Octreotide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 21, 2024.

Applies to octreotide: oral capsule delayed release.

Other dosage forms:

• powder for suspension, solution

Serious side effects of octreotide

Along with its needed effects, octreotide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking octreotide:

More common

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• chest tightness
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dry mouth
• fever
• flushed, dry skin
• frequent urge to urinate
• fruit-like breath odor
• gaseous stomach pain
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches or pains
• nausea
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• recurrent fever
• shivering
• sore throat
• stomach pain or fullness
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• trouble sleeping
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Less common

• anxiety
• body aches or pain
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• cold sweats
• confusion
• constipation
• cool, pale skin
• depressed mood
• dizziness
• dry skin and hair
• ear congestion
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• hair loss
• hoarseness or husky voice
• indigestion
• loss of consciousness
• loss of voice
• muscle cramps or stiffness
• nervousness
• nightmares
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• stomach upset or tenderness
• weight gain

Incidence not known

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blindness
• bloating
• blood in vomit
• change in the frequency or amount of urine
• changes in vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• dark urine
• darkening of the skin
• deafness
• decreased vision
• dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from lying or sitting position
• double vision
• eye pain
• hives, skin rash
• itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth of the skin
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• migraine headache
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale skin
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• problems with speech or speaking
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• severe cramping
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• tearing
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperature
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weakness of the muscles in your face

Other side effects of octreotide

Some side effects of octreotide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• difficulty in moving
• joint swelling or redness
• lack or loss of strength
• passing gas
• pressure in the stomach
• swelling of the abdominal or stomach area

Less common

• bleeding after defecation
• uncomfortable swelling around the anus

Incidence not known

• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts

For healthcare professionals

Applies to octreotide: injectable solution, intramuscular powder for injection extended release, oral delayed release capsule, subcutaneous solution.

General

The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, and metabolism and nutritional disorders.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (57.9%), abdominal pain (43.9%), nausea (29.8%), flatulence (25.3%), constipation (18.8%), abdominal pain upper (10.5%), abdominal discomfort, loose stools
• Common (1% to 10%): Fat malabsorption, vomiting, dyspepsia, steatorrhea, discoloration of feces, tenesmus, abdominal distension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): GI bleeding, hemorrhoids, appendicitis, gastric/peptic ulcer
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, vomiting, abnormal stools, severe epigastric pain, abdominal tenderness and guarding
• Postmarketing reports: Intestinal obstruction^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Bradycardia (25%), hypertension (12.6%), conduction abnormalities (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmias, flushing
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, shortness of breath, thrombophlebitis, ischemia, congestive heart failure, palpitations, orthostatic blood pressure decrease, tachycardia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Gallstones (27%), sludge without stones (24%), cholelithiasis (38.2%), biliary duct dilatation (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Transaminase increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, jaundice, increase in liver enzymes, gallbladder polyp
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Acute cholecystitis, ascending cholangitis, biliary obstruction, cholestatic hepatitis, pancreatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (30%), dizziness (20%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, tremor, seizure, vertigo, Bell's palsy, pituitary apoplexy, amnesia, neuritis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperglycemia (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia, edema, anorexia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight loss, dehydration
• Frequency not reported: Depressed vitamin B12 levels, abnormal Schilling's test^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (15.3%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Iron deficiency
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very common (10% or more): Biochemical hypothyroidism (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Goiter, thyroid dysfunction (e.g. decreased TSH, decreased Total T4, and decreased Free T4)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Galactorrhea, hypoadrenalism, diabetes insipidus^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (13.8%), injection site reactions
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site hematoma^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (13.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, bruise, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cellulitis, petechiae, urticaria, basal cell carcinoma^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Joint pain, backache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthritis, joint effusion, muscle pain, Raynaud's phenomenon^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, paranoia, libido decrease^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (31.8%), generalized pain (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Weakness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hearing loss, otitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (18.2%), sinusitis (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cold symptoms, flu symptoms, epistaxis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia, pulmonary nodule, status asthmaticus^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased creatinine kinase^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reaction
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Antibodies to octreotide (25%)

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, visual disturbance
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased intraocular pressure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, pollakiuria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gynecomastia, amenorrhea, polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, vaginitis, nephrolithiasis, hematuria^[Ref]

Further information

Octreotide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer