Medications
Medications for acromegaly can lower growth hormone levels, and some can also keep the tumor from growing. Your doctor may recommend a single medication or a combination.
Somatostatin Analogs
Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) slow down GH release and can sometimes shrink the pituitary tumor. SSAs are taken as injections or pills. They include:
- octreotide (Mycapssa, Sandostatin)
- lanreotide (Somatuline Depot)
- pasireotide (Signifor LAR)
- paltusotine (Palsonify)
Side effects of SSAs can include gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gallstones, blood sugar abnormalities, and hair loss. Symptoms are typically mild and may improve over time.
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine agonists both block tumor growth and slow down GH production. These medications are taken by mouth and work best for people who have a smaller increase in growth hormone levels, because they aren’t as effective as SSAs. Dopamine agonists used for acromegaly include:
- cabergoline (Dostinex)
- bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Side effects of dopamine agonists include nausea, tiredness, dizziness, headache, mood changes, and problems sleeping.
Growth Hormone-Receptor Antagonists
Growth hormone-receptor antagonists stop GH from telling your body to make more IGF-1. The only such drug approved for acromegaly is pegvisomant (Somavert), which is taken as a daily injection.
Liver problems are this medication’s main side effect. While taking it, your doctor may recommend getting regular blood tests to check liver function. You’ll also need imaging tests to monitor any residual pituitary tumor. Pegvisomant lessens the effects of GH but doesn’t shrink the tumor, and in some cases it might even cause it to grow.
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