Source: FDA label
| Molecular formula | C130H219N43O42 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 3056.4 g/mol |
| Registered trials | 74 |
| PubChem CID | 16129665 |
| Brand names | ChiRhoStim, ChiRhoStim 40 |
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action 12.1 Mechanism of Action The primary action of ChiRhoStim ® is to stimulate pancreatic ductal cells to secrete pancreas fluid in large volumes that contain bicarbonate. Secretin is a hormone that is normally released from the duodenum upon exposure of the proximal intestinal lumen to gastric acid, fatty acids and amino acids. Secretin is released from enterochromaffin cells in the intestinal mucosa. Secretin receptors have been identified in the pancreas, stomach, liver, colo
Key takeaways
- Secretin (brand name ChiRhoStim) is a diagnostic hormone, not a treatment, used to test pancreatic and gastric function.
- It works by stimulating pancreatic ductal cells to release bicarbonate-rich fluid, mimicking the body's natural digestive signal.
- The FDA-approved label covers three diagnostic uses: pancreatic exocrine testing, gastrinoma workup, and ERCP guidance.
- More than 70 registered trials have studied secretin, including work in chronic pancreatitis and autism.
- Reported adverse events in the FDA's surveillance database are minimal for this product.
What secretin is
Secretin is a naturally occurring hormone that the body releases from the duodenum when stomach acid, fatty acids, or amino acids enter the small intestine. As a synthetic version of that hormone, the drug product (marketed as ChiRhoStim) works by binding secretin receptors in the pancreas to trigger ductal cells to secrete large volumes of bicarbonate-rich fluid. This action forms the basis for its use as a diagnostic tool rather than a therapy taken on an ongoing basis.
What secretin is approved for
ChiRhoStim and ChiRhoStim 40 are approved to stimulate pancreatic secretions, including bicarbonate, to help diagnose pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. The label also covers use in stimulating gastrin secretion to aid in diagnosing gastrinoma, a rare tumor that overproduces stomach acid. A third approved use is to stimulate pancreatic secretions during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), helping clinicians locate the ampulla of Vater and accessory papilla. The label does not carry a boxed warning.
What the evidence shows
Secretin has been studied in more than 70 registered clinical trials. A completed Phase 1/2 trial examined secretin infusion for pain related to chronic pancreatitis, while a completed Phase 3 trial evaluated synthetic human secretin in children with autism. A separate study is currently recruiting participants to evaluate chronic pancreatitis through epidemiologic and translational methods.
Reported side effects
FDA adverse event reports for secretin are very limited, with only isolated mentions of muscle spasms and a product storage error, each recorded once. These figures reflect raw report counts submitted to a passive surveillance system, not confirmed incidence or proven causation, and the small number of reports here limits any pattern interpretation.
FAQ
What is secretin used for?
Secretin, sold as ChiRhoStim, is a diagnostic hormone rather than a treatment. It is approved to help diagnose pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, aid in identifying gastrinoma, and assist in locating anatomical structures during ERCP procedures.
How does secretin work in the body?
Secretin mimics a hormone the body naturally releases from the duodenum after eating. It binds receptors in the pancreas to stimulate ductal cells to release bicarbonate-rich fluid, which clinicians can then measure or observe for diagnostic purposes.
Is secretin approved by the FDA?
Yes, secretin is FDA-approved under the brand names ChiRhoStim and ChiRhoStim 40. Its approved uses are limited to specific diagnostic procedures rather than ongoing treatment.
Does secretin have a boxed warning?
No, the FDA label for secretin does not include a boxed warning.
What side effects have been reported with secretin?
Reported adverse events for secretin are very limited in FDA surveillance data, with only isolated mentions of muscle spasms and a product storage error. These are raw report counts, not confirmed rates or proof that secretin caused the event.
This page is an editorial information resource. It does not sell, prescribe, or recommend any medication.
Content is editorial information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before any treatment decision.
Sources: FDA drug label (ChiRhoStim) ClinicalTrials.gov FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) PubChem
Updated 2026-08-03