A trial of glucagon in the treatment of painful biliary tract disease

Abstract

Seventy-one patients with a clinical diagnosis of painful biliary tract disease have been entered into a double-blind trial of glucagon. Twenty-eight were excluded as gallstones were not proved: of the remainder, 21 patients received glucagon and 22 placebo. Glucagon-treated patients were pain free 14·26 h(± 2·77 s.e.m.) after commencing treatment compared to 29·14 h(± 6·01 s.e.m.) for the placebo group (P < 0·05). Tenderness in the right hypochondrium showed a significant improvement when assessed at 12 h (P < 0·02) and 24 h (P < 0·1) for those given glucagon. A significant difference in blood glucose levels was seen between the two groups (P < 0·05). No serious side effects were observed. Glucagon relieves the pain and tenderness associated with painful biliary tract disease more effectively than conventional therapy.