FAERS Analysis Reveals Musculoskeletal Side Effects Across Incretin Drug Classes | Research

The takeaway

FAERS pharmacovigilance analysis identified musculoskeletal adverse events (arthralgia, myalgia, tendon disorders) across incretin-based drugs, with differential risk profiles between GLP-1 RAs, GIP/GLP-1, and GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonists.

Class-specific profiles
Different incretin drug classes show distinct patterns of joint, muscle, and tendon adverse events in pharmacovigilance data

What the researchers found

FAERS analysis revealed differential musculoskeletal AE profiles (arthralgia, myalgia, tendon disorders) across incretin drug classes, with varying signal strength for GLP-1 RAs, dual, and triple agonists.

Why it matters

Musculoskeletal complaints affect mobility and quality of life. Knowing which incretin drugs have different musculoskeletal profiles helps guide prescribing.

How the study worked

Pharmacovigilance analysis of FAERS database for musculoskeletal adverse events across incretin-based diabetes drugs, with proportional reporting and signal detection.

What this study cannot tell us

FAERS reporting biases. Cannot determine causation. Denominator data (total prescriptions) unavailable for true incidence. Newer drugs may have fewer reports due to less market exposure.

How to read the evidence

Large pharmacovigilance database analysis. Useful for signal detection but limited by FAERS reporting biases.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

As the incretin drug family expands from single to dual to triple agonists, understanding class-specific safety profiles enables personalized prescribing.

Questions still open

Which specific incretin drug has the best musculoskeletal safety profile?
Are musculoskeletal events dose-dependent?
Should patients with pre-existing joint or tendon problems avoid certain incretin drugs?

Common questions

Can GLP-1 drugs cause joint or muscle pain?

Some patients report joint pain, muscle aches, or tendon problems with incretin drugs. This analysis shows the risk varies between different drugs in the class, which can help your doctor choose the best option for you.

Which GLP-1 drug is easiest on joints?

The analysis showed different risk profiles across drug types. If you have joint or tendon issues, your doctor can use this information to select the incretin drug with the best musculoskeletal safety profile.

Read the original research

Musculoskeletal adverse events with incretin-based diabetes drugs: a FAERS pharmacovigilance study.

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Guo, Meixuan; Chen, Si; Dong, Huqiang; Cai, Mengyuan; Guo, Mixue; Cheng, Hongping. (2026). Musculoskeletal adverse events with incretin-based diabetes drugs: a FAERS pharmacovigilance study.. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-026-05113-2