Somatostatin

Somatostatin is a hormonal polypeptide consisting of 14 to 28 amino acids obtained from the hypothalamus or by synthesis. Somatostatin inhibits the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary, thyrotropin and corticotropin from the pituitary, glucagon, and insulin from the pancreas, and has a role in the regulation of gastric and duodenal secretions. Used in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (including pancreatic fistulae and esophageal varices), insulin resistance, treatment of hormone-secreting tumors, and other hypersecretory disorders. It has a very short duration of action, unlike several somatostatin analogs such as Octreotide, Pasireotide, and Lanreotide. Intravenous administration.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

Its high molecular weight and very rapid elimination half-life (1-3 minutes) make its passage into breast milk very unlikely. Somatostatin is rapidly degraded by peptidase enzymes present in cells and plasma. ^{(Rai 2015)}

Due to its protein nature, it is inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract, and is not absorbed, (it has virtually no oral bioavailability), which hinders or prevents its transfer from breastmilk to infant, except in premature babies and the immediate neonatal period, when there may be greater intestinal permeability.

No problems were observed in an infant whose mother was treated with somatostatin analogues during pregnancy and twelve months of lactation. ^{(Babinska 2021)}

It is used in neonates and young infants. ^{(Costa 2018, Rimensberger 1998)}

Except in the neonatal period, endogenous somatostatin levels increase in response to suckling. ^{(Uvnäs 2020)}

See below the information of this related product:

• Octreotide Acetate (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)