Evidence-graded answer
Does GLP-1 cause pancreatitis?
Acute pancreatitis is a rare known risk. Absolute incidence in trials is small (≤0.2% per year) and not significantly higher than placebo in the cardiovascular outcome trials. Personal history of pancreatitis is a relative contraindication.
The post-marketing pancreatitis signal in early GLP-1 (exenatide) reporting did not survive rigorous CVOT analysis (SUSTAIN-6, LEADER, REWIND).
Stop the drug and seek urgent care for persistent severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
If you have had pancreatitis in the past, weigh the benefits with your prescriber — many clinicians avoid GLP-1 in that population unless benefits clearly outweigh.
Source: LEADER trial (liraglutide CVOT), NEJM, 2016