Evidence review: Open Peptide Project (verified against primary PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov & FDA records) · Last checked 2026-10-27. ← Back to Evidence Library

Secretin (ChiRhoStim): what the evidence says

Name: Secretin (ChiRhoStim)
Published: 2026-10-27

At a glance

What it is: a 27-amino-acid gut hormone that makes the pancreas release bicarbonate-rich fluid. FDA-approved forms are used as diagnostic tests. ^{R1, R2} UNVERIFIED the label indications (pancreatic function, gastrinoma, ERCP cannulation); we did not open the label text.

What the evidence says: after publicity in the late 1990s, many children with autism got secretin injections. A 60-child double-blind trial found no benefit, ^R3 and a review of 15 double-blind trials found none concluded it worked. ^R4

Biggest risks: no treatment-limiting side effects in the autism trial. ^R3

Rating


Human Human evidence	Strong for no autism benefit ^{R3, R4}
Animal Animal / lab evidence	Not reviewed
Regulatory	FDA-approved diagnostic ^{R1, R2}; SecreFlo discontinued ^R5 · 503A and 503B Category 3 (human secretin) ^{R6, R7} · not named by WADA ^R8
Established human dose	Yes, label diagnostic dose (see Study details)

Evidence verdict: Pancreatic function and gastrinoma testing: Strong (FDA-approved diagnostic) · Autism: Strong evidence of no benefit (15 double-blind RCTs)

This page reports what studies used. It is not dosing advice.

Legend: HUMAN data · ANIMAL / LAB data · UNKNOWN · UNVERIFIED: not yet confirmed against a primary source

About the evidence: the autism question is settled: many randomized trials were negative.

What is it?

Related pages: VIP, Oxytocin, Teduglutide.

Does it work?

Human Diagnostic use: FDA-approved. ^{R1, R2}
Human Autism: behavior scores improved 8.9 points with secretin vs 17.8 with placebo (P = 0.11). ^R3 15 double-blind trials, none positive. ^R4

Is it safe?

Human No treatment-limiting side effects in 60 children. ^R3

Gray-market vials: extra risks

A gray-market vial has no quality control and no guarantee of identity, strength or sterility. We test retail vials blind under the Open Peptide Standard; see /tests/. A passing test covers one batch on one date and does not mean the compound is safe.

Is it legal?

US: FDA-approved diagnostic. ^{R1, R2}
Compounding: "Secretin, human 99%" is in Category 3 (nominated without adequate support) on both the 503A and 503B lists. ^{R6, R7}
Sport: not named on WADA's 2026 Prohibited List. ^R8

Study details

These are amounts researchers used, not recommendations.

Study	People / model	Route	Amount used	Follow-up	Reported	Citation
Sandler 1999	60 children, autism/PDD	IV single dose	0.4 µg/kg	4 weeks	No benefit vs placebo	PMID 10588965

Full reference list (PubMed, CT.gov, FDA and WADA checked Oct 26, 2026)

^R1 Drugs@FDA, ChiRhoStim (human secretin), application NDA021256 (openFDA drugsfda record checked Oct 26, 2026). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=NDA021256
^R2 Drugs@FDA, porcine secretin (ChiRhoClin), application NDA021209 (openFDA drugsfda record checked Oct 26, 2026). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=NDA021209
^R3 Sandler AD, et al. N Engl J Med. 1999. PMID 10588965
^R4 Sturmey P. Res Dev Disabil. 2005. PMID 15590241
^R5 Drugs@FDA, SecreFlo (porcine secretin), listed discontinued, application NDA021136 (openFDA drugsfda record checked Oct 26, 2026). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=NDA021136
^R6 FDA, 503A bulk drug substances categories list (updated May 14, 2026), Category 3 (nominated without adequate support): "Secretin, human 99%". https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download
^R7 FDA, 503B bulk drug substances categories list (updated Mar 21, 2025), Category 3: "Secretin, human 99%". https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download
^R8 WADA. The 2026 Prohibited List, full list checked; compound not named. https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf

Disclaimer

This page is for education and harm reduction, not medical advice or a recommendation to use Secretin (ChiRhoStim). This is a prescription medicine. Use it only under the care of a licensed clinician; do not buy it from research-chemical or gray-market sellers. Report problems to FDA MedWatch (https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch).