Researchers reviewed 23 studies about a new medicine called teduglutide that helps people whose intestines don’t work properly. This condition, called intestinal failure, usually requires patients to get nutrition through IV tubes. The study found that teduglutide helped more patients absorb food normally through their digestive system, reducing their need for IV nutrition by at least 20%. After two years of treatment, about 73% of patients needed less IV support, and some people could eventually eat normally without any IV help. The medicine also seemed to improve quality of life and how patients felt overall.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new medicine called teduglutide helps people with severe intestinal problems absorb food better and need less nutrition through IV tubes
  • Who participated: Adults with a serious condition called short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure who normally need IV nutrition to survive. The review combined data from 23 different research studies
  • Key finding: After 6 months of treatment, 64% of patients needed at least 20% less IV nutrition. After 2 years or longer, this improved to 73%. Some patients (31% after 2 years) could eventually eat enough food normally without needing IV nutrition at all
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one has severe intestinal problems requiring IV nutrition, this medicine may help your body absorb more food naturally. However, this is a specialized treatment that only works for specific intestinal conditions and requires close medical supervision

The Research Details

Researchers searched five major medical databases for all studies about teduglutide and similar medicines in adults with intestinal failure. They found 23 studies that measured real health improvements (not just blood test changes). They combined the results from these studies using statistical methods to see the overall effect of the medicine.

The researchers looked at how many patients improved by at least 20% in their ability to absorb nutrition through eating, how many could eventually stop IV nutrition completely, and how the medicine affected quality of life and bowel function. They used a method called meta-analysis to combine results from different studies and find patterns.

When studies didn’t have enough information to combine, the researchers described the results in words instead of numbers. This approach allowed them to get a complete picture of how well this medicine works across many different patient groups.

This research approach is important because it combines evidence from many smaller studies to show the real-world benefits of this medicine. Instead of relying on one study, which might have unusual results, combining 23 studies gives a much more reliable answer about whether teduglutide actually helps patients. This type of review helps doctors decide which treatments work best for their patients with intestinal failure.

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis, which is considered high-quality evidence in medical research. The researchers searched multiple databases to find all available studies, reducing the chance they missed important information. However, the quality depends on the individual studies included—some may have been small or had limitations. The fact that 23 studies were included suggests there is good evidence for this treatment, though more recent studies (this review was published in 2025) may continue to add new information.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that teduglutide helped patients reduce their dependence on IV nutrition (called parenteral support). At 6 months of treatment, 64% of patients achieved at least a 20% reduction in how much IV nutrition they needed. This improvement continued over time—after 2 or more years of treatment, 73% of patients had reduced their IV nutrition needs by at least 20%.

Another important result was that some patients could eventually stop needing IV nutrition altogether and eat enough food normally. This is called achieving enteral autonomy. At 6 months, only 13% of patients reached this goal, but after 2 years or longer, 31% of patients could eat normally without IV support. This shows the medicine’s benefits increase with longer use.

Beyond just nutrition numbers, early studies showed teduglutide also improved patients’ quality of life and their bowel function. Patients reported feeling better overall and having more normal bowel movements. The medicine was generally well-tolerated, with only 14% of patients stopping treatment due to side effects or other reasons.

The review also found early evidence for two newer similar medicines called glepaglutide and apraglutide, which appear to have similar benefits to teduglutide. These emerging treatments suggest that this class of medicine may offer multiple options for patients. The research showed that benefits continued to improve the longer patients stayed on treatment, suggesting that patience and long-term use are important for getting the best results.

This research updates and expands on previous reviews of GLP-2 medicines. The findings confirm what earlier research suggested—that these medicines help intestinal failure patients—but with more complete data and longer follow-up information. The improvement over time (from 64% to 73% response rates) is particularly important because it shows these medicines work better the longer you use them, which is different from some other treatments that lose effectiveness over time.

The review combined studies of different sizes and quality, which can affect the overall results. Some studies were small or had short follow-up periods. The review excluded studies that only measured blood test changes, so we don’t have complete information about all the medicine’s effects. Additionally, most studies focused on teduglutide, so we know less about the newer medicines. The review doesn’t tell us about long-term side effects beyond 2 years, and individual patient results may vary significantly from these average numbers.

The Bottom Line

For patients with short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure requiring IV nutrition: Teduglutide appears to be a reasonable treatment option to discuss with your doctor, with moderate-to-strong evidence of benefit. The medicine seems most effective when used for at least 2 years. For healthcare providers: Consider teduglutide as part of treatment planning for eligible intestinal failure patients. The evidence suggests benefits increase over time, so long-term commitment to treatment is important.

This research is most relevant for people with short bowel syndrome or other severe intestinal conditions requiring IV nutrition support. It’s also important for their doctors, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists. Family members and caregivers should understand that this is a specialized treatment for a serious condition, not a general digestive aid. People with mild digestive issues should not expect this medicine to help them.

Patients may see some benefit within 6 months of starting treatment, but the best results appear after 1-2 years of continuous therapy. Some patients achieve the ability to eat normally within this timeframe, while others may need longer. Results vary significantly between individuals, so patience and consistent treatment are important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly IV nutrition volume needed (in milliliters or grams of protein/calories) and compare to baseline. Record the percentage reduction monthly to visualize progress toward the 20% reduction goal. Also track daily oral food intake and tolerance to monitor movement toward eating normally.
  • Work with your medical team to gradually increase oral food intake as tolerated while the medicine works. Use the app to log which foods are tolerated well and which cause problems. Set a goal to reduce IV nutrition by 20% within 6 months, then work toward eating more food by mouth as your intestines improve.
  • Monthly check-ins comparing current IV nutrition needs to baseline. Track quality of life improvements through simple weekly surveys (energy level, bowel function comfort, ability to eat favorite foods). Share this data with your healthcare team at regular appointments to adjust treatment as needed. Long-term tracking should continue for at least 2 years to capture full benefits.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Teduglutide and other GLP-2 analogues are specialized medications for serious intestinal conditions and require careful medical supervision. If you or a loved one has intestinal failure or short bowel syndrome, discuss these findings with your gastroenterologist or intestinal failure specialist before making any treatment decisions. Individual results vary significantly, and this medicine is not appropriate for everyone. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.