Secretin (ChiRhoStim): Uses, Mechanism, and Side Effects

Patients or families told they need a "secretin test" often want to know what the compound actually does and why a doctor would use it. Secretin is not a treatment but a diagnostic hormone given to help evaluate pancreatic and gastric conditions.

Key takeaways

• Secretin is approved under the brand names ChiRhoStim and ChiRhoStim 40 for diagnostic use only.
• It works by stimulating pancreatic ductal cells to release fluid rich in bicarbonate.
• Approved uses include evaluating pancreatic exocrine function, aiding gastrinoma diagnosis, and assisting ERCP procedures.
• The label carries no boxed warning.
• Reported side effects in the FAERS dataset are limited, with muscle spasms and product storage errors each noted once.

What Secretin Is

Secretin is a peptide hormone normally released from the duodenum when the intestine is exposed to gastric acid, fatty acids, and amino acids. In its natural role, it is secreted by enterochromaffin cells in the intestinal lining. As a manufactured product, secretin acts on secretin receptors found in the pancreas, stomach, liver, and other tissues to trigger the release of pancreatic fluid containing bicarbonate.

What Secretin Is Approved For

ChiRhoStim is approved to stimulate pancreatic secretions, including bicarbonate, to help diagnose pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. It is also approved to stimulate gastrin secretion, which aids in diagnosing gastrinoma, a tumor that overproduces gastrin. 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 across 74 registered clinical trials. One completed trial examined optical and biochemical biomarkers for detecting early pancreatic cancer. Another study, a proof-of-concept trial evaluating an imaging approach called LINFU, has also been completed, while a separate trial comparing diagnostic methods for pancreas cancer was marked unknown in status.

Reported Side Effects

Reports submitted to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System for secretin are sparse, reflecting its narrow use as a diagnostic agent rather than a chronic therapy. The available data lists muscle spasms and product storage errors, each reported once. These figures represent raw report counts, not confirmed incidence or proven causation.