At a glance
| Product | Kinevac |
|---|---|
| Hormone modeled | Cholecystokinin |
| Route | Intravenous diagnostic administration |
| Primary response | Gallbladder contraction |
| Interpretive issue | Protocol affects measured response |
Overview
Kinevac reproduces selected actions of cholecystokinin, the hormone released after food enters the intestine. Its U.S. label includes stimulating gallbladder contraction, pancreatic secretion when used with secretin, and accelerating movement of a barium meal in selected examinations. The resulting response is measured under a diagnostic protocol. Symptoms, imaging findings and test technique determine interpretation. A low or high measured response is not a complete diagnosis on its own, and the same drug can produce different discomfort or gallbladder measurements when the administration protocol changes.
How it works
The active octapeptide corresponds to the biologically active end of cholecystokinin. It stimulates gallbladder smooth-muscle contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion, and affects gastrointestinal motility. Those normal digestive responses become a controlled challenge during testing. Contracting a gallbladder that contains stones can also cause stone movement, which is why the diagnostic purpose does not eliminate the possibility of biliary complications.
Approved diagnostic purposes
The label covers gallbladder contraction, pancreatic secretion in conjunction with secretin, and selected barium-meal transit applications in adults. These are procedural uses, not an approval for treating unexplained abdominal pain with repeated peptide exposure.
Supporting sources [1]
Why administration protocol matters
A multicenter investigation of gallbladder ejection-fraction testing compared sincalide infusion approaches and established reference values for a standardized method. The study illustrates that a numeric test result is meaningful only in relation to how the test was performed.
Supporting sources [2]
Adverse effects and exclusions
Abdominal cramping, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms can occur. Serious allergic reactions are possible, including reactions related to sulfites in the preparation. Intestinal obstruction and hypersensitivity to sincalide or relevant components are contraindications.
Supporting sources [1]
Gallstones and pregnancy
Gallbladder contraction can dislodge stones and contribute to obstruction. The label also addresses possible pregnancy-related effects because stimulation can affect smooth muscle. These risks belong in the decision to perform the test, not only in interpreting the result.
Supporting sources [1]
What a test can establish
A functional measurement can support a diagnosis when combined with symptoms and structural imaging. It does not by itself demonstrate that surgery, supplements or another particular intervention will resolve a patient’s symptoms.
Reading this profile
Jurisdiction: United States — FDA-approved prescription medicine; indication and formulation restrictions apply.. Molecular class: Synthetic cholecystokinin octapeptide.
This profile was written with AI-assisted research and checked against the linked sources. It has not been represented as a clinician’s review. Evidence summaries describe the cited studies and products; they do not establish that a separately purchased preparation is equivalent.
Sources & references
Follow the original material. Product labels define specific formulations and uses; trial registration describes a study and does not by itself establish benefit.
- DailyMed: Kinevac prescribing information ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27
- Sincalide-stimulated cholescintigraphy: a multicenter investigation to determine optimal infusion methodology and gallbladder ejection fraction normal values. ↗Original research · Checked 2026-10-27