SEMAGLUTIDE AND THE RISK OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ON SAFETY AND CLINICAL USE

Abstract

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist utilized in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Its mechanism of action stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, delays gastric emptying, and induces central satiety. Despite its high therapeutic efficacy, debates surrounding its pancreatic safety, specifically the risk of developing acute pancreatitis, have challenged the scientific community. The objective of this study was to analyze current scientific evidence regarding the clinical safety of semaglutide correlated with the occurrence of acute pancreatitis, highlighting risk factors and the role of pharmacovigilance. An integrative literature review was conducted across PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases, covering the period from 2019 to 2026, resulting in the selection and analysis of 38 scientific articles. The data demonstrate that the incidence of acute pancreatitis in semaglutide users is classified as rare. However, the probability of occurrence rises substantially in patients with baseline predisposing factors, such as a history of pancreatic disease, cholelithiasis, alcohol abuse, severe hypertriglyceridemia, and severe obesity. It is concluded that semaglutide exhibits a favorable safety profile, conditional on careful prior screening, individualized clinical monitoring, and the consolidation of active pharmacovigilance to mitigate severe adverse outcomes.