How We Research Side Effects
Where our side effect data comes from and how we translate clinical numbers into plain language.
Our Data Sources
Every side effect claim on GLPSpot is backed by a real source. Here is where we look:
Clinical Trial Results
We pull side effect rates directly from published clinical trials (STEP, SURMOUNT, SELECT, SCALE). These trials report the percentage of patients who experienced each side effect, compared to placebo.
FDA Prescribing Information
Every FDA-approved medication has an official prescribing label. These labels list all observed side effects and their frequency. We use these as our baseline.
Post-Marketing Surveillance (FAERS)
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects real-world side effect reports after a drug is approved. We check FAERS for rare side effects that may not have shown up in clinical trials.
Peer-Reviewed Studies
We review independent studies published in medical journals that look at side effects in real-world patient populations (not just clinical trial participants).
Patient Surveys and Community Data
We review patient-reported experiences from GLP-1 communities and forums. This data is not clinical, but it helps us understand what people actually deal with day to day. We always label this as patient-reported, not clinical.
How We Translate Clinical Numbers
Clinical trials report side effects in percentages. "Nausea occurred in 44.2% of participants." That is accurate but not very helpful for a real person trying to decide if they should take a medication.
Here is how we translate those numbers:
| Clinical Term | What We Write |
|---|---|
| Very common (≥10%) | "Most people" or "Very common" |
| Common (1-10%) | "Some people" or "Fairly common" |
| Uncommon (0.1-1%) | "A small number of people" |
| Common (1-10%) | "Some people" or "Fairly common" |
| Uncommon (0.1-1%) | "A small number of people" |
| Rare (<0.1%) | "Very rare" or "Uncommon but serious" |
We always include the actual percentage alongside the plain-language version. You get both: the simple explanation and the real number.
What This Data Cannot Tell You
Clinical trial data is not the same as your experience. Trial participants are carefully selected and closely monitored. Real-world patients are more diverse and may have different reactions.
- Side effect rates in trials may be lower than in the general population
- Some side effects take months or years to appear — trials may not catch them
- Drug interactions with other medications may change side effect risk
- Individual health conditions can make some side effects more likely
If you are worried about a specific side effect, talk to your doctor. They know your health history and can give you personalized guidance.
How Often We Update
We review side effect data every 6 months, or sooner if new safety information is released by the FDA or the drug manufacturer.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
Next scheduled review: October 6, 2026