Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) is an active protein inducing bone formation, and it can regulate the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. In 2002 BMP2 was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for single-segment anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion surgery. However, during the clinical application, BMP2 was found to have the following adverse reactions:heterotopic ossification, osteolysis and graft sinking, formation of bone cysts, inflammation-related complications, radiculitis, retrograde ejaculation and carcinogenesis. These adverse reactions may be due to the off-label use of BMP2 and use of off-physiological dose. This review mainly sums up the adverse reactions in the clinical application of BMP2, hoping to provide reference for safer and more effective clinical medication.