Adult:
As continuous IV infusion: 25 mcg/hr for 48 hr (up to 5 days in patients at high risk of re-bleeding).
Intravenous
VARICEAL HAEMORRHAGE IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS
Child:
≥1 mth: 1 mcg/kg/hr (up to 50 mcg/hr); given as continuous IV infusion. Higher doses may be needed initially, reduce dose gradually over 24 hr until bleeding has stopped.
Intramuscular
ACROMEGALY
Adult:Following initial control with SC therapy: As a depot preparation, initially 20 mg every 4 wk. Adjust if required after 3 mth to 10-30 mg every 4 wk.
Subcutaneous
ACROMEGALY
Adult:Initially 50 mcg tid, increased as necessary to usual dose 100-200 mcg tid. Max: 500 mcg tid
Max Dosage: 40 mg every 4 wk.
Subcutaneous
PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING PANCREATIC SURGERY
Adult:
100 mcg tid of a rapid-acting preparation given for 7 consecutive days, starting at least 1 hr before operation.
Subcutaneous
HIV ASSOCIATED DIARRHOEA
Adult:Initial dose 100 mcg tid. If symptoms are not controlled after 1 wk, increase dose to 250 mcg tid, if still not effective after 1 wk stop therapy.
Parenteral
SECRETORY NEOPLASMS
Adult:
As SC inj: Initially, 50 mcg 1-2 times daily, increased gradually to up to 600 mcg daily in 2-4 divided doses according to response. Usually given SC but IV inj may be used where a rapid response is required and an IM depot inj of 10-30 mg every 4 wk can be used as maintenance therapy.
Precautions
Renal disease; risk of gall bladder disease; DM; hypothyroidism. Pregnancy, lactation, children, elderly. Monitor levels of vitamin B12 during long term therapy.
Adverse Drug Reactions
Local pain, stinging, tingling at site of inj; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, loose stools, steatorrhoea; biliary tract abnormalities. Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, hypothyroidism, cardiac conduction abnormalitles, pancreatitis.
Interactions
Dosage adjustment of concurrent therapy may be necessary with calcium channel blockers, oral hypoglycaemics, β-blockers, diuretics. May increase concentration of bromocriptine.