Reviewed & approved by Dr. Nova Reyes · Last checked 2026-10-25. ← Back to Evidence Library

title: "Teduglutide: What the evidence says" slug: teduglutide status: Draft (v1), pending review by Dr. Nova Reyes (Batch F #63) last_checked: 2026-10-25 evidence_verdict: "Short bowel syndrome on parenteral support (labeled): Moderate · "Gut repair" uses: No human data" card_verdict: "Moderate (short bowel syndrome on IV nutrition) · "Gut repair" uses: No human data" related: [dapiglutide, larazotide, bpc-157]

Draft (v1), pending review. Not public. · ← Library · DRAFT · not published · last checked 2026-10-25

Teduglutide: what the evidence says

At a glance

What it is: a 33-amino-acid analog of GLP-2, a gut hormone that grows the intestinal lining, sold as Gattex for short bowel syndrome in people who depend on IV nutrition (parenteral support). ^{R1, R2} Gray-market sellers market "GLP-2" for gut repair.

What the evidence says: in the 86-person STEPS trial, 63% on teduglutide vs 30% on placebo cut their IV nutrition volume by more than 20% at 24 weeks. ^R3 In an earlier 83-person trial, the lower of two amounts worked and the higher one did not reach significance. ^R4

Biggest risks: it can speed the growth of existing tumors or polyps, so the label requires colonoscopy before starting and stopping if a GI cancer develops; gallbladder, bile duct and pancreas problems; bowel obstruction; and fluid overload. ^R1

Rating


Human Human evidence	Moderate for short bowel syndrome with parenteral dependence (two RCTs, 83–86 people) ^{R3, R4}; No human data for "gut repair" or leaky-gut uses in people without short bowel syndrome
Animal Animal / lab evidence	Rat and mouse tumor findings drive the neoplastic-growth warning (label) ^R1
Regulatory	FDA-approved: Gattex NDA 203441 (Dec 21, 2012) ^R2 · WADA: not named on the 2026 List ^R5
Established human dose	For labeled use: on the FDA label (weight-based) ^R1. Study details lists what trials used

Evidence verdict: Short bowel syndrome on parenteral support (labeled): Moderate · "Gut repair" uses: No human data Card verdict: Moderate (short bowel syndrome on IV nutrition) · "Gut repair" uses: No human data Card note: Tumor-growth warning; never tested for general gut health, see page.

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: both trials were sponsored by the original developer (NPS Pharmaceuticals, later acquired by Shire/Takeda), with small samples typical of a rare disease.

What is it?

Teduglutide mimics GLP-2, which makes the intestinal lining grow and absorb more. In short bowel syndrome, where much of the intestine has been removed, that can reduce the need for IV feeding. ^{R1, R3} Related pages: Dapiglutide, Larazotide, BPC-157.

Does it work?

Human STEPS (phase 3): 86 adults: responders 27/43 (63%) vs 13/43 (30%); IV volume fell 4.4 vs 2.3 L per week. ^R3
Human Earlier phase 3: 83 adults: the lower amount beat placebo (16/35 graded responders); the higher amount did not (p=0.16). Three patients came fully off IV support. ^R4

Is it safe?

Human Acceleration of neoplastic growth: discontinue if intestinal malignancy develops; polyps were seen in trials and postmarketing; colonoscopy and upper endoscopy before starting. ^R1
Human Biliary and pancreatic disease: cholecystitis, cholangitis, gallstones and pancreatitis reported; labs before and every 6 months. ^R1
Human Trials: discontinuations for side effects similar to placebo (2 vs 3 in STEPS). ^R3

Gray-market "research use only" Teduglutide: extra risks

Not the approved product. "Research GLP-2" or "teduglutide" vials are not Gattex; identity, strength and sterility are unknown. Unknown Using a growth-promoting gut hormone without the label's cancer screening removes the main safeguard.

What we don't know

Unknown Any benefit in people with a normal-length intestine
Unknown Long-term cancer risk outside monitored patients
Unknown Quality of gray-market GLP-2 products

Is it legal?

US: FDA-approved as Gattex (NDA 203441) for adults and children 1 year and older with short bowel syndrome who depend on parenteral support. ^{R1, R2} EU, UK and others: UNVERIFIED. WADA: not named on the 2026 Prohibited List ^R5; whether a catch-all class applies: UNVERIFIED.

Study details

These are amounts researchers used, not recommendations. ### R3 Human RCT: STEPS (Jeppesen 2012) | Study | People / model | Route | Amount used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / limitations | Citation | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Jeppesen 2012 | 86 adults with SBS and intestinal failure | Subcutaneous | 0.05 mg/kg/day | 24 weeks | Responders 63% vs 30% | Small; rare disease | [PMID 22982184](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22982184/) · [NCT00798967](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00798967) | ### R4 Human RCT: earlier phase 3 (Jeppesen 2011) | Study | People / model | Route | Amount used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / limitations | Citation | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Jeppesen 2011 | 83 adults with SBS | Subcutaneous | 0.05 or 0.10 mg/kg/day | 24 weeks | Lower amount significant; higher amount not (p=0.16) | Mixed by dose | [PMID 21317170](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21317170/) |

Full reference list (PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA and DailyMed entries checked Oct 25, 2026)

^R1 DailyMed. GATTEX (teduglutide) label, Takeda, effective Sep 5, 2025. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=66b69c1e-b25c-44d3-b5ff-1c1de9a516fa
^R2 FDA. Drugs@FDA data (openFDA drugsfda), NDA 203441 (Gattex), original approval 2012-12-21, checked Oct 25, 2026. https://api.fda.gov/drug/drugsfda.json?search=openfda.generic_name:teduglutide
^R3 Jeppesen PB, et al. Teduglutide reduces need for parenteral support among patients with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. Gastroenterology. 2012. PMID 22982184
^R4 Jeppesen PB, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of teduglutide in reducing parenteral nutrition and/or intravenous fluid requirements in patients with short bowel syndrome. Gut. 2011. PMID 21317170
^R5 WADA. The 2026 Prohibited List (in force 1 January 2026). 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 Teduglutide. Talk to a clinician you trust before using any drug, and report problems to FDA MedWatch (https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch).

Approved for Adam Greene by Dr. Nova Reyes, 2026-10-25.