Do incretin-based therapies cause acute pancreatitis?

Abstract

In 2007 a question was raised about the causal relationship between the first of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, exenatide, and pancreatitis, as postmarketing reports of pancreatitis in patients treated with this agent had been received by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There had been six reports of hemorrhagic pancreatitis, with two of the cases resulting in death. An update of the package insert for Byetta was mandated. Sitagliptin entered the market about a year and a half later, and now there are similar reports of acute pancreatitis. As the number of patients treated with these agents increases, is it uncovering a risk not appreciated in the premarket phase or just what should be expected from the population treated with these agents? To date, 88 cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported to the FDA in patients taking sitagliptin (Januvia/Janumet). Of these, two cases have been hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. A revision of the package insert for sitagliptin has been made recently. An examination of available data should help shed light on whether the relation is likely causal or merely incidental.

• Authors: Leann Olansky
• Journal: Journal of diabetes science and technology (J Diabetes Sci Technol) Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pg. 228-9 (Jan 01 2010) ISSN: 1932-2968 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20167189 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: 2010 Diabetes Technology Society.

Chemical References

• Drug Combinations
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Incretins

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Drug Combinations
• Humans
• Hypoglycemic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Incretins (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pancreatitis (chemically induced, epidemiology, etiology)
• Risk Factors
• Young Adult