FDA: DPP-4 Inhibitors Could Cause Severe Joint Pain

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, a class of drug used for glucose control in type 2 diabetes, can cause severe and disabling joint pain in certain patients, the FDA has warned.

The warning comes after a search of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System revealed 33 cases of severe arthralgia associated with the use of drugs including sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin between 2006 and 2013. Symptoms predominantly began after a month of taking one of the DPP-4 inhibitors, and in 10 patients required hospitalization.
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“Patients should not stop taking their DPP-4 inhibitor medicine, but should contact their health care professional right away if they experience severe and persistent joint pain.”

Health care professionals should consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause of severe joint pain and discontinue the drug if appropriate.,“ the FDA stated in their warning.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

FDA. DPP-4 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes: drug safety communication - may cause severe joint pain [press release]. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm460238.htm.