Stilamin Dosage/Direction for Use

Stilamin is given intravenously, by slow bolus injection (3 to 5 minutes) of 250 μg or by continuous infusion at a rate of 250 μg/hour (equivalent of approximately 3,5 μg/kg body weight/hour).
The lyophilised powder should be reconstituted with the physiological sodium chloride solution immediately prior to use.
For continuous infusion Stilamin contents should be used to prepare a 12 hours infusion. The solution may be either saline or 5% dextrose and should be adjusted to guarantee an outflow of 250 μg somatostatin/hour. The use of a perfusion syringe is recommended.
Treatment of severe acute bleeding from the upper gastro-intestinal tract, including from oesophageal varices: It is recommended to start by a slow intravenous injection of 250 μg of Stilamin as loading dose, then immediately followed by an intravenous infusion at a rate of 250 μg/h. In case of interruption of more than 3 to 5 minutes between two infusions, an additional slow i.v. injection of 250 μg is recommended to ensure a continuous treatment.
Once the haemorrhage has stopped (usually in less than 12 to 24 hours), treatment should be continued for 48-72 hours in order to avoid rebleeding.
Treatment up to 120 hours has been routinely performed in this indication.
Adjuvant treatment in pancreatic, biliary and intestinal fistulae: A continuous infusion of Stilamin at a rate of 250 μg/h is recommended until closure of the fistula (2-20 days). This infusion should be performed in addition to total parenteral nutrition. Once the fistula has been closed, treatment should be continued for 1 to 3 days and stopped progressively in order to avoid rebound effect.
Prophylactic treatment of postoperative complications following pancreatic surgery: Stilamin is administered at the beginning of the surgical intervention at a rate of 250 μg/h and treatment is continued for 5 days.
Adjuvant treatment in diabetic ketoacidosis: In patients with ketoacidosis, infusion of 100-500 μg/h of somatostatin associated with insulin therapy (bolus of 10 I.U. + infusion of 1-4.8 I.U./h) was capable of restoring euglycemia within 4 hours and resolving acidosis within 3 hours.