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Comparison Centre

Two compounds, the same questions, no cherry-picking

Marketing compares compounds on whichever measure flatters them. This compares them on the same fields every time — including the awkward ones like how much human safety data exists. Every score here rates the evidence, not the compound: a higher number means stronger or more mature research, not that something is safer or works better.

Sharing keeps the two compounds you picked.

How to read these scores

Every number here rates the evidence, not the compound. They are editorial 0-100 strength ratings, not percentages, and not a rating out of five stars.

  • Human efficacy evidence strength — Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
  • Preclinical evidence strength — Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
  • Human safety evidence strength — Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number. A score of 80 does not mean “80% safe”.
  • Evidence level (L0-L5) — the strongest type of study behind the compound, from anecdote (L0) to large replicated human trials (L5). It is a description of the study evidence, not a quality, safety or recommendation rating.
  • Confidence — how likely we think it is that this rating changes as new research lands. Low confidence means the picture is unsettled, not that the compound is bad.

None of these ratings is medical advice, a safety guarantee, or a recommendation to use anything. How we grade evidence.

Teduglutide

A GLP-2 analogue that helps people with short bowel syndrome reduce dependence on intravenous nutrition.

L5Repeated human trialsApproved for a specific indication · FDA (US)
Full profile

Linaclotide

A 14-amino-acid peptide swallowed as a capsule that works locally on the gut lining — approved oral proof that not every peptide is digested into uselessness.

L5Repeated human trialsApproved medicine (jurisdiction-specific) · FDA (US)
Full profile

How far human research has progressed

Teduglutide

Approved orphan medicine with randomised trial support

Linaclotide

Established oral gut peptide

Claim-specific benefit evidence

A human exposure study or trial registration does not establish that the claimed benefit occurs.

Teduglutide

Not separately assessed; see the full profile.

Linaclotide

Not separately assessed; see the full profile.

Human research context

Teduglutide

Approved orphan medicine with randomised trial support

Linaclotide

Established oral gut peptide

Human efficacy evidence strength

Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.

Teduglutide

Strength of the human efficacy evidence80 of 100 evidence strength

Linaclotide

Strength of the human efficacy evidence82 of 100 evidence strength

Preclinical (animal / lab) evidence strength

Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.

Teduglutide

Strength of the animal and lab evidence75 of 100 evidence strength

Linaclotide

Strength of the animal and lab evidence70 of 100 evidence strength

Human safety evidence strength

Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number.

Teduglutide

Strength of the human safety evidence75 of 100 evidence strength

Linaclotide

Strength of the human safety evidence78 of 100 evidence strength

Regulatory status (legal position, not proof it works)

Teduglutide

Named regulators: FDA (US)

FDA-approved (Gattex) for adults and paediatric patients with short bowel syndrome who are dependent on parenteral support. Approval is specific to that orphan indication.

Linaclotide

Named regulators: FDA (US)

FDA-approved (Linzess) for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation, with age-specific labelled populations that have evolved over time. Approved in other regions under other brand names.

Common claims

Teduglutide

  • · Reduces parenteral nutrition dependence in short bowel syndrome

Linaclotide

  • · Relieves constipation and abdominal symptoms in IBS-C and chronic idiopathic constipation

How settled our evidence rating is

Teduglutide

High confidence in ratingL5Repeated human trials

Linaclotide

High confidence in ratingL5Repeated human trials

Cancer-related questions raised by the biology

These are theoretical or monitored questions raised by how a compound works. They are not evidence that it causes cancer.

Teduglutide

Because GLP-2 promotes intestinal growth, the label warns of potential acceleration of neoplastic growth and mandates screening. That is a labelled, monitored risk in a defined patient group — not proof that it causes cancer in all users, and not a reason to generalise to healthy people.

Linaclotide

No established human cancer signal within approved use.

What this adds up to, in plain English

Teduglutide

Repeated large human trials support specific uses in the groups studied. That is strong evidence something works there — not proof it suits everyone or is free of risk.

Linaclotide

Repeated large human trials support specific uses in the groups studied. That is strong evidence something works there — not proof it suits everyone or is free of risk.

A comparison is not a recommendation

Neither column here is an endorsement, and the compound with the higher numbers is not the “better” or “safer” one — it is simply the one with more or better-quality research behind it. Two compounds can both be poorly evidenced, and better-evidenced says nothing about whether either is a sensible idea for a specific person. That is a conversation for a qualified clinician.