Octreotide is a long acting somatostatin analogue mainly used as the first line agent in the management of oesophageal variceal bleeding as well as used for its anti-diarrheal action in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumours.It hasan additional benefit of managing HIV induced chronic diarrhoea that cannot be managed with conventionaltreatment. Severe recurrent diarrhoea is one of the major manifestation of AIDS.We reviewed 10 patients with chronic diarrhoea secondary to HIV infection who were admitted through Emergency department.They were not responding to standard therapy as the therapy mainly focused on the various causes of HIV induced diarrhoea.During the study , 4 patients were found to have Cryptosporidium enteritis in their stool culture and 6 patients had no identifiable pathogens.Treatment with conventional agents did not reduce the symptoms of the patients.After this, all patients were given Octreotide which showed a significant reduction in frequency of diarrhoea and fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.This shows the significant role played by Octreotide in management of chronic diarrhoea associated with HIV infection. Further studies are warranted to confirm complete outcomes of Octreotide in this area.
