Octreotide (brand name Sandostatin) is a synthetic somatostatin analog approved by the FDA since 1988 to control acromegaly and the symptoms of certain hormone-secreting tumors, including metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas.

Is Octreotide approved for medical use?

Octreotide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Acromegaly, plus symptoms associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas (Sandostatin, 1988); a long-acting depot form (Sandostatin LAR) is also approved. European Union (EMA): Authorised and marketed in EU member states (nationally authorised; brand Sandostatin). Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG as a prescription medicine (Sandostatin and Sandostatin LAR).

Is Octreotide legal in Australia?

Octreotide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG as a prescription medicine (Sandostatin and Sandostatin LAR).

Is Octreotide banned in sport?

Octreotide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not listed on the WADA Prohibited List; somatostatin analogs are not among the prohibited peptide-hormone classes.

Synthetic somatostatin analog (octapeptide); inhibitor of growth hormone and gastroenteropancreatic hormone secretion

Octreotide

Approvedaka Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR, SMS 201-995

Octreotide is a somatostatin analog given by subcutaneous injection or, in a long-acting depot form, by intramuscular injection. It lowers growth hormone and IGF-1 in acromegaly and controls secretory diarrhea and flushing caused by metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas. It has been in clinical use since its FDA approval in 1988, is registered in Australia, and is marketed across the European Union.

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Lanreotide vs Octreotide

Mechanism

Octreotide is a lab-made copy of somatostatin, a natural hormone that switches off the release of several other hormones. It is a synthetic octapeptide analog of somatostatin that binds preferentially to somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5, suppressing secretion of growth hormone, glucagon, insulin, and various gastroenteropancreatic peptides, and reducing circulating IGF-1.

Regulatory Status by Region

United States (FDA)Approved. Acromegaly, plus symptoms associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas (Sandostatin, 1988); a long-acting depot form (Sandostatin LAR) is also approved.
Australia (TGA)Registered on the ARTG as a prescription medicine (Sandostatin and Sandostatin LAR).
European Union (EMA)Authorised and marketed in EU member states (nationally authorised; brand Sandostatin).
WADANot listed on the WADA Prohibited List; somatostatin analogs are not among the prohibited peptide-hormone classes.

See the full regulatory status matrix

Key Studies

Octreotide treatment of acromegaly, randomized multicenter study (Ezzat S et al.) (opens in a new tab) (Ann Intern Med 1992;117(9):711-718; DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-117-9-711; PMID 1416572)
FDA prescribing information: Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) injection (opens in a new tab) (DailyMed / FDA label; indications: acromegaly, metastatic carcinoid tumors, VIPomas; first FDA approval 1988)

Related Clinical Trials

Latest research

Spinal phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor: a case report of thoracic vertebral involvement with preoperative embolization and literature review. (opens in a new tab)
European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · Jul 3, 2026
Beyond biochemical control: headache resolution with pasireotide in a patient with acromegaly and residual tumor. (opens in a new tab)
JCEM case reports · Jul 2, 2026
From Cutaneous Necrosis to Septic Shock: An ICU Case of Pancreatico portal Fistula Complicating Necrotizing Acute Pancreatitis. (opens in a new tab)
Critical care explorations · Jul 2, 2026
GH responsiveness to corticotropin-releasing hormone identifies corticotroph-like somatotroph adenomas in acromegaly. (opens in a new tab)
Pituitary · Jul 1, 2026

See all recent Octreotide research

Common Questions

What is Octreotide?: Octreotide (brand name Sandostatin) is a synthetic somatostatin analog approved by the FDA since 1988 to control acromegaly and the symptoms of certain hormone-secreting tumors, including metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas.
Is Octreotide approved for medical use?: Octreotide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Acromegaly, plus symptoms associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and VIPomas (Sandostatin, 1988); a long-acting depot form (Sandostatin LAR) is also approved. European Union (EMA): Authorised and marketed in EU member states (nationally authorised; brand Sandostatin). Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG as a prescription medicine (Sandostatin and Sandostatin LAR).
How does Octreotide work?: Octreotide is a lab-made copy of somatostatin, a natural hormone that switches off the release of several other hormones. It is a synthetic octapeptide analog of somatostatin that binds preferentially to somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5, suppressing secretion of growth hormone, glucagon, insulin, and various gastroenteropancreatic peptides, and reducing circulating IGF-1.
Is Octreotide legal in Australia?: Octreotide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG as a prescription medicine (Sandostatin and Sandostatin LAR).
Is Octreotide banned in sport?: Octreotide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not listed on the WADA Prohibited List; somatostatin analogs are not among the prohibited peptide-hormone classes.