Sustained release octreotide may have a role in the treatment of malignant bowel obstruction.

Daily or continuous infusion octreotide is effective in relieving the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with inoperable malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). The sustained release (LAR) formulation of octreotide provides sustained exposure of the drug. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the efficacy of octreotide LAR (20 mg) for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms or nasogastric tube (NGT) secretions in patients with MBO. In patients with NGT (n = 8), octreotide LAR reduced NGT secretions from day one onwards, and NGT was removed in one patient. In patients without NGT (n = 4), octreotide LAR reduced episodes of vomiting and the severity of nausea, and this reduction was maintained throughout the study. Tolerability was good. In conclusion, the more convenient dosing schedule and potential activity of octreotide LAR may have a role in controlling MBO symptoms, and, therefore, it deserves further studies.