Sandostatin desensitization--a strategy useful for patients with carcinoid tumors, intolerant to sandostatin.

Sandostatin immediate release (IR) is frequently used to treat patients with carcinoid tumors. However, some patients are unable to tolerate the immediate side effects of sandostatin IR leading to discontinuation of the drug. There is no literature available to guide the management of patients' sensitivity/intolerance to sandostatin IR. We report a 49-year-old male with carcinoid tumor who was intolerant to sandostatin IR initially but was able to tolerate the drug after we employed a desensitization strategy.