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Bromocriptine
Moderate
Database
Increased bromocriptine availability
Monitor for dopaminergic adverse effects
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Oral Drugs
Moderate
Database
Altered GI motility/absorption
Monitor efficacy of narrow-index oral drugs
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
Qt Prolonging Drugs
Moderate
Database
Bradycardia/QT effects additive
ECG monitoring with class III antiarrhythmics etc.
Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla
3 additional low-confidence interactions hidden — those rows lack a documented mechanism or management plan in our sources.
Related guidelines
Acute diarrhoea in children
IAP · Pediatrics · 2022
GI bleeding on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy
CSI · Cardiology · 2020
Empirical antimicrobial use in common syndromes
ICMR · Infectious Diseases · 2019
Abnormal uterine bleeding
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2016
Acute coronary syndrome in chronic kidney disease
CSI · Cardiology · 2020
Ask House about Octreotide
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Harrison 22e, Katzung·Verified: 2026-05-19 · House clinical team·Cockpit curated: 2026-05-19