Sitagliptin

Generic name: Sitagliptin
Brand names: Januvia
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 25 mg; 50 mg)
Drug class: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors

Usage of Sitagliptin

Sitagliptin is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sitagliptin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Sitagliptin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sitagliptin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Stop taking sitagliptin and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with or without vomiting.

Sitagliptin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe autoimmune reaction--itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin;

severe or ongoing pain in your joints;

little or no urination; or

symptoms of heart failure--shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

Common side effects of sitagliptin may include:

low blood sugar;

headache; or

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Sitagliptin

You should not use sitagliptin if you are allergic to it, or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

heart problems;

pancreatitis;

high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

gallstones; or

alcoholism.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using sitagliptin if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Your name may need to be listed on a sitagliptin pregnancy registry when you start using this medicine.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Sitagliptin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Sitagliptin

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

100 mg orally once a dayComments: -When used in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g. sulfonylurea) or insulin, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Warnings

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of heart failure--shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

Stop taking sitagliptin and call your doctor if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with or without vomiting.

What other drugs will affect Sitagliptin

Sitagliptin may not work as well when you use other medicines at the same time. Many other drugs can also affect blood sugar control.

You may be more likely to have low blood sugar if you also use insulin.

Other drugs may affect sitagliptin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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