The safety of albiglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Expert Opin Drug Saf · 2017

Last updated 2026-05-28

Albiglutide is a weekly injection for type 2 diabetes that causes fewer stomach-related side effects than other similar drugs. However, it does not lower blood sugar control or help with weight loss as effectively as some competitors like liraglutide. Studies suggest it is safe even for people with kidney problems, but there have been concerns about higher rates of pancreatitis and injection site reactions, which led to about 2% of participants stopping treatment. A large ongoing study is looking at whether albiglutide could be useful for people at higher risk of heart problems.

AI summary of the abstract below.

Journal	Expert Opin Drug Saf, 2017
Citations	4
Relative citation ratio	0.15
NIH percentile	10
Molecules	—
Conditions studied	Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Albiglutide is a marketed long acting GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) administered by weekly injection. It has significantly less gastrointestinal side effects than other GLP-1 RAs in current use but does not improve HbA1c or promote weight loss to the same extent as competitor agents such as liraglutide. Area Covered: The safety of albiglutide is discussed. The review encompassed a search of PubMed and a thorough analysis of the European Union and US Food and Drug Administration approval documents. Expert Opinion: Unlike competitor agents, the gastrointestinal side effects of albiglutide are not much greater than placebo. It has been studied and appears safe at all stages of renal failure. There exists concern about an imbalance of pancreatitis cases in the approval program as well as injection site reactions which led to discontinuance of therapy in up to 2% of participants. A large long term study now underway will determine if albiglutide, with its relatively favorable GI tolerance, has a place in the treatment of patients with increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 28678550 ↗