Comprehensive medication guide to Octreotide including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$25–$100 copay for generic IR with prior authorization; specialty tier copay/coinsurance for LAR formulations, often 20–30% coinsurance.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$40–$110 for generic immediate-release injection (10 vials); $3,000–$5,500/month for generic LAR; $6,700–$8,500/month for brand Sandostatin LAR.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Octreotide is a synthetic analog of the natural hormone somatostatin. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of acromegaly (excess growth hormone), carcinoid syndrome (severe diarrhea and flushing from metastatic carcinoid tumors), and VIPomas (watery diarrhea from vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors). The oral capsule form, Mycapssa, is approved for long-term maintenance in acromegaly patients who have responded to injectable octreotide or lanreotide.
Beyond its approved uses, Octreotide is widely used off-label for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, esophageal variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, dumping syndrome, refractory diarrhea, and prevention of carcinoid crisis during surgery.
![Why Is Octreotide So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2F04fdeb1fa096a5aa709cd5e010ea3e6a80c0aeb0-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
![How to Find a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Octreotide Near You [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2Fdff0541b1746ccc478ca6fd24f0228b54c39893d-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Octreotide mimics the action of somatostatin, a hormone that naturally inhibits the release of many other hormones and biological substances. It works by binding to somatostatin receptors (primarily SSTR2 and SSTR5) on target cells throughout the body.
Once bound, Octreotide activates inhibitory G proteins, which suppress adenylyl cyclase activity and modulate calcium channels. This cascade results in:
The LAR (long-acting release) formulation uses biodegradable microspheres that slowly release Octreotide over approximately 4 weeks, allowing once-monthly dosing.
Immediate-release injection — injection
50 mcg/mL, 100 mcg/mL, 200 mcg/mL, 500 mcg/mL, and 1000 mcg/mL vials
Sandostatin LAR Depot (intramuscular)
10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg kits
Generic Octreotide LAR (Teva)
10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg kits
Bynfezia Pen (subcutaneous)
50 mcg, 100 mcg, and 500 mcg per injection (discontinued by Sun Pharma in 2021)
Mycapssa oral capsules
20 mg delayed-release capsules
Octreotide has a findability score of 45 out of 100, meaning it is frequently difficult to find — especially in LAR (long-acting) formulations. As of 2025–2026, intermittent shortages have been reported across manufacturers, particularly for LAR depot kits. Sagent has reported manufacturing delays for immediate-release injection, and Teva's generic LAR 20 mg kit has experienced back-order issues.
Generic immediate-release octreotide injection is available from multiple manufacturers (Avet, Fresenius Kabi, Hikma, Sagent), so the subcutaneous form is generally easier to find. However, the LAR formulations — which are the most commonly used for long-term maintenance — remain supply-constrained due to manufacturing complexity of the microsphere formulation and a limited number of producers.
If you're having trouble finding Octreotide, Medfinder can help locate pharmacies with current stock near you.
Octreotide is typically prescribed by specialists, including:
Most insurance plans require the prescriber to be a specialist or to have specialist consultation for prior authorization approval. Octreotide LAR must be administered by a healthcare professional, while immediate-release injections can often be self-administered at home after training.
No, Octreotide is not a controlled substance. It does not have a DEA schedule classification. However, access to Octreotide is still tightly regulated through insurance prior authorization requirements, specialty pharmacy distribution for LAR formulations, and prescriber specialty restrictions on many plans.
Serious side effects can include gallstones requiring surgery, pancreatitis, bradycardia, severe blood sugar changes, hypothyroidism, and intestinal obstruction. Long-term users should have regular gallbladder monitoring.
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Lanreotide (Somatuline Depot)
Another somatostatin analog given as a deep subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks. FDA-approved for acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, with a prefilled syringe for easier administration.
Pasireotide (Signifor / Signifor LAR)
A second-generation somatostatin analog that binds to a broader range of receptors (SSTR1, 2, 3, and 5). Used for acromegaly when first-generation SSAs are not adequate, and for Cushing's disease. Higher risk of hyperglycemia.
Pegvisomant (Somavert)
A growth hormone receptor antagonist for acromegaly. Works by blocking GH action rather than suppressing release. Used when somatostatin analogs are not fully effective.
Telotristat Ethyl (Xermelo)
A tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor used alongside somatostatin analogs for carcinoid syndrome diarrhea not adequately controlled by SSA therapy alone.
Prefer Octreotide? We can find it.
Cyclosporine
moderateOctreotide may decrease cyclosporine blood levels; close monitoring and dose adjustment required
Insulin and oral diabetes medications
moderateOctreotide can raise or lower blood sugar unpredictably; antidiabetic doses may need adjustment
Beta-blockers
moderateAdditive risk of bradycardia (slow heart rate); dose adjustment may be needed
Bromocriptine
moderateOctreotide increases bromocriptine bioavailability
Calcium channel blockers
moderatePotential for additive heart rate reduction
Digoxin
moderateOctreotide may affect absorption
Oral contraceptives
moderateMay reduce effectiveness due to altered GI absorption
QT-prolonging medications
moderatePotential additive risk of cardiac rhythm changes
Octreotide is a critical medication for patients with acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and neuroendocrine tumors. While generic immediate-release injections are relatively affordable, the LAR depot formulations that most patients rely on for convenient once-monthly dosing remain expensive and can be challenging to find due to ongoing supply constraints.
If you're struggling to locate Octreotide — particularly the LAR formulation — in stock at your pharmacy, Medfinder can help you search for pharmacies with current availability near you. For financial assistance, ask your doctor about Novartis Patient Support copay cards or patient assistance programs through the PAN Foundation and HealthWell Foundation.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini