Year 2026 / Volume 118 / Number 1
Letter
GLP-1 receptor agonists and acute pancreatitis: fact or overstated risk?

64-65

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2025.11499/2025

Juan Enrique Domínguez Muñoz, José Lariño Noia, Yessica Domínguez Novoa, Julio Iglesias-García,

Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and weight management. These medications mimic the effects of the intestinal hormone GLP-1, thereby enhancing insulin secretion, reducing glucagon release, inducing satiety, and slowing gastric emptying. Their therapeutic scope now extends to cardiometabolic conditions and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Despite their clinical utility, GLP-1 RAs are frequently associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects—including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea—reported in up to 80% of patients, often in a dose-dependent manner. Concerns have also emerged regarding a potential association with acute pancreatitis.
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References
1. Karagiannis T, Malandris K, Avgerinos I, et al. Subcutaneously administered tirzepatide vs semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Diabetologia. 2024;67(7):1206‐1222.
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Domínguez Muñoz J, Lariño Noia J, Domínguez Novoa Y, Iglesias-García J. GLP-1 receptor agonists and acute pancreatitis: fact or overstated risk?. 11499/2025


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Publication history

Received: 16/07/2025

Accepted: 01/08/2025

Online First: 29/09/2025

Published: 14/01/2026

Article Online First time: 75 days

Article editing time: 182 days


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