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Peer-reviewedCC BYEuropean Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Dysesthesia associated with GLP-1 agonist therapies: data-mining analysis and literature review

  • Marie‐Laure Laroche1,2
  • Hélène Geniaux3
  • Manon Jardou3
  1. 1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Limoges, 2 avenue Dr Marcland, Limoges, 87000 LIMOGES Cedex, France. [email protected]
  2. 2Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacovigilance, Limoges' University Hospital, Limoges, France. [email protected]
  3. 3Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacovigilance, Limoges' University Hospital, Limoges, France
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Abstract

PURPOSE: An increasing number of anecdotal reports on social media platforms and medical blogs describe dysesthesia, particularly burning skin sensations, in association with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists. We performed a pharmacovigilance data-mining analysis to characterise cases of dysesthesia related to GLP-1R. METHODS: We conducted a disproportionality analysis using VigiBase data on GLP-1R (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification: ATC code A10BJ) and tirzepatide, focusing on the HLT (High Level Term) "Paraesthesia and dysesthesia", with the Information Component (IC). Additionally, we reviewed all narratives of dysesthesia cases in the French Pharmacovigilance database to extract clinical and pharmacological characteristics. A literature review complemented this analysis. RESULTS: Exenatide was significantly associated with hypoesthesia or oral paraesthesia, semaglutide and tirzepatide with hyperaesthesia, and semaglutide with dysesthesia and burning sensation. Dysesthesia appears to be dose-dependent, occurring more frequently at higher doses and with more potent GLP-1R, whether used for weight management or type 2 diabetes. Discontinuation was often performed, followed by spontaneous favourable outcomes, and cases of rechallenge were observed. Skin burning sensations represent a distinctive form of dysesthesia. CONCLUSION: Pharmacovigilance quantitative and qualitative data strengthens evidence for dysesthesias associated with GLP-1R agonists already observed in clinical trials of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{laroche2026dysesthesia,
  title = {{Dysesthesia associated with GLP-1 agonist therapies: data-mining analysis and literature review}},
  author = {Marie‐Laure Laroche and Hélène Geniaux and Manon Jardou},
  journal = {European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1007/s00228-026-04079-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-026-04079-7},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Dysesthesia associated with GLP-1 agonist therapies: data-mining analysis and literature review
AU  - Marie‐Laure Laroche
AU  - Hélène Geniaux
AU  - Manon Jardou
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/22
JO  - European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
DO  - 10.1007/s00228-026-04079-7
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-026-04079-7
AB  - PURPOSE: An increasing number of anecdotal reports on social media platforms and medical blogs describe dysesthesia, particularly burning skin sensations, in association with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists. We performed a pharmacovigilance data-mining analysis to characterise cases of dysesthesia related to GLP-1R. METHODS: We conducted a disproportionality analysis using VigiBase data on GLP-1R (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification: ATC code A10BJ) and tirzepatide, focusing on the HLT (High Level Term) "Paraesthesia and dysesthesia", with the Information Component (IC). Additionally, we reviewed all narratives of dysesthesia cases in the French Pharmacovigilance database to extract clinical and pharmacological characteristics. A literature review complemented this analysis. RESULTS: Exenatide was significantly associated with hypoesthesia or oral paraesthesia, semaglutide and tirzepatide with hyperaesthesia, and semaglutide with dysesthesia and burning sensation. Dysesthesia appears to be dose-dependent, occurring more frequently at higher doses and with more potent GLP-1R, whether used for weight management or type 2 diabetes. Discontinuation was often performed, followed by spontaneous favourable outcomes, and cases of rechallenge were observed. Skin burning sensations represent a distinctive form of dysesthesia. CONCLUSION: Pharmacovigilance quantitative and qualitative data strengthens evidence for dysesthesias associated with GLP-1R agonists already observed in clinical trials of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide.
SN  - 0031-6970
SN  - 1432-1041
ER  -