The Use of Octreotide to Manage Symptoms of Bronchorrhea: A Case Report

Abstract

Octreotide, a synthetic analogue of the hormone somatostatin, is primarily used in palliative medicine because of its antisecretory effect and has been shown to be effective in the management of bowel obstruction, nausea, and diarrhea. Octreotide also has been successfully used for the management of bronchorrhea in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We report the case of a 47-year-old female with a history of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma whose copious bronchial secretions were controlled with octreotide. Octreotide should be further evaluated as a first-line treatment for bronchorrhea.

Subcutaneous octreotide as a therapeutic option for refractory chronic cough: subjective response pattern and adverse effects from a retrospective single-centre case series

“…Additionally, the capacity of octreotide to reduce gastric stretch may help to calm the irritated vagal nerves. Our observations build on the previously reported improvement in respiratory symptoms in patients with bronchorrhoea [ 6 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Successful treatment with osimertinib for nonmucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma with massive bronchorrhea and respiratory failure: a case report and literature review

“…To our knowledge, osimertinib was used for the first time for bronchorrhea and ARF in a patient with nonmucinous BAC, and a reduction in bronchorrhea and improved respiratory symptoms were observed within 1 week. Several case reports have described the use of a macrolide and glucocorticoid (3), inhaled indomethacin (25), and octreotide (26) for treatment of bronchorrhea with BAC. However, there is no evidence regarding the impact on survival or respiratory failure for these treatments.…”

Octreotide as a novel agent for the management of bronchorrhea in mechanically ventilated patients: A case series and review of literature

“…Previous reports of octreotide use for the management of bronchorrhea were primarily in patients with lung cancer [ 19 , 20 ]. Hudson et al [ 19 ] described the successful treatment of bronchorrhea with octreotide in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma.…”

“…No side effects were reported from the treatment. Pahuja et al [ 20 ] described better control of bronchorrhea in a patient with bronchioalveolar cell carcinoma. The rate of sputum production was approximately 1 L/day even after treatment with bronchodilators, glycopyrrolate, guaifenesin, opioids, and steroids.…”