The FDA is investigating new findings that suggest incretin mimetic drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, such as exenatide and liraglutide, may increase the risk of pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) and pancreatic duct metaplasia (a pre-cancerous condition). The findings are based on examination of pancreatic tissue from deceased patients. The FDA is asking researchers for more details and tissue samples to further study any potential pancreatic risks. The FDA has not reached conclusions and will update the public when its review is complete.

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FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA investigating reports of possible increased risk of pancreatitis and pre­cancerous findings of the pancreas from
incretin mimetic drugs for type 2 diabetes
en Español1
[3­14­2013] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating unpublished new findings by a group of academic researchers that suggest an increased risk of
pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, and pre­cancerous cellular changes called pancreatic duct metaplasia in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a class of
drugs called incretin mimetics. These findings were based on examination of a small number of pancreatic tissue specimens taken from patients after they died from
unspecified causes. FDA has asked the researchers to provide the methodology used to collect and study these specimens and to provide the tissue samples so the Agency can
further investigate potential pancreatic toxicity associated with the incretin mimetics.
Drugs in the incretin mimetic class include exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza), sitagliptin (Januvia, Janumet, Janumet XR, Juvisync), saxagliptin (Onglyza,
Kombiglyze XR), alogliptin (Nesina, Kazano, Oseni), and linagliptin (Tradjenta, Jentadueto). These drugs work by mimicking the incretin hormones that the body usually
produces naturally to stimulate the release of insulin in response to a meal. They are used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
FDA has not reached any new conclusions about safety risks with incretin mimetic drugs. This early communication is intended only to inform the public and health care
professionals that the Agency intends to obtain and evaluate this new information. FDA will communicate its final conclusions and recommendations when its review is
complete or when the Agency has additional information to report.
FDA previously warned the public about postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and serious nonfatal cases, associated with the use of the incretin mimetic
drugs exenatide2 and sitagliptin3. A recently published study that examined insurance records also found the use of exenatide or sitagliptin could double the risk of developing
acute pancreatitis.1 The Warnings and Precautions section of the drug labels and the patient Medication Guides for incretin mimetics contain warnings about the risk of acute
pancreatitis. FDA has not previously communicated about the potential risk of pre­cancerous findings of the pancreas with incretin mimetics. Further, FDA has not concluded
these drugs may cause or contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer.
At this time, patients should continue to take their medicine as directed until they talk to their health care professional, and health care professionals should
continue to follow the prescribing recommendations in the drug labels.
FDA is continuing to evaluate all available data to further understand this potential safety issue. In addition, FDA will participate in the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Workshop on Pancreatitis­Diabetes­Pancreatic Cancer in June 20134 to gather and share additional
information.
FDA urges both patients and health care professionals to report adverse events involving incretin mimetics to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact
FDA” box at the bottom of this page.
Reference
1. Singh S, Chang HY, Richards TM, Weiner JP, Clark JM, Segal JB. Glucagonlike peptide 1­based therapies and risk of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis in type 2 diabetes
mellitus: a population­based matched case­control study. JAMA Intern Med 2013 Feb 25:1­6. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.2720. [Epub ahead of print].
Related Information
Information for Healthcare Professionals: Exenatide (marketed as Byetta) ­ 8/2008 Update5
Information for Healthcare Professionals ­ Acute pancreatitis and sitagliptin (marketed as Januvia and Janumet)6
FDA Drug Safety Podcast: FDA investigating reports of possible increased risk of pancreatitis and pre­cancerous findings of the pancreas from incretin mimetic drugs
for type 2 diabetes7
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