Saxagliptin
Description
Saxagliptin is an antidiabetic medicine used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar levels when your body cannot make, or use the insulin it makes, effectively to move sugar from the blood into the cells). This medicine controls blood sugar levels by increasing the consumption of sugar by the body and reducing the production of sugar by the liver.
Saxagliptin has some side effects like headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, etc. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a longer time or worsen. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Saxagliptin may be taken with or without food as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your blood. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition.
Saxagliptin may not be suitable for everyone. Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems or any other health conditions. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications.
Saxagliptin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Saxagliptin
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Headache
- Runny Nose
- Rapid weight gain
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
Uses of Saxagliptin
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by Saxagliptin to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Saxagliptin remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Saxagliptin due to the increased risk of side effects.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Saxagliptin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Saxagliptin is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Saxagliptin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Saxagliptin if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Saxagliptin is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Saxagliptin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Use in children
Saxagliptin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents as the safety and efficacy data for use are not available.
Liver impairment
Saxagliptin should be used with extreme caution if you have moderate liver problems and is not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments or replacements with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Skin disorder
Saxagliptin should be used with caution as it may cause skin ulcers (open sores on the skin due to injury, poor blood circulation, or pressure), fluid-filled blisters, and rashes in some people. Inform your doctor if you observe any skin rashes or lesions (abnormal change to an area of skin).
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which little or no insulin (substance required to break down sugar) is produced in your body. Saxagliptin is not recommended to treat this condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Saxagliptin as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the recommended dose of Saxagliptin. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Saxagliptin due to the increased risk of side effects.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Amiodarone
Captopril
Acetazolamide
Gatifloxacin
Benazepril
Bexarotene
Disease interactions
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas, gland that produces chemical substances that helps in digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Use Saxagliptin with extreme caution if you have a history of pancreatitis, as this medicine may further increase the risk of recurrent pancreatitis. Report any symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tenderness when touching the abdomen, etc. to your doctor immediately.
Renal Dysfunction
Use Saxagliptin with extreme caution if you have kidney problems as it may further worsen your condition. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Saxagliptin with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed by your doctor.
Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen.
Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and worsen your condition.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine as it may cause severe side effects.
Take a sugar candy or sweets if you experience dizziness due to low blood sugar levels.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Saxagliptin controls blood sugar levels by increasing the consumption of sugar by the body and reducing the production of sugar by the liver.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ONGLYZA- saxagliptin tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Onglyza 5mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Saxagliptin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Jan 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.