Secretin (Intravenous)
Generic name: secretin [ se-KREE-tin ]
Brand names: Chirhostim, Secreflo
Drug class: In vivo diagnostic biologicals
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 9, 2024.
Uses for secretin
Secretin injection is used for the stimulation of pancreas secretions to help diagnose or find problems in the pancreas and to help identify the ampulla of Vater and accessory papilla during endoscopy. It is also used to help in the diagnosis of gastrinoma (tumor of the bowel or pancreas).
This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of a doctor.
Before using secretin
In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, other things may affect test results. For this test, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of secretin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of secretin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this diagnostic test, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Receiving this diagnostic test with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aclidinium
- Amantadine
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Atropine
- Belladonna
- Benztropine
- Biperiden
- Brompheniramine
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cimetidine
- Clemastine
- Clidinium
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclopentolate
- Cyproheptadine
- Darifenacin
- Desipramine
- Dexlansoprazole
- Dicyclomine
- Dimenhydrinate
- Diphenhydramine
- Doxepin
- Esomeprazole
- Famotidine
- Fesoterodine
- Flavoxate
- Fluphenazine
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Homatropine
- Hydroxyzine
- Hyoscyamine
- Imipramine
- Ipratropium
- Lansoprazole
- Loxapine
- Meclizine
- Mepenzolate
- Nizatidine
- Nortriptyline
- Olanzapine
- Omeprazole
- Orphenadrine
- Oxitropium Bromide
- Oxybutynin
- Pantoprazole
- Paroxetine
- Perphenazine
- Pimozide
- Pipenzolate Bromide
- Pirenzepine
- Prochlorperazine
- Procyclidine
- Promethazine
- Propantheline
- Propiverine
- Protriptyline
- Rabeprazole
- Ranitidine
- Scopolamine
- Solifenacin
- Stramonium
- Terodiline
- Thioridazine
- Thiothixene
- Tizanidine
- Tolterodine
- Trifluoperazine
- Trihexyphenidyl
- Trimipramine
- Tropicamide
- Trospium
- Umeclidinium
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this diagnostic test. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Inflammatory bowel disease or
- Vagotomy (bowel surgery)—May decrease the response to pancreas stimulation testing causing a false diagnosis.
- Liver disease, alcoholic or other—May mask existing disease of the pancreas.
Proper use of secretin
A doctor will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.
You should not eat or drink for at least 12 to 15 hours before receiving this medicine.
Do not take an H2 blocker at least 2 days before receiving this medicine.
Related/similar drugs
glucagon, Lexiscan, mannitol, arginine, Ceretec
Precautions while using secretin
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Do not use anticholinergic medicines together with secretin injection. This may decrease the response to pancreas stimulation testing, which may cause a false diagnosis of having a pancreas disease.
Do not also use stomach medicines, such as a proton pump inhibitor and an H2 blocker together with secretin injection. This may cause an increase in the response to pancreas stimulation testing, which may lead to a false diagnosis of having gastrinoma (tumor in the bowel or pancreas).
Side Effects of secretin
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Nausea
Less common
- Feeling of warmth
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- stomach upset
- vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Chirhostim
- Secreflo
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
More about secretin
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: in vivo diagnostic biologicals
Patient resources
Other brands
ChiRhoStim, Human Secretin, SecreFlo
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.