Pharmacologic treatment of growth hormone excess

Drug	Mechanism of action	Route of administration	Side effects
Bromocriptine	Dopamine agonist	Oral	Headaches, nausea, dizziness
Octreotide	Analog of somatostatin: Inhibits growth hormone secretion more than native somatostatin Greater potency and longer plasma half-life	Long-acting somatostatin analog Multiple daily subcutaneous injections	Mild gastrointestinal complaints Increased risk of gallstones
Lanreotide	Sustained-release, long-acting somatostatin analog	Intramuscular injection every 2 to 4 weeks	Mild gastrointestinal complaints Increased risk of gallstones
Pegvisomant	Growth hormone receptor antagonist	Daily subcutaneous injection	Injection site reactions Elevated liver enzymes? (1 patient)

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