The FDA has issued a warning that Type 2 diabetes medications sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin may cause joint pain that can be severe and disabling. The association has added a new warning and precaution about this risk to the labels of all medicines in this drug class, called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4s). These DPP-4 inhibitors are used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The FDA recommends that patients do not stop taking their DPP-4 medicine and healthcare professionals are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Reporting Program at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.

Citation: FDA website. DPP-4 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes: drug safety communication – may cause severe joint pain. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm460238.htm. Updated August 28, 2015. Accessed August 31, 2015.