Octreotide in the management of orthostatic hypotension in multiple system atrophy: pilot trial of chronic administration.

The aim of the study was to determine the potential effect of octreotide chronic administration on the functional prognosis of patients suffering from multiple system atrophy (MSA) with orthostatic hypotension (OH). Five patients received octreotide (100 micrograms s.c. injections t.i.d.) during 6 months in an open trial. Patients experienced functional improvement after 6 months of treatment. All of them continued to receive octreotide after the 6-month evaluation period (mean duration: 12 months).