Treatment of secretory diarrhea in AIDS with the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995.

We have observed two patients with AIDS suffering from severe watery diarrhea refractory to conventional medical treatment. In the first patient the reason for the diarrhea could not be revealed in spite of extensive investigations; however, the clinical picture suggested cryptosporidia infection. In the second patient cytomegalovirus could be shown in colonic biopsy specimens. After failure of several attempts of symptomatic, antibiotic, and antiviral therapy, the long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 was administered to the patients subcutaneously in a dose between 2 x 50 micrograms and 3 x 100 micrograms/day. This treatment resulted in a prompt reduction of stool volume and bowel motions. Somatostatin may be a useful addition to the symptomatic treatment of refractory diarrhea in AIDS.