It looks like eluxadoline, recently FDA-approved for IBS-D, is associated with a significant rate of pancreatitis. The most recent report: AJ Gawron, K Bielefeldt. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 16: 378-84.
The authors extracted reports of eluxadoline adverse events using the Federal Adverse Event Reporting System.
- Of the 597 reports, 98 (16.4%) were due to pancreatitis; 53 cases required hospitalization. (The FDA separately reported 120 cases of pancreatitis –https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm546154.htm)
- The FDA report, which noted the risk primarily in those with prior cholecystectomy, “listed 1 fatality caused by pancreatitis..which manifested within the first day of therapy.”
My take: This study showing a significant risk of pancreatitis changes the risk-benefit ratio of eluxadoline. Since pancreatitis can result in hospitalization and even death, alternative therapies for IBS will be favored.
Related blog posts:
- FDA Warning on Eluxadoline (Viberzi)
- Eluxadoline for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea
- FDA Approves Rifaximin and Eluxadoline for IBS-D | gutsandgrowth
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