Uses of Stilamin: - Acromegaly - Carcinoid tumours - Bleeding esophageal varices GI haemorrhage

Growth hormone antagonist

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.

How to use Somatostatin: Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer. Adult Dose: Intravenous Gastrointestinal haemorrhage Adult: Initially, 250 mcg as a bolus inj over 3-5 min, followed by a continuous infusion of 3.5 mcg/kg/hr until bleeding has ceased. May continue for a further 48-72 hr to prevent recurrent bleeding.

Lengthens the time of hexobarbital-induced sleep & potentiates the action of pentetrazol.

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.

Common - Diarrhea - Abdominal pain - Constipation - Flatulence - Headache - Increased glucose level in blood - Injection site reaction - Gallstones Rapid infusion may lead to abdominal discomfort, nausea, flushing, bradycardia.

Avoid in pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative.

Precaution: Monitor blood glucose levels. May inhibit intestinal absorption thus concomitant parenteral nutrition may be recommended.

Storage condition and expiry date are indicated on the box. Solutions of Somatostatin in physiological sodium chloride are stable for 24 hours.

Growth hormone antagonist

Somatostatin is a polypetide obtained synthetically or from the hypothalamus. It acts by inhibiting the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary. It also inhibits the release of thyrotrophin and corticotropin from the pituitary, glucagon and insulin from the pancreas. It also regulates duodenal and gastric secretions. It may also play a role in pain perception.

Avoid in pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative.