Publication:

Saxagliptin induced bilateral knee arthralgia: a rare case report

A 55 year old female patient of type 2 diabetes mellitus on saxagliptin (5 mg once a day), a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitors) as add on therapy to metformin (1000 mg twice a day). After two months of addition of saxagliptin, the patient had pain in both the knee joints. Saxagliptin was withdrawn and then the knee pain was gradually relieved. Other cause of joint pains like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, septic arthritis etc. were ruled out. We consider that this case is important in bringing this potential side effect to the attention of both pharmacologists and primary care physicians as DPP- IV inhibitors has been the most commonly used drug substitute to glimepiride as an add on therapy to metformin.