FDA-approved
Digestive & weight
Lanreotide
Lanreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analog FDA-approved since 2007 for acromegaly and certain neuroendocrine tumors. Learn how it works and its risks.
- Reviewed by
- William Maish, MD MBA MPH, Clinical Product Lead
- Published
- October 5, 2026
- Last updated
- October 5, 2026
Key takeaway
Lanreotide (sold as Somatuline Depot) is a long-acting somatostatin analog that suppresses growth hormone and gut hormones and slows the growth of certain neuroendocrine tumors. It is used for acromegaly and for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and in the CLARINET trial it significantly delayed tumor progression. It has been FDA-approved in the U.S. since 2007 and is given as a deep subcutaneous injection about once a month.
At a glance
| What it is | A long-acting somatostatin analog peptide |
| Approved for | Acromegaly, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and carcinoid syndrome |
| Key fact | In the CLARINET trial it significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus placebo in metastatic neuroendocrine tumors |
| Route | Deep subcutaneous injection, about every four weeks |
| Evidence strength | FDA approved |
What is lanreotide?
Lanreotide, sold under the brand Somatuline Depot (Somatuline Autogel outside the U.S.), is a synthetic cyclic octapeptide analog of somatostatin. Like octreotide it mimics the body's natural "off switch" for growth hormone and several gut hormones, but it is supplied as a long-acting gel in a prefilled syringe that maintains drug levels for weeks. It was developed under the code BIM-23014 and approved in the United States in 2007.
How does lanreotide work?
Lanreotide binds somatostatin receptors, primarily subtypes 2 and 5, on hormone-secreting and tumor cells. Activating those receptors suppresses growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 and reduces the release of gut hormones. Beyond controlling hormone excess, somatostatin-receptor activation has an antiproliferative effect on well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, slowing their growth.
In acromegaly, that suppression lowers growth hormone and IGF-1 and improves symptoms; in neuroendocrine tumors, it both controls hormone-related symptoms and delays progression. In the CLARINET trial, lanreotide significantly prolonged progression-free survival1 compared with placebo in people with metastatic enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:
| Group | Median progression-free survival |
| Lanreotide | Not reached |
| Placebo | 18 months |
The depot formulation is injected deeply under the skin about once a month.
Is it FDA-approved?
Yes. Lanreotide was approved2 by the FDA in 2007 for acromegaly, with the gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor indication added in 2014 and a carcinoid syndrome indication following. It is marketed as the Somatuline Depot prefilled syringe.
What is lanreotide prescribed for?
Lanreotide is prescribed for:
- Acromegaly
- Unresectable or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, to slow progression
- Carcinoid syndrome, to reduce the need for short-acting somatostatin analogs
What are the side effects?
According to the prescribing information2, common side effects include:
- Diarrhea and abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Gallstones
- Injection-site reactions
- Slowed heart rate
More serious considerations include:
- Gallbladder disease with long-term use
- Changes in blood glucose and thyroid function
- Cardiac conduction effects
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Sources: FDA prescribing information for Somatuline Depot; the CLARINET trial (Caplin et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2014, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa13161581), indexed on PubMed. This document is educational and does not constitute medical advice.