Diabetes medications may help reduce the risk of pancreatitis in people with the disease, study suggests

BUFFALO, NY — GLP-1RA drugs, such as Ozempic and Victoza, are thought to increase the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with a previous history of pancreatitis. Now, new research from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo has found that the drugs may actually reduce the risk.

This year’s Endocrine Society annual meeting, ENDO 2024, will take place in Boston. UB researchers presented their work on Saturday.

“Our clinic often sees patients with a history of pancreatitis who could benefit from GLP-1RA treatments,” says Mahmoud Nassar, MD, PhD. “However, due to existing warnings, we have been cautious about using these drugs in this patient group.”

“GLP-1RA drugs work through a mechanism that not only controls diabetes and helps with weight loss, but also has anti-inflammatory properties, which likely helped reduce risk,” says Nassar. “We were not surprised to find that these drugs reduce the risk of pancreatitis.”

GLP-1RA stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. By mimicking the effects of GLP-1, the drugs help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.

“Our research offers good news for patients with a history of pancreatitis,” Nassar says. “They can now use GLP-1RA drugs to effectively manage type 2 diabetes and obesity without increased risk of pancreatitis, expanding their treatment options.”

You can read more about the study here: https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2024/06/UB-study-GLP-diabetes-pancreatitis.html