Published: 5 March 2026
Publications
GLP-1 receptor agonists and altered skin sensations: A touchy subject
Published: 5 March 2026
Prescriber Update 47(1): 16–17
March 2026
The New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Database has received several reports
of altered skin sensations, particularly allodynia, in association with
semaglutide.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause altered skin sensations
The term dysaesthesia describes abnormal and unpleasant skin sensations, such as burning, tingling, numbness or cold sensation. Allodynia is a type of dysaesthesia, where the person experiences a painful sensation in response to a stimulus that does not normally cause pain, for example, light touch from clothes.1,2
In semaglutide clinical trials, altered skin sensations such as dysaesthesia, paraesthesia, hyperaesthesia, burning sensation, allodynia and sensitive skin were reported in 2.1% of patients treated with Wegovy (semaglutide) and 1.2% of patients treated with placebo. Most patients recovered while on continued treatment.3
Dysaesthesia is also associated with Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist.4
Consider GLP-1 receptor agonists as a possible cause in patients presenting with altered skin sensations.
New Zealand case reports
As of 31 January 2026, there were 9 cases of altered skin sensations reported to the New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Database in association with semaglutide. The reported reactions were allodynia (6 reports), burning skin sensation, hypersensitive skin and skin pain (1 report each).
References
- International Association for the Study of Pain. 2011. IASP terminology URL: www.iasp-pain.org/resources/terminology/ (accessed 14 January 2026).
- Eileen McManus, Elaine Luther, Amanda Oakley, et al. 2020. Cutaneous dysaesthesia February 2020. URL: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cutaneous-dysaesthesia (accessed 20 January 2026).
- Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 2025. Wegovy New Zealand Data Sheet 21 August 2025. URL: www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/w/wegovyinjection.pdf (accessed 16 January 2026).
- Eli Lilly and Company (NZ) Limited. 2025. Mounjaro New Zealand data sheet 22 December 2025. URL: www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/m/MounjaroInj.pdf (accessed 20 January 2026).
