Safety and Tolerability of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Utilizing Data from the Exenatide Clinical Trial Development Program.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes including A1C reduction and weight loss with minimal risk of hypoglycemia. This article provides an evidence-based update of safety and tolerability considerations for the clinical use of GLP-1RAs as a class, with a specific detailed review of data from the exenatide clinical trial development program, which has the longest history and availability of safety and tolerability data as the first-approved GLP-1RA. Specific areas covered include comparative risk of hypoglycemia, as well as pancreatic, thyroid, and cardiovascular safety data; clinical guidance regarding current safety and tolerability data is also reviewed.