How does it reduce the need for IV nutrition?

As a GLP-2 analog it makes the remaining bowel grow a larger absorptive surface, so more fluid and nutrients are absorbed and less needs to be given intravenously.

Why is a colonoscopy required before treatment?

Because teduglutide stimulates intestinal cell growth, it can accelerate polyp or tumor growth, so polyps are removed beforehand and the colon is monitored during treatment.

How is teduglutide given?

It is a subcutaneous injection given once daily, with the dose based on body weight and reduced in significant kidney impairment.

Can patients come off IV nutrition completely?

Some patients reduce their parenteral support substantially and a subset achieve enteral autonomy, though responses vary and support is tapered under specialist care.

EMA-approvedaka Gattex, Revestive

Teduglutide — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-06-30

TL;DR

Teduglutide (also known as Gattex) is a peptide catalogued under Gastrointestinal (GLP-2 analog). It is described as: GLP-2 receptor. Documented context: Short bowel syndrome. Neutral reference entry; EU status: EU-approved prescription medicine.

What is Teduglutide?

Teduglutide is a recombinant analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), sold as Gattex (US) and Revestive (EU). It is approved for adults and children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) who depend on parenteral (intravenous) nutrition or fluid support.

Its efficacy is established by the phase 3 STEPS trial (Jeppesen) and its extension studies.

How does Teduglutide work?

Teduglutide differs from native GLP-2 by a single amino-acid substitution that resists dipeptidyl peptidase-4 breakdown, giving it a much longer half-life.

Acting on GLP-2 receptors in the gut, it is intestinotrophic: it increases villus height and crypt depth, expanding the absorptive surface of the remaining bowel and improving fluid and nutrient absorption. [INFOGRAPHIC: Teduglutide GLP-2 intestinal growth]

What does the research say about Teduglutide?

In the STEPS trial, 63% of patients on teduglutide 0.05 mg/kg/day achieved at least a 20% reduction in weekly parenteral support versus 30% on placebo at week 24 (P=0.002). ^[2]
In the earlier phase 3 randomized trial, teduglutide 0.05 mg/kg/day significantly reduced parenteral-nutrition and intravenous-fluid volume requirements versus placebo in short bowel syndrome. ^[1]
The reduction in parenteral support was maintained through 52 weeks of continued teduglutide treatment, with some patients weaning further off support. ^[3]

Clinical research & studies

The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.

[1] Randomised placebo-controlled trial of teduglutide in reducing parenteral nutrition and/or intravenous fluid requirements in patients with short bowel syndrome — Jeppesen PB et al., Gut 2011. (RCT)
[2] Teduglutide reduces need for parenteral support among patients with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure — Jeppesen PB et al., Gastroenterology 2012. (RCT n=86 (STEPS))
[3] Safety and efficacy of teduglutide after 52 weeks of treatment in patients with short bowel intestinal failure — O'Keefe SJ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013. (extension study n=52)
[4] Teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including short bowel syndrome — Yazbeck R, Curr Opin Mol Ther 2010. (review)
[5] Teduglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide 2 analog, in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome — Jeppesen PB, Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2012. (review)

Dosing context

This is not medical advice or a usage recommendation. Dosing figures are reported research context only, cited from the published literature.

The approved product is 0.05 mg/kg injected subcutaneously once daily, with dose reduction in significant renal impairment.

A baseline colonoscopy is required before initiation and parenteral support is tapered under specialist supervision; this describes approved-product use rather than a personal recommendation.

Side effects & safety profile

Common adverse effects include abdominal pain and distension, nausea, headache, injection-site reactions, and stoma-related complications in patients with a stoma.

Because GLP-2 promotes intestinal growth, teduglutide can accelerate growth of neoplasia: a colonoscopy to remove polyps is recommended before starting and periodically during treatment (colorectal neoplasia monitoring), and it also carries warnings for intestinal obstruction, biliary and pancreatic disease, and fluid overload.

Teduglutide does not carry a formal FDA boxed warning, but these monitoring precautions are part of its labeling.

Stacking & combinations

Teduglutide is used alongside and to gradually reduce parenteral nutrition and intravenous fluids, not combined with other growth peptides for physique or performance purposes.

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Frequently asked questions

It treats short bowel syndrome in people who depend on parenteral (intravenous) nutrition or fluids because their remaining intestine cannot absorb enough on its own.

References

[1] Randomised placebo-controlled trial of teduglutide in reducing parenteral nutrition and/or intravenous fluid requirements in patients with short bowel syndrome — Jeppesen PB et al., Gut 2011. PMID: 21317170. View sourceStudy: RCTTeduglutide 0.05 mg/kg/day significantly reduced parenteral-support volume requirements versus placebo in short bowel syndrome.
[2] Teduglutide reduces need for parenteral support among patients with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure — Jeppesen PB et al., Gastroenterology 2012. PMID: 22982184. View sourceStudy: RCT n=86 (STEPS)63% on teduglutide vs 30% on placebo achieved a >=20% reduction in weekly parenteral support at week 24 (P=0.002).
[3] Safety and efficacy of teduglutide after 52 weeks of treatment in patients with short bowel intestinal failure — O'Keefe SJ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013. PMID: 23333663. View sourceStudy: extension study n=52The reduction in parenteral support was maintained over 52 weeks of teduglutide with an acceptable long-term safety profile.
[4] Teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including short bowel syndrome — Yazbeck R, Curr Opin Mol Ther 2010. PMID: 21154171. View sourceStudy: reviewDescribes teduglutide as a DPP-4-resistant, intestinotrophic GLP-2 analog that increases villus height and mucosal absorptive surface.
[5] Teduglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide 2 analog, in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome — Jeppesen PB, Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2012. PMID: 22570676. View sourceStudy: reviewSummarizes teduglutide's mechanism and clinical development for reducing parenteral-support dependence in short bowel syndrome.

This article is for educational and research purposes only. Peptides discussed here are not approved for human consumption by the FDA, EMA, or equivalent regulators outside of specific clinical contexts. Always consult a licensed medical professional before any therapeutic use.