Endocrine Abstracts

Somatostatin analogues are the first line therapy for patients with functioning neuroedocrine tumours. These drugs prevent the release of peptides which cause symptoms in patients with neuroendocrine tumours. Correct and proper preparation and administration of the analogues are vital in the care of patients. The somatostatin analogues not only provide relief of symptoms, benefiting the patient, but improve the quality of life for patients. The cost of the analogues to the health care system also demands that they are not wasted.

There are a variety of preparations of somatostatin analogues for use, each dependant on the patient's need abd severity of symptoms.A short acting form of octreotide can be given by a subcutaneous route by the patient himself.Two or three doses a day can be given starting at a 50mcg dose. the dose can be titrated up to 500mcg tds as symptoms become more evere.Above this dose, occasionally it is necessary to use continous subcutaneous infusion

Two long acting preparations exist, Lanreotide and Octretide, which are administered every 28 days.The patient on subcutaneous injections nedds to continue these for two weeks after the first long term injection in order for the blood levels to remain constant.

The Lanreotide(Autogel) preparation comes in a prefilled syringe of doses 60mg,90mg and 120 mb for deep subcutaneous injection.It is essential the injection site is rotated and the skin is no massaged after the injection.

The Octreotide(LAR) preparation comes in doses of 10mg,20mg and 30mg.The preparation requires meticulous and precise reconstitution so ti can be adminstered properly.This injection is also given in the outer qquadrant of the buttock by intra-muscular injection.