The Basics
What is Octreotide?
Used to treat severe diarrhea and other symptoms that occur with certain intestinal tumors or metastatic carcinoid tumors.
Brand names for Octreotide
Mycapssa
How Octreotide is classified
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal, Gastrointestinal Agents, Somatostatin Analogs
Octreotide During Pregnancy
Octreotide pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Octreotide while pregnant
N/A
Taking Octreotide While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Octreotide?
The excretion of octreotide into breastmilk has not been studied. However, because it has a high molecular weight of 1019 daltons it is likely to be poorly excreted into breastmilk. It is poorly absorbed orally and has been safely administered directly to infants by injection, so it is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant.[1] One breastfed infant experienced no adverse effects during maternal use of octreotide. Until more data are available, octreotide should be used in nursing mothers with careful infant monitoring, especially if the infant is under 2 months of age.
Maternal / infant drug levels
The excretion of octreotide into breastmilk has not been studied. However, because it has a high molecular weight of 1019 daltons it is likely to be poorly excreted into breastmilk. It is poorly absorbed orally and has been safely administered directly to infants by injection, so it is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant.[1] One breastfed infant experienced no adverse effects during maternal use of octreotide. Until more data are available, octreotide should be used in nursing mothers with careful infant monitoring, especially if the infant is under 2 months of age.
Possible effects of Octreotide on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Octreotide
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. van der Steen I, van Albada ME, Mohnike K et al. A multicenter experience with long-acting somatostatin analogues in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism. Horm Res Paediatr. 2018;89:82-9. PMID: 29241206
2. Colao A, Merola B, Ferone D, Lombardi G. Acromegaly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997;82:2777-81. PMID: 9284694
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
