FDA Warning: Disabling Joint Pain Seen in Diabetes Drugs

The US Food and Drug administration today issued a warning that the type 2 diabetes medicines sitagliptin (Januvia/Merck) linagliptin (Tradjenta/BI), and alogliptin (Nesina/Takeda) “may cause joint pain that can be severe and disabling.”

The agency ordering the warning posted on all labels of drugs in the class, known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

The drugs are used to lower blood suger levels in adults with type-2 diabetes.

They are available as single-ingredient products and in combination with other diabetes medicines including metformin.

The agency said patients should not stop taking them but should contact their physician if they have severe and persistent joint pain.

The FDA also called on physicians and patients to report such side effects to its safety program .

The full list of DPP-4 inhibitors is here .