Uses
What is saxagliptin used for?
Saxagliptin is used with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Saxagliptin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does saxagliptin work (mechanism of action)?
Saxagliptin works to help keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. Saxagliptin blocks an enzyme called DPP-4. Blocking DPP-4 helps increase the levels of natural hormones in your body called incretins. Incretins help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin levels, especially after meals. They also decrease the amount of blood sugar that is made by the liver.
How is saxagliptin supplied (dosage forms)?
Saxagliptin is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 2.5 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg oral tablets
How should I store saxagliptin?
Saxagliptin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of saxagliptin?
The most common side effects of saxagliptin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
There may be other side effects of saxagliptin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of saxagliptin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of saxagliptin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Saxagliptin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using saxagliptin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Saxagliptin can cause low blood sugar (especially if used with other diabetes medicines), which can be serious and may lead to death. The doses of your other diabetes medicines may need to be changed when taken with saxagliptin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Saxagliptin may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop taking saxagliptin and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.
Heart Failure. Saxagliptin may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Unusually fast weight gain
- Unusual tiredness
Severe Joint Pain. Saxagliptin may cause Joint pain that can be severe. Call your healthcare provider if you have new or increased joint pain while taking this medicine.
Severe Skin Reactions. Saxagliptin can cause a rare skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid. This reaction may start as an itchy skin rash and large blisters may form on the skin. You may need treatment in a hospital if this reaction happens. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash or blisters on the skin while taking this medicine.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use saxagliptin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use saxagliptin.
- Saxagliptin
- Onglyza
- Any other medicine that contains saxagliptin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific saxagliptin products they stock.
Type 1 Diabetes. Saxagliptin is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Saxagliptin is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
What should I know about saxagliptin before using it?
Do not take saxagliptin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share saxagliptin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep saxagliptin out of the reach of children.
Do not cut or split saxagliptin tablets.
Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using saxagliptin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if saxagliptin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
- Heart failure
- Alcoholism
- High triglyceride levels
Other Medicines and Supplements. Saxagliptin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using saxagliptin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how saxagliptin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take saxagliptin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if saxagliptin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does saxagliptin interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between saxagliptin and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect saxagliptin, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effects of saxagliptin. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does saxagliptin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any other medicines you use for diabetes.
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of saxagliptin. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with saxagliptin. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much saxagliptin?
If you or someone else has used too much saxagliptin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of saxagliptin?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose, unless your healthcare provider tells you differently. Do not take double or extra doses the next day.
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