Lanreotide

Products

Lanreotide is commercially available as a solution for injection (Somatuline Autogel). It has been approved in many countries since 2004.

Structure and properties

Lanreotide is present in the drug as lanreotide acetate. It is a synthetic octapeptide analog of somatostatin with the following structure: D-βNal-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2, x(CH3COOH), where x = 1 to 2

Effects

Lanreotide (ATC H01CB03) has antisecretory and growth inhibitory properties. It is more active than somatostatin and has a much longer half-life of up to one month. Lanreotide lowers levels of the growth hormone somatropin (STH) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), among others. The effects are due to binding to somatostatin receptors, particularly SSTR 2 and SSTR 5, which are important for STH inhibition. Lanreotide further also inhibits the release of several hormones of the gastroenteropancreatic endocrine system.

Indications

  • As a second-line agent for the treatment of acromegaly.
  • For the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

Dosage

According to the professional information. The drug is injected deep subcutaneously into the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity

For complete precautions, see the drug label.

Adverse effects

The most common possible adverse effects include digestive disturbances such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, gallstones, and injection site reactions such as pain, nodules, and induration.