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Incidence and medical treatment of octreotide induced gallstones in subjects with resistant acromegaly: A prospective study

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Abstract

Octreotide was used to treat eight patients with acromegaly. Octreotide dose was increased to 1500 mcg subcutaneously per day during the first year, and was then reduced to 600 mcg per day for three years.

After three years of therapy five patients had asymptomatic gallstones. A study of bile salt dissolution therapy (chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid, 7.5 mg/kg of each drug daily in divided doses) was performed with these patients for one year while octreotide treatment was continued. After six months of therapy repeat ultrasound examination showed disappearance of gallstones in one case, and after one year gallstones had disappeared in another two patients. Medical gallstone dissolution is possible during continuous octreotide treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sir George E. Clarke Metabolic Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, BT12 6BA, Belfast

    J. A. McKnight, D. R. McCance & A. B. Atkinson

  2. Department of Radiology, Royal Victoria Hospital, BT12 6BA, Belfast

    J. G. Crothers & E. M. Mcllrath

Authors
  1. J. A. McKnight
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  2. D. R. McCance
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  3. J. G. Crothers
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  4. E. M. Mcllrath
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  5. A. B. Atkinson
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McKnight, J.A., McCance, D.R., Crothers, J.G. et al. Incidence and medical treatment of octreotide induced gallstones in subjects with resistant acromegaly: A prospective study. I.J.M.S. 163, 25–27 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02943009

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