Secretin
Also known as: ChiRhoStim, human secretin
Secretin binds the secretin receptor on pancreatic duct cells, raising cAMP and opening CFTR channels to drive secretion of bicarbonate-rich pancreatic fluid that is measured during diagnostic testing.
This page is a structured profile. Narrative evidence, dosing context and FAQs live on the research guide — not duplicated here as a second full article.
- Drug class
- Gastrointestinal peptide hormone (diagnostic agent); secretin-receptor agonist
- Primary targets
- Secretin receptor (SCTR), Pancreatic duct cells, CFTR channel, Gastrin secretion (G cells)
- Dose reference
- FDA label reference doses (diagnostic, not recommendations): 0.2 mcg/kg IV over 1 minute for pancreatic exocrine function testing or ERCP; 0.4 mcg/kg IV over 1 minute for gastrinoma testing.
- Half-life
- About 45 minutes per the ChiRhoStim label (synthetic human secretin); native secretin plasma half-life measured at roughly 4 minutes by radioimmunoassay.
- Developer / origin
- ChiRhoClin, Inc. (Burtonsville, MD)
- Reference year
- 2004
- Evidence score
- 4/5 - Approved diagnostic agent; therapeutic uses unsupported
Approved uses
- Stimulation of pancreatic secretions (including bicarbonate) to aid diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine dysfunction
- Stimulation of gastrin secretion to aid diagnosis of gastrinoma
- Stimulation of pancreatic secretions to facilitate identification of the ampulla of Vater and accessory papilla during ERCP
Approved diagnostic agent; therapeutic uses unsupported
Secretin (ChiRhoStim, human secretin) is FDA-approved as an intravenous diagnostic peptide for pancreatic exocrine function testing, gastrinoma testing, and ERCP duct identification, with a well-defined secretin-receptor/CFTR mechanism. Its mechanism and diagnostic performance are well established, but attempts to use it therapeutically (notably for autism) failed in randomized trials and a Cochrane review.
Investigational compound with human randomized or phase 2/3 evidence.
Evidence basis
- FDA-approved label (NDA 021256) and DailyMed prescribing information define indications, reference doses, and pharmacokinetics
- Pancreapedia and pancreatic physiology literature describe the secretin receptor and bicarbonate-secretion mechanism
- Radioimmunoassay study (Kolts & McGuigan) and label PK data establish half-life values
- NEJM 1999 RCT (Sandler et al.) and Cochrane review of 16 RCTs (>900 children) found no benefit for autism
Key references
- DailyMedChiRhoStim (human secretin) prescribing information
- US FDAChiRhoStim approved label, NDA 021256
- PancreapediaSecretin receptor
- PubMedRadioimmunoassay measurement of secretin half-life in man
- New England Journal of MedicineLack of Benefit of a Single Dose of Synthetic Human Secretin in Autism
- PMC / CochraneIntravenous secretin for autism spectrum disorders (Cochrane review)
How to read this entry
Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.
Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.
Secretin guides
Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.
Peptide calculators
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