Long-term treatment of acromegaly with octreotide

Abstract

In order to contirm the effectiveness and tolerability of octreotide in acromegaly, we studied seven patients (4 women, 3 men) after unsuccessful surgery and radiotherapy performed for pituitary adenomas. The patients (29.6±7.9 yr) were treated with octreotide at doses of 300-1500 1g daily for 12 months. Hormonal profiles and ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder were performed before the treatment, after 1 month, and subsequently at intervals of 36 months. The GH fell from a basal level of 18.5±8.3 ng/ml to 7.7±4.3 ng/ml after 1 month (p