Somatostatin vs Octreotide
The brake on the growth-hormone axis — and much else. A long-acting somatostatin analog used to suppress GH and other hormones. Side by side: type, evidence tier, receptor, molecular weight, and half-life — the same fields as each monograph, rearranged so the engineering difference is visible.
Somatostatin SST | Octreotide | |
|---|---|---|
| Also known as | — | Sandostatin |
| Type | Endogenous | Analog |
| Evidence | Established | Established |
| Family | Growth & repair | Growth & repair |
| Class | Cyclic peptide (14 and 28 aa forms) | Somatostatin analog (cyclic octapeptide) |
| Receptor | Somatostatin receptors SSTR1–SSTR5 | Somatostatin receptors (SSTR2 and SSTR5 preferential) |
| Molecular weight | ~1,637.9 Da | ~1,019.2 Da |
| Half-life | ||
| Based on | Native hormone | Somatostatin |
Half-life bars are on a logarithmic scale across the molecules shown. Reference values for the native or representative form — educational only, not medical or dosing advice.
Common questions
- What is the difference between Somatostatin and Octreotide?
- Somatostatin is an endogenous hormone; Octreotide is an engineered analog based on Somatostatin. Somatostatin signals at Somatostatin receptors SSTR1–SSTR5; Octreotide signals at Somatostatin receptors (SSTR2 and SSTR5 preferential).
- How do the half-lives of SST and Octreotide compare?
- The reported circulating half-life of Somatostatin is ~1–3 min (very short); Octreotide is ~1.5 h (subcutaneous; LAR depot ~monthly). These are reference values for the native or representative form — educational only, not dosing advice.
Prefer the other order? Octreotide vs Somatostatin. Or open the interactive comparison tool to add more molecules.