Somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) in resistant acromegaly: a preliminary report.
The results of treating 10 acromegalic patients with octreotide are compared with those of bromocriptine. Bromocriptine (5 mg 4 times daily for 5 weeks) reduced mean growth hormone (GH) concentrations from 60 to 35 mU/l in 8 patients; a further 2 patients were unable to tolerate this dose. Ten patients (8 unresponsive to bromocriptine) received octreotide 100 micrograms 3 times daily, rising to 500 micrograms 3 times daily according to monthly 24-hour GH profiles. Two patients were withdrawn from octreotide therapy; in the remaining 8, mean GH fell from 36 to 11 mU/l after 6 months' therapy (a reduction to 22% of basal concentrations, compared to a reduction to 58% on bromocriptine). Asymptomatic changes of glucose tolerance and the development of gallstones were noted; further information on the latter is urgently required. In summary, the smallest effective dose of octreotide should be used and each patient should be monitored biochemically.
Atkinson
A B
AB
Sir George E. Clark Metabolic Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
McKnight
J A
JA
McCance
D R
DR
Bell
P M
PM
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects
D001971:Bromocriptine; D013006:Growth Hormone; D015282:Octreotide