Which medication is beneficial for acromegaly?

Which medication is beneficial for acromegaly?

• A. Octreotide
• B. Carbamazepine
• C. Chlorpropamide
• D. Cyclophosphamide

Answer: (A)

Reducing excess growth hormone secretion is the key to treating acromegaly. Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, binds to receptors on the pituitary gland and markedly inhibits growth hormone release, which lowers IGF-1 levels and improves the abnormal tissue growth and related symptoms. This targeted action directly addresses the hormone excess that drives acromegaly, making octreotide the most appropriate choice among the given options. The other drugs don’t address the underlying GH overproduction: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant, chlorpropamide is a diabetes medication, and cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy agent. They lack a mechanism that reduces GH secretion or IGF-1 levels in acromegaly.

Reducing excess growth hormone secretion is the key to treating acromegaly. Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, binds to receptors on the pituitary gland and markedly inhibits growth hormone release, which lowers IGF-1 levels and improves the abnormal tissue growth and related symptoms. This targeted action directly addresses the hormone excess that drives acromegaly, making octreotide the most appropriate choice among the given options.

The other drugs don’t address the underlying GH overproduction: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant, chlorpropamide is a diabetes medication, and cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy agent. They lack a mechanism that reduces GH secretion or IGF-1 levels in acromegaly.