There is only one FDA-approved GLP-2 medication: Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Gattex (teduglutide). The federal agency first approved the injectable in 2012, and it is for patients ages 1 and older who have short bowel syndrome and are dependent on parenteral support.
Gattex works to enhance gastrointestinal fluid — also called wet weight — absorption to wean patients off parenteral nutrition or intravenous fluid support.
Since the GLP-2 medication increases absorption through the intestine, a potential side effect is fluid retention, which might lead to weight gain. In mice, the intraperitoneal administration of GLP-2 reduced food intake, according to a 2012 study.
GLP-1s medications, on the other hand, can cause weight loss because they mimic a gut hormone that suppresses appetite. For this reason, they are used to treat Type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, and cardiovascular conditions associated with obesity or being overweight. The GLP-1 drug class has gained recognition due to the popularity of therapies like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
An experimental GLP-2 medication, Zealand Pharma’s glepaglutide, is awaiting a potential FDA approval for short bowel syndrome. Research has also suggested GLP-2s can increase bone density, but drug development is in its early stages.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.