Axitinib, as a novel, selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor, is associated with overall incidence and risk of gastrointestinal (GI) events. We conducted an up-to-date meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence and relative risk (RR) in patients treated with axitinib. Pubmed and Embase were searched to identify relevant clinical trials. A total of 2890 patients from 17 clinical trials were included. The use of axitinib was associated with increased risk of all-grade (RR 1.27 95% CI, 1.21-1.35) and high-grade GI events (RR, 1.73 95% CI, 1.40-2.13). The risk of axitinib associated high-grade GI events was significant for diarrhea (RR 1.78, 95% CI, 1.28-2.48) and anorexia (RR 2.55, 95% CI, 1.55-4.19). When stratified by tumor type (renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and. non-RCC), the risk of high-grade GI events was significant for anorexia in RCC patients and was significant for diarrhea and anorexia in non RCC patients. Additionally, the risk of all-grade and high-grade GI events with axitinib was substantially higher than sorafenib and a statistically significant increase in the risk of anorexia was found for axitinib comparing studies with sunitinib and pazopanib. Treatment with axitinib is associated with a significant increase in the risk of GI events, and frequent clinical monitoring and appropriate management for GI events should be emphasized during clinical treatment.