From the Research
Somatostatin and semaglutide can interact when used together, potentially reducing the effectiveness of semaglutide, and it is recommended to separate their administration times as much as possible to minimize direct interaction. Somatostatin and its analogs (like octreotide) inhibit the release of multiple hormones including insulin and glucagon, while semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates insulin secretion in response to elevated blood glucose 1. When administered concurrently, somatostatin may counteract semaglutide's insulin-stimulating effects, potentially diminishing its glucose-lowering capability.
Key Considerations
- The efficacy and safety of semaglutide have been investigated in an extensive clinical development program including more than 9,000 patients with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating significant and clinically relevant reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, glucose excursions, body weight, and blood pressure 2.
- Oral semaglutide administration can help decrease glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight in people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, with a low risk of hypoglycemia 3, 4.
- Semaglutide improves postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism, and delays first-hour gastric emptying in subjects with obesity, which may contribute to its glucose-lowering effects 5.
Administration and Monitoring
If both medications are necessary for your treatment, consult your healthcare provider about optimal timing strategies. For example, if using octreotide (a somatostatin analog) and semaglutide, you might take semaglutide in the morning and octreotide later in the day to minimize direct interaction. Blood glucose monitoring should be increased when using these medications together to ensure adequate glycemic control is maintained. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust dosages of either medication based on your response. The levels of circulating semaglutide determine reductions in HbA1c and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes, and increased body weight is the most important variable associated with reduced semaglutide exposure 1.