Subcutaneous administration of somatostatin analogs as a major factor in the enhancement of the duration of action.

Somatostatin and Des(Ala1Gly2)desaminol[Cys3]descarboxy-]Cys14[-]D-Trp8[dicarba3,14-somatostatin (Ia) are more potent inhibitors of glucagon, insulin and growth hormone release than the L-Trp8 analog (Ib). However when infused intravenously, these three compounds are equipotent but short-acting inhibitors of pentagastrin evoked gastric secretion in the dog. The duration of inhibition of equieffective antisecretory doses is significantly increased following subcutaneous administration 30 min prior to a food stimulus. The longest duration of antisecretory action is seen with the D-Trp8 analog (Ia) after subcutaneous administration.