Sitagliptin
Description
Sitagliptin is an antidiabetic medicine. It is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat type II diabetes in adults (abnormal increase in the blood sugar levels when your body cannot use the insulin it makes effectively to move sugar from the blood into the cells). It works by increasing the production of a hormone known as insulin, which helps in decreasing the excessive sugar level in the blood.
Sitagliptin shows common side effects such as sore throat, stuffy nose, low blood sugar level, or headache. If these symptoms persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance.
Sitagliptin can be taken with or without food as directed by the doctor. Take the medicine at the same time daily for ease of remembering. Do not discontinue the medicine without consulting your doctor, as it can worsen your condition. Avoid the consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine as it may affect your blood sugar levels.
Sitagliptin is not recommended if you are allergic to it. It should be taken with caution if you have kidney or heart condition, gallstones (hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas, an organ vital for digestion and to control blood sugar levels), or a high triglyceride level (a type of fat).
Sitagliptin is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age as there is a lack of safety and efficacy data. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sitagliptin
- Headache
- Chills
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Cough
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Dizziness
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
Uses of Sitagliptin
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken by Sitagliptin to show its effect is not known.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Sitagliptin remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Sitagliptin due to the increased risk of altered blood sugar levels.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Sitagliptin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Sitagliptin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is unknown if Sitagliptin passes into breast milk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Sitagliptin if you are allergic to it. 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
Sitagliptin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown if Sitagliptin passes into breast milk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Use in children
Sitagliptin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Sitagliptin is not recommended if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication associated with diabetes that may cause an increase in the level of blood acid known as ketones), as it can worsen your condition.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Sitagliptin is not recommended for use if you have Type 1 diabetes mellitus (abnormal increase in sugar level due to reduction in the production of a hormone known as insulin responsible to regulate blood sugar levels), as it can worsen your condition.
Kidney and heart condition
Sitagliptin should be used with caution if you have kidney or heart conditions, as it may worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Gallstones
Sitagliptin should be used with caution if you have gallstones (hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located below the liver). Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
High cholesterol levels
Sitagliptin should be used with caution if you have high cholesterol levels. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Sitagliptin. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Do not take more than the recommended dose of Sitagliptin. 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 Sitagliptin due to the increased risk of altered blood sugar levels.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Acetazolamide
Gatifloxacin
Bexarotene
Disease interactions
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the swelling of the pancreas, a gland that produces chemical substances which help in digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Sitagliptin may increase the risk of pancreatitis and should be used with caution if you have a history of acute pancreatitis. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Sitagliptin can be taken with or without food. Do not break, crush, and chew the tablet. Swallow it with an adequate amount of water.
Take the medicine at the same time every day for ease of remembering.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not change the dose or duration of use without consulting your doctor.
Adapt healthy lifestyles such as eating a diet with low sugar or sodium content and indulging in physical activities.
Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly during treatment with this medicine.
Always carry a sugar candy with you to counteract the unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Sitagliptin works by increasing the production of a hormone known as insulin, which further helps in decreasing the excessive sugar level in the blood.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Aug 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.