The prescribed dosage for Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) may depend on a person’s individual treatment plan. Factors such as your medical history may affect your dosage of Sandostatin.

Sandostatin (octreotide acetate) is a prescription drug that has multiple uses concerning growth hormones and certain tumors. The drug comes as a solution for injection. It’s usually injected 2 to 4 times daily. Sandostatin is used to:

  • Reduce blood levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1; somatomedin C) in adults with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery, certain radiation therapy, and the highest dose of bromocriptine mesylate that can be tolerated without serious side effects.
  • Treat severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors in adults (Flushing includes wheezing, sweating, a burning sensation, and discoloration on the skin. It may appear bright red or pink on light skin and deep shades of brown, purple, or violet on dark skin. Metastatic means the tumors have spread from their original location to other parts of the body.)
  • Treat profuse (excessive) watery diarrhea associated with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) in adults.

The active ingredient in Sandostatin is octreotide acetate. Sandostatin belongs to a group of drugs called cyclic octapeptides.

This article describes the dosages of Sandostatin, its strengths, and how to use it. To learn more about Sandostatin, including its side effects and uses, read this in-depth Sandostatin article.

Your doctor likely will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Sandostatin. But be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from what’s mentioned here.

Sandostatin forms

Sandostatin is available as a liquid solution for injection. It may be given by:

  • subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
  • intravenous (IV) infusion, which is given into your vein over a period of time (This infusion is given only by a healthcare professional.)

Sandostatin strengths

Sandostatin comes in three strengths:

  • 50 micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL)
  • 100 mcg/mL
  • 500 mcg/mL

Sandostatin is approved for the following uses:

  • Reduce blood levels of GH and IGF-1 (somatomedin C) in adults with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery, certain radiation therapy, and the highest dose of bromocriptine mesylate that can be tolerated without serious side effects.
  • Treat severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors in adults.
  • Treat profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIPomas in adults.

The prescribed Sandostatin dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from using your medication.

Dosage for acromegaly

The typical Sandostatin dosage for adults with acromegaly is as follows.

Starting dosage: Your doctor typically will start treatment with a dosage of 50 mcg three times daily, to be given by subcutaneous injection.

They will monitor your GH or IGF-1 levels every 2 weeks.

Dosage adjustments: If needed, your doctor may increase your dosage to 100 mcg three times daily, to be given by subcutaneous injection. The maximum dosage is up to 500 mcg three times daily.

Your doctor will monitor your GH or IGF-1 levels after dosage changes. If a dose increase doesn’t provide additional benefit, your doctor may reduce the dose.

Treatment pause for those receiving radiation therapy: If you’re receiving radiation therapy, your doctor will pause your treatment with Sandostatin each year. This pause will last about 4 weeks. During this time, your doctor will monitor your GH or IGF-1 levels. If they increase and signs and symptoms of your condition return (recur), your doctor will resume your treatment with Sandostatin. They’ll determine the correct dosage if restarting your treatment.

Dosage for carcinoid tumors

For adults with carcinoid tumors, the typical dosage of Sandostatin is as follows.

Starting dosage: Your doctor will prescribe a recommended dosage of 100 to 600 mcg daily during your first 2 weeks of therapy. The daily dose will be divided into two to four doses to be given by subcutaneous injection throughout the day.

During treatment, your doctor will order specific tests to monitor your response to the drug.

Maintenance (routine) dosage: Based on the results of your tests, your doctor will determine the right maintenance dosage for you. Doses will be given by subcutaneous injection.

During the studies, various daily maintenance dosages were used. They included 50 mcg daily, 450 mcg daily, and up to 1,500 mcg daily. But dosages higher than 750 mcg daily were uncommon.

Dosage for VIPomas

For adults with VIPomas, the typical dosage of Sandostatin is as follows.

Your doctor will prescribe a recommended dosage of 200 to 300 mcg daily during your first 2 weeks of therapy. This daily dose will be divided into two to four doses to be given by subcutaneous injection throughout the day.

Your doctor will order specific tests to monitor your response to treatment. Based on your test results, your doctor may adjust your dosage as you continue treatment.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you specific instructions for using Sandostatin. Typical recommendations for using Sandostatin include rotating the injection site. This means you need to inject Sandostatin in a different area with each dose.

How long do you use Sandostatin?

Sandostatin is usually a long-term treatment. You and your doctor can determine whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll likely use it long term once you reach your maintenance dose.

Do not use more Sandostatin than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Sandostatin overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose of Sandostatin can include:

Some of these symptoms can develop from overdosage of the drug over an extended period of time.

What to do in case you use too much Sandostatin

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Sandostatin. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number). Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.