Teduglutide

approved

Also known as: Gattex, Revestive, GLP-2 analog

Teduglutide is a recombinant analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) that acts as a selective GLP-2 receptor agonist. Its primary mechanism involves binding to GLP-2 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which stimulates crypt cell proliferation and reduces enterocyte apoptosis, leading to increased intestinal mucosal growth, enhanced absorptive surface area, and improved nutrient and fluid absorption. Additionally, teduglutide slows gastric emptying and reduces intestinal motility, further supporting its therapeutic effects in conditions of intestinal failure. Key research findings from clinical trials demonstrate that teduglutide significantly reduces parenteral nutrition (PN) requirements in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). In pivotal Phase III studies (e.g., STEPS trial), approximately 63% of teduglutide-treated patients achieved a ≥20% reduction in weekly PN volume compared to placebo, with some achieving complete independence from PN. Long-term extension studies confirm sustained efficacy and safety over up to 2 years, with common adverse events including abdominal pain, nausea, and injection-site reactions. Mechanistic studies also suggest potential benefits in intestinal adaptation and barrier function. Clinically, teduglutide is approved (e.g., FDA, EMA) for adult and pediatric patients with SBS who are dependent on PN. It is administered subcutaneously once daily and requires monitoring for potential risks such as gastrointestinal obstruction, gallbladder disease, and pancreatic or biliary tract neoplasia. Its use is limited to specialized centers due to the need for careful patient selection and follow-up. Teduglutide represents a targeted therapy that addresses the underlying pathophysiology of SBS by promoting intestinal adaptation and reducing PN dependence. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Gut & GI
Molecular weight
3752.1 g/mol
Molecular formula
C164H252N44O55S
CAS number
197922-42-2
Administration
subcutaneous
Research status
approved
References
365
Tags
glp-2, approved, intestinal-growth

Research & studies

Outcomes and adverse effects of teduglutide treatment with periodic withdrawal in pediatric short bowel patients
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition · 2026 · PubMed

Among 19 children on teduglutide over 6 months, median reductions in daily parenteral support energy and fluid volume were 42% and 28 mL/kg/day, with weekly infusion-free nights increasing from 0.5 to 4.; Seventeen (89%) patients reached >20% energy reduction and six (32%) successfully weaned off parenteral support.; Adverse effects included intestinal bleeding in 4 patients (20%) and stomal prolapses in all patients with end-jejunostomies.; Periodic withdrawal (n = 37) led to adverse effects on 84% of occasions, including two unplanned hospitalizations, dehydration in 51%, and diarrhea in 76%.

Teduglutide
2025 · PubMed
Longitudinal single-cell analysis of glucagon-like peptide-2 treatment in patients with short bowel syndrome
JCI insight · 2025 · PubMed

Gut microbiome α-diversity increased after teduglutide treatment.; T helper 2 cells decreased and regulatory T cells increased, indicating a shift toward an immunoregulatory intestinal environment.; Nutrient-absorbing enterocyte-Top2 and middle clusters expanded, enhancing absorption capacity.; MHC class I/II-expressing enterocyte-Top1 cells declined, potentially modulating immune responses.

Teduglutide for treatment-refractory severe intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease - a multicenter survey
Bone marrow transplantation · 2025 · PubMed

Best response (CR or PR) was 64.7% (11/17) including 41.2% CR and 23.5% PR.; At median follow-up of 28 weeks, 10/17 patients were alive.; Most patients had increased albumin levels within 2 months, even among non-responders.; No specific teduglutide-related toxicity was reported.

European Consensus on Malabsorption-UEG & SIGE, LGA, SPG, SRGH, CGS, ESPCG, EAGEN, ESPEN, and ESPGHAN: Part 2: Screening, Special Populations, Nutritional Goals, Supportive Care, Primary Care Perspective
United European gastroenterology journal · 2025 · PubMed

Coeliac disease should always be investigated in unexplained malabsorption and high-risk individuals due to its high prevalence.; Teduglutide effectively reduces the need for parenteral nutrition in short bowel syndrome, improving quality of life.; Primary care physicians are crucial for early detection and should be part of multidisciplinary teams.; Nutritional support options include oral supplements, enteral nutrition, and parenteral nutrition.

European Consensus on Malabsorption-UEG & SIGE, LGA, SPG, SRGH, CGS, ESPCG, EAGEN, ESPEN, and ESPGHAN. Part 1: Definitions, Clinical Phenotypes, and Diagnostic Testing for Malabsorption
United European gastroenterology journal · 2025 · PubMed

Malabsorption can be selective or global, caused by congenital or acquired disorders in children and adults.; Early recognition is key, using endoscopy with small intestinal biopsies, non-invasive functional tests, and radiological imaging.; Celiac disease should always be investigated in unexplained malabsorption and high-risk individuals.; Nutritional support (oral, enteral, parenteral) is central; teduglutide reduces parenteral nutrition need in short bowel syndrome.

Updates in Intestinal Failure Management
Journal of clinical medicine · 2025 · PubMed

Nutritional rehabilitation is the cornerstone of IF management, with individualized enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy.; Teduglutide promotes mucosal growth and is used medically, but its oral absorption is poor and milk levels are likely very low.; Two breastfed infants had no reported adverse effects during maternal teduglutide use, but long-term data are lacking.; An interdisciplinary team approach is crucial for managing complex IF patients.

Real-world experience of Teduglutide use in adults with short bowel syndrome: A seven-year international multicenter survey
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2025 · PubMed

Teduglutide-treated patients had higher male prevalence, younger age, longer HPN duration, more jejunocolonic anastomosis, lower IVS volume, and higher weaning from IVS than controls.; Controls had higher percentages of patients deceased or lost to follow up.; Centers treating 10 or more patients with Teduglutide showed higher weaning rates and lower mortality rates.; Clinicians preferentially selected patients with better prognostic indicators for Teduglutide treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What is Teduglutide?

Teduglutide is a recombinant analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) that acts as a selective GLP-2 receptor agonist. Its primary mechanism involves binding to GLP-2 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which stimulates crypt cell proliferation and reduces enterocyte apoptosis, leading to increased intestinal muc

How does Teduglutide work?

GLP-2 receptor agonist that promotes intestinal mucosal growth and absorption; approved for short bowel syndrome.

What is the research status of Teduglutide?

Teduglutide is currently classified as approved, with 365 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the molecular weight of Teduglutide?

Teduglutide has a molecular weight of approximately 3752.1 g/mol (formula C164H252N44O55S).

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