Safety of albiglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes

This article examined the side effects of albiglutide (Tanzuem) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It found that albiglutide was more likely to cause diarrhea and injection-site reactions (e.g. redness, rash) than other drugs. 

Albiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is made in the intestines and released after a meal. GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin (a hormone that lowers blood glucose) and inhibits the release of glucagon (a hormone that increases blood glucose) from the pancreas. These hormonal changes reduce blood glucose. GLP-1 RAs are drugs that mimic the effects of GLP-1. Albiglutide is injected just under the skin, once a week. The safety of albiglutide is still under investigation. 

This article compared the results of 7 studies that examined the side effects of albiglutide in 4400 adults with T2D.  The patients receiving albiglutide had T2D not controlled by diet and exercise or other drugs.  In these studies patients receiving albiglutide were compared to patients receiving a placebo (drug with no active effect) or other anti-diabetes drugs. The studies lasted from 32 weeks to 3 years. Some patients treated with albiglutide received other anti-diabetes drugs at the same time.

Overall, the amount of people experiencing side effects in both groups was similar (84.8% for albiglutide versus 82.3% for others). Most of the side effects were not severe. The most common side effects in patients receiving albiglutide were gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea) and injection-site reactions. More people receiving albiglutide experienced diarrhea (13.7%) compared to other treatments (9.9%), but nausea and vomiting were similar between groups. Injection-site reactions occurred in 16% of the albiglutide group, but just 7% of the comparison group.

Severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood glucose) occurred at similar rates in both groups (0%-1.3% for albiglutide versus 0%-1.1% for comparison group). Most of these patients were also taking insulin or a sulfonylurea (drug that increases the release of insulin from the pancreas). Side effects related to the heart and kidneys were similar for all patients. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) related to treatment was found in 6 (0.3%) of patients taking albiglutide compared to 2 (0.1%) of other patients. 

The article concluded that albiglutide generally does not cause more side effects than other drugs. The exceptions are diarrhea and injection-site reactions, which are higher with albiglutide. 

The participants in these studies had an average BMI (measurement of weight that takes height into account) that indicated severe obesity. This could have affected the results. The differences in side effects due to factors like age, duration of diabetes, and ethnicity, were not considered. Furthermore, the patients in the different studies were receiving different drugs in addition to albiglutide. This could affect the ability to compare the results.

Several of the authors of this article had connections to companies that manufacture GLP-1 RAs, including albiglutide. 

Discuss the use and safety of albiglutide with your physician.