[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [GLP-2 analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/glp-2-analogues/) › Teduglutide

# Teduglutide

## GLP-2 analogues?

GLP-2 analogues

A GLP-2 analogue injected under the skin that helps the remaining bowel absorb more in short bowel syndrome, reducing intravenous nutrition.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[GLP-2 analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/glp-2-analogues/)

**Target**
Glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R)

**Used for**
Short bowel syndrome

**Key effects**
Abdominal pain and swelling · Injection-site reactions

**Monitor**
Colonoscopy before starting · Fluid balance

**ATC**
A16AX08

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**Glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R)**Teduglutide

ⓘ The figure shows natural human GLP-2 bound to its receptor; teduglutide is a modified, longer-lasting version of GLP-2.

**Target in 3D:** Glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R). PDB structure 7D68 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7D68) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

GLP-2 is a gut hormone released by L cells of the ileum and colon that makes the intestinal lining grow. Teduglutide is a longer-acting GLP-2 analogue. It activates GLP-2 receptors, enlarging the villi and crypts of the remaining bowel, so more fluid and nutrients are absorbed.

- Short bowel absorbs too little
- Teduglutide activates GLP-2 receptors
- The intestinal lining grows
- More fluid and nutrients are absorbed

## Indications

- Short bowel syndrome in people who depend on intravenous (parenteral) nutrition or fluids [Short bowel syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/short-bowel-syndrome/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Injection-site reactions
- Nausea and headache
- Cold- or flu-like symptoms
- Swelling or changes of a stoma

### Serious (rare, important)

- Colon polyps and possible acceleration of bowel cancer
- Intestinal or stoma blockage
- Gallbladder, bile duct and pancreatic disease
- Fluid overload (leg swelling, rapid weight gain, breathlessness)

## Contraindications

- Active cancer, especially of the gut (not recommended)

## Key interactions

**Other medicines taken by mouth**
As absorption improves, their doses may need review

## What is monitored

- Colonoscopy before starting, after about one year and then at regular intervals
- Fluid balance, weight and parenteral nutrition needs
- Signs of bowel obstruction, gallbladder or pancreatic disease

## Administration and safety

- Powder is mixed with its diluent; the solution must be clear before use
- Injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, rotating sites
- Never given into a vein or muscle

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Information on use in pregnancy is limited; patients are asked to tell their doctor if they become pregnant.

## Nursing care

- Teach and check the injection technique and site rotation
- Record weight, intake, output and stoma output
- Report abdominal pain, vomiting, stoma swelling or rapid weight gain
- Review parenteral nutrition needs with the team as absorption improves

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Injected under the skin, rotating sites

## Memory aid

TEDUGLUTIDE = GLP-TWO for a gut that is TOO short: it grows the lining, so polyps are watched with colonoscopy.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which hormone does teduglutide mimic?

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), the gut hormone that makes the intestinal lining grow.

## What is the goal of teduglutide in short bowel syndrome?

To improve absorption by the remaining bowel and reduce the need for intravenous nutrition or fluids.

## Why is colonoscopy needed during teduglutide treatment?

Because it can cause colon polyps and may speed the growth of bowel cancer.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/teduglutide/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Somatropin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/somatropin/)
- [Loperamide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/loperamide/)
- [Octreotide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/octreotide/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Short bowel syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/short-bowel-syndrome/)

[← Back to the class: GLP-2 analogues](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/glp-2-analogues/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Teduglutide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613019.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=A16AX08) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [Cryo-EM structure of the human glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor-Gs protein complex](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7D68) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/teduglutide/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/teduglutide/