TRIAL RESULTS · SIDE EFFECTS
Exenatide side effects
ANSWER
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, the most common side effects of Exenatide were headache 1.9% (placebo 1.3%), Non-cardiac chest pain 1.1% (placebo 1.0%), osteoarthritis 0.9% (placebo 1.0%). Read from ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Trial register
Trials with posted results
65
with an arm on Exenatide, of 383 registered
Against placebo
24
placebo-controlled trials
People in those trials
9,989
on Exenatide · 9,478 on placebo
Read
2026-10-03
ClinicalTrials.gov
VS PLACEBO
Most common side effects, Exenatide beside placebo
Share of people with each side effect in 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results: 9,989 people on Exenatide (all doses), 9,478 on placebo, same trials. Listed only when reported for at least half of the people on Exenatide. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
ALL TRIALS
The 100 most reported of 1448 side effects reported
Every trial with posted results and an arm on Exenatide (n ≥ 20), all phases, by people affected. Placebo is shown where placebo-controlled trials reported the same event. Comparator arms are not counted.
| Side effect | Organ system | Exenatide | Placebo | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 20.6% (1,701 of 8,249) | 9.1% | 43 |
| Diarrhoea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 10.3% (737 of 7,124) | 6.0% | 28 |
| Vomiting | Gastrointestinal disorders | 10.0% (736 of 7,371) | 4.6% | 38 |
| Nasopharyngitis | Infections and infestations | 11.3% (688 of 6,103) | 6.3% | 27 |
| Headache | Nervous system disorders | 4.3% (640 of 14,769) | 1.3% | 41 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | Infections and infestations | 13.1% (443 of 3,392) | 6.6% | 16 |
| Constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.7% (339 of 12,687) | 0.3% | 23 |
| Dyspepsia | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.3% (282 of 12,445) | 0.3% | 24 |
| Urinary tract infection | Infections and infestations | 6.8% (226 of 3,317) | 5.4% | 14 |
| Injection site nodule | General disorders | 8.2% (226 of 2,773) | 3.8% | 10 |
| Back pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 2.1% (221 of 10,766) | 0.6% | 18 |
| Sinusitis | Infections and infestations | 2.1% (205 of 9,602) | 0.2% | 12 |
| Dizziness | Nervous system disorders | 1.8% (203 of 10,980) | 0.4% | 20 |
| Arthralgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.9% (202 of 10,733) | 0.3% | 17 |
| Injection site pruritus | General disorders | 8.0% (177 of 2,202) | 2.0% | 8 |
| Influenza | Infections and infestations | 6.1% (172 of 2,806) | 3.2% | 13 |
| Decreased appetite | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 5.3% (168 of 3,160) | 3.1% | 13 |
| Bronchitis | Infections and infestations | 1.6% (163 of 10,411) | 0.1% | 13 |
| Fatigue | General disorders | 1.5% (147 of 9,552) | 0.1% | 12 |
| Hypertension | Vascular disorders | 5.2% (138 of 2,643) | 1.9% | 9 |
| Osteoarthritis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.3% (135 of 10,231) | 1.0% | 8 |
| Hypoglycemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 27.0% (132 of 488) | 16.7% | 7 |
| Pain in extremity | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.4% (131 of 9,645) | 0.3% | 11 |
| Diarrhea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 12.8% (120 of 936) | 8.9% | 11 |
| nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 50.9% (116 of 228) | 25.5% | 4 |
| Cough | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 1.2% (109 of 9,282) | 0.3% | 13 |
| Non-cardiac chest pain | General disorders | 1.0% (96 of 9,813) | 1.0% | 8 |
| Gastrooesophageal reflux disease | Gastrointestinal disorders | 1.0% (95 of 9,379) | 0.1% | 7 |
| Injection site induration | General disorders | 10.4% (93 of 893) | - | 2 |
| Gastroenteritis viral | Infections and infestations | 9.5% (86 of 907) | 2.4% | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.0% (83 of 8,278) | 0.1% | 4 |
| Abdominal pain upper | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.9% (81 of 9,335) | 0.1% | 11 |
| Abdominal pain | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.8% (77 of 9,451) | 0.1% | 11 |
| Oedema peripheral | General disorders | 0.8% (73 of 9,189) | 0.3% | 6 |
| Lipase increased | Investigations | 4.2% (72 of 1,730) | 3.0% | 6 |
| Oropharyngeal pain | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 3.7% (71 of 1,912) | 5.3% | 9 |
| Nephrolithiasis | Renal and urinary disorders | 0.7% (68 of 10,200) | 0.2% | 10 |
| Fall | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.7% (67 of 9,731) | 0.2% | 7 |
| Injection site erythema | General disorders | 5.0% (67 of 1,346) | 2.1% | 5 |
| Muscle spasms | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.7% (63 of 8,825) | 0.0% | 6 |
| Injection site bruising | General disorders | 7.0% (63 of 902) | 5.1% | 2 |
| Abdominal discomfort | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.9% (62 of 1,265) | 5.4% | 6 |
| Hypoglycaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 3.3% (61 of 1,860) | 0.3% | 8 |
| Depression | Psychiatric disorders | 0.7% (61 of 8,890) | 0.2% | 5 |
| decreased appetite | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 31.7% (57 of 180) | 23.6% | 2 |
| Cataract | Eye disorders | 0.6% (56 of 8,789) | 0.0% | 5 |
| Injection Site Nodule | General disorders | 10.1% (56 of 556) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Contusion | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.7% (54 of 8,173) | 0.1% | 2 |
| Insomnia | Psychiatric disorders | 5.5% (52 of 940) | 2.0% | 4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.6% (49 of 7,968) | 0.7% | 4 |
| Gastroenteritis | Infections and infestations | 1.8% (48 of 2,640) | 0.3% | 9 |
| Injection site reaction | General disorders | 18.0% (48 of 267) | 11.1% | 7 |
| Anaemia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 0.5% (47 of 9,525) | 0.4% | 6 |
| Arthritis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.6% (47 of 8,173) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Anxiety | Psychiatric disorders | 0.5% (46 of 9,306) | 0.0% | 8 |
| Myalgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 4.8% (46 of 960) | 1.1% | 4 |
| Large intestine polyp | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.5% (46 of 8,404) | 0.1% | 3 |
| Rash | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 0.5% (45 of 8,575) | 0.0% | 5 |
| Pancreatitis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (44 of 9,914) | 0.3% | 9 |
| Dyslipidaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 6.5% (44 of 678) | - | 1 |
| Seasonal allergy | Immune system disorders | 5.1% (42 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Tooth infection | Infections and infestations | 5.1% (42 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 5.1% (42 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Benign prostatic hyperplasia | Reproductive system and breast disorders | 0.4% (40 of 8,933) | 0.1% | 4 |
| Herpes zoster | Infections and infestations | 0.4% (39 of 8,754) | 0.0% | 4 |
| hunger decrease | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 97.5% (39 of 40) | 10.3% | 1 |
| Toothache | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.1% (38 of 917) | 0.0% | 3 |
| headache | Nervous system disorders | 11.8% (38 of 322) | 23.6% | 3 |
| Tooth abscess | Infections and infestations | 4.0% (37 of 934) | - | 3 |
| Ligament sprain | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 4.5% (37 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Conjunctivitis | Infections and infestations | 4.0% (36 of 903) | 1.2% | 3 |
| Bursitis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.4% (36 of 8,284) | 0.0% | 3 |
| Sinus congestion | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 3.8% (36 of 937) | 3.8% | 3 |
| NAUSEA | Gastrointestinal disorders | 45.0% (36 of 80) | 1.2% | 1 |
| diarrhea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 9.7% (35 of 362) | 16.4% | 4 |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 6.6% (34 of 513) | 7.3% | 2 |
| Laceration | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0.4% (32 of 8,245) | 0.0% | 4 |
| Gastrointestinal haemorrhage | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.3% (31 of 8,886) | 0.5% | 4 |
| Tendonitis | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.3% (29 of 8,578) | 0.0% | 3 |
| Ear infection | Infections and infestations | 3.2% (28 of 881) | - | 2 |
| Blood glucose decreased | Investigations | 19.4% (28 of 144) | 11.4% | 1 |
| Epistaxis | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.3% (27 of 8,173) | 0.1% | 2 |
| Basal cell carcinoma | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.3% (27 of 8,173) | 0.3% | 2 |
| Hypercholesterolaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 3.3% (27 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Prostate cancer | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.3% (26 of 10,061) | 0.4% | 8 |
| Onychomycosis | Infections and infestations | 3.1% (26 of 829) | - | 1 |
| Flatulence | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.8% (24 of 870) | 1.8% | 6 |
| Intervertebral disc protrusion | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 0.2% (23 of 9,246) | 0.2% | 6 |
| Anorexia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 5.6% (23 of 411) | 1.2% | 3 |
| VOMITING | Gastrointestinal disorders | 28.7% (23 of 80) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Pancreatic carcinoma | Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 0.2% (21 of 9,719) | 0.2% | 7 |
| Back Pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 4.6% (21 of 453) | 1.6% | 2 |
| Dyspnoea | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.2% (20 of 9,388) | 0.2% | 6 |
| vomiting | Gastrointestinal disorders | 11.1% (20 of 180) | 1.8% | 2 |
| reflux | Gastrointestinal disorders | 15.7% (20 of 127) | 16.4% | 1 |
| Gastrointestinal events, myalgia, fatigue | Gastrointestinal disorders | 69.0% (20 of 29) | 75.0% | 1 |
| upper respiratory tract infection | Infections and infestations | 3.7% (19 of 510) | - | 3 |
| Coronary artery disease | Cardiac disorders | 0.4% (18 of 4,581) | 0.4% | 12 |
| Induration | General disorders | 8.4% (18 of 215) | - | 1 |
| dizziness | Nervous system disorders | 12.7% (18 of 142) | - | 1 |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov posted results, read 2026-10-03. A trial lists events above its own reporting threshold, so a rare event may be missing from some trials. Not medical advice.
FDA LABEL
What the FDA label says
Exenatide ANDA206697 · label of 2026-05-27 Regulator
The most common adverse reactions leading to withdrawal for exenatide-treated patients were nausea (3% of patients) and vomiting (1%).
Serious reactions the label warns about: Acute Pancreatitis, Never Share an Exenatide Pen Between Patients, Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin, Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion, Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions, Immunogenicity, Hypersensitivity, Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia.
Byetta NDA021773 · label of 2025-09-02 Regulator
The most common adverse reactions leading to withdrawal for BYETTA-treated patients were nausea (3% of patients) and vomiting (1%).
QUESTIONS
Does exenatide cause headache?
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 1.9% of people on exenatide reported headache, against 1.3% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does exenatide cause Non-cardiac chest pain?
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 1.1% of people on exenatide reported Non-cardiac chest pain, against 1.0% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does exenatide cause osteoarthritis?
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 0.9% of people on exenatide reported osteoarthritis, against 1.0% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does exenatide cause dizziness?
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 0.8% of people on exenatide reported dizziness, against 0.4% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does exenatide cause constipation?
In 24 placebo-controlled trials with posted results, 0.8% of people on exenatide reported constipation, against 0.3% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
REGISTERED STUDIES
383 registered clinical trials of Exenatide
The 10 most recently updated are listed.
| NCT05663515 | A Pan-European Post-Authorisation Safety Study: Risk of Pancreatic Cancer Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients Who Initiated Exenatide as Compared With Those Who Initiated Other Non-Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Based Glucose Lowering Drugs Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-24 |
|---|---|
| NCT06725693 | Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor PET/CT in GLP-1R Related Disease Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-08 |
| NCT05220917 | Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Four Second Line Pharmacological Strategies in Type 2 Diabetes Study Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-13 |
| NCT07702461 | Determination of Resistance Training Status for Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-24 |
| NCT07497399 | Targeting Agonists of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor for Multiple Sclerosis Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-17 |
| NCT05356104 | GLP-1 Analogue in Preventing Progression of Small Vessel Disease (GAPP-SVD) Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-06-05 |
| NCT02860923 | Efficacy and Safety of Exenatide in the Treatment of Hypothalamic Obesity After Craniopharyngioma Therapy Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-05-22 |
| NCT02042664 | Effect of GLP-1 Receptor (GLP-1R) Agonists on Cardiac Function and on Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) Volume and on Myocardial TG Content in Obese Diabetics Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-05-07 |
| NCT04232969 | Exenatide Once Weekly Over 2 Years as a Potential Disease Modifying Treatment for Parkinson's Disease Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-05-06 |
| NCT05482789 | Exenatide Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Gestational Diabetes Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-04-20 |
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