Teduglutide: A Review in Short Bowel Syndrome

Subcutaneous teduglutide (Revestive((R))), a glucagon-like peptide-2 analogue that increases intestinal absorption, is approved in the EU for the treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS) in patients aged >= 1 year who are stable following a period of postsurgical intestinal adaptation. In a phase III trial in adults with SBS intestinal failure (IF) dependent on parenteral support (PS), a significantly greater proportion of teduglutide 0.05 mg/kg/day than placebo recipients achieved a >= 20% reduction in weekly PS volume from baseline to week 20 and maintained it to week 24. The proportion of patients who had a reduction in one or more days on PS was also significant with teduglutide compared with placebo. Improved intestinal absorption and reduced PS requirements were generally maintained in the longer term. Results from a phase III trial in paediatric patients with SBS-IF dependent on PS were consistent with those in adults. Adverse events were mostly of mild to moderate severity and generally consistent with the underlying condition or known mechanism of the drug (e.g. central line-related issues, gastrointestinal events). Teduglutide is therefore a useful treatment option in children (aged >= 1 year), adolescents and adults with SBS.