Scientific Rationale for Octreotide

Octreotide is a Somatostatin compound – IT ACTIVATES SOMATOSTATIN RECEPTORS

Octreotide inhibits peptides known to cause intracranial hypertension

  • Treatment with growth hormone (GH) is known to increase intracranial pressure
  • Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) 
is known to increase intracranial pressure
  • IGF-1 is elevated in obese patients
  • Obesity is a known risk factor for IIH
  • Octreotide inhibits secretion of both GH and IGF-1

Octreotide can reduce intracranial pressure by regulating Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) flow

  • Somatostatin receptors are found in the choroid plexus which produces CSF
  • And in arachnoid granulations, the site of CSF reabsorption
  • Activation of these receptors regulates CSF flow

Octreotide can reduce visual obscurations by regulating ion/water transport systems in the retina

  • Can reduce retinal edema that plays a role in the visual changes