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Octreotide (a somatostatin analogue) improves the quality of life in some patients with a short intestine
Author(s) -
NIGHTINGALE J. M. D.,
WALKER E. R.,
BURNHAM W. R.,
FARTHING M. J. G.,
LENNARDJONES J. E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.1989.tb00223.x
Subject(s) - octreotide , medicine , somatostatin , somatostatin analogue , parenteral nutrition , gastroenterology , endocrinology
SUMMARY Six patients with short intestine (jejunal length 25–70 cm) on long‐term parenteral nutrition, needing 4–5 L of intravenous fluid daily, were given octreotide (a somatostatin analogue, SMS 201–995) to investigate whether it would reduce beneficially their secretory diarrhoea (3.6–6.9 kg/day). They consumed the same diet for 2 control days, followed by 2 test days. Octreotide was given intravenously, initially in a dose of 50 μg b.d. through the central feeding line. There was a significant reduction of daily stomal output (0.5–5.0 kg) and daily sodium and potassium output; however there was no significant change in energy absorption. The response to octreotide was greatest in those patients who absorbed least nutrients. A dose increase to 100 μg t.d.s. gave no further measurable benefit though the patients found it smoothed‐out the post‐prandial rise in stomal output. Two patients were continued on long‐term octreotide therapy, which allowed for a daily reduction in intravenous fluid of 1 and 1.5 L. Octreotide's anti‐secretory effect was found to have been maintained when it was retested in one patient after a year of continuous therapy.