title: Octreotide in the treatment of severe chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) is a common side effect of a number of chemotherapeutic agents. Conventional therapy for severe CID with opioids or loperamide is moderately effective. A prospective trial was conducted using octreotide acetate for treatment of severe CID refractory to loperamide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with grade 2 and 3 CID refractory to loperamide were treated with octreotide at a dosage of 100 microg subcutaneously 3x/day for three days followed by 50 microg 3x/day for three days. Previous chemotherapy consisted of regimens containing fluorouracil, leucovorin, CPT-11, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and cisplatin. Primary tumors were colorectal (n = 23), gastric (n = 3), and other cancers (n = 6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete resolution of diarrhea was obtained in 30 of 32 patients (94%); 5 within 24 hours, 14 within 48 hours, and 11 within 72 hours of treatment. Nineteen patients were treated as outpatients. Thirteen were hospitalized for a median of three days. Response was unaffected by age, gender, performance status, previous chemotherapy or primary tumor site. No side effects related to octreotide were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Octreotide 100 microg subcutaneously 3x/day for three days is an effective, safe treatment for CID given primarily or as a second-line therapy after loperamide failure.
authors: Oncology Unit, Sieff Government Hospital, Safed, Israel. jzidan@internet-zahav.net.il
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zidan
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Haim
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Beny
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Stein
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Gez
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kuten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015282:Octreotide