Onglyza Information and Uses

Onglyza

Onglyza Overview

Onglyza (generic: saxagliptin) is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Onglyza belongs to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of insulin produced by the body after meals, and by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver.

This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once daily, with or without food.

Common side effects of Onglyza include upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache.

Uses of Onglyza

Onglyza is a prescription medication used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Onglyza

Onglyza can cause serious side effects, including:

See "Drug Precautions"
Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, such as:
- swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas on your skin
- difficulty with swallowing or breathing
- raised, red areas on your skin (hives)
- skin rash, itching, flaking, or peeling

: If you have these symptoms, stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away.

Common side effects of Onglyza include:

upper respiratory tract infection
urinary tract infection
headache

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may become worse in people who also take another medication to treat diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Tell your healthcare provider if you take other diabetes medicines. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, you should check your blood sugar and treat if low, then call your healthcare provider. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

shaking
sweating
rapid heartbeat
change in vision
hunger
headache
change in mood

Swelling or fluid retention in your hands, feet, or ankles (peripheral edema) may become worse in people who also take a thiazolidinedione to treat diabetes. If you do not know whether you are already on this type of medication, ask your healthcare provider.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Onglyza. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider.

Onglyza Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Onglyza may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Onglyza works. Contact your healthcare provider if you will be starting or stopping certain other types of medications, such as antibiotics, or medicines that treat fungus or HIV/AIDS, because your dose of Onglyza might need to be changed.

Onglyza Precautions

Serious side effects can happen to people taking Onglyza, including inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) which may be severe and lead to death.

Certain medical problems make you more likely to get pancreatitis.

Before you start taking Onglyza:

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had

inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
stones in your gallbladder (gallstones)
a history of alcoholism
high blood triglyceride levels

It is not known if having these medical problems will make you more likely to get pancreatitis with Onglyza.

Stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that is severe and will not go away. The pain may be felt going from your abdomen through to your back. The pain may happen with or without vomiting. These may be symptoms of pancreatitis.

Do not take Onglyza if you:

are allergic to any ingredients in Onglyza. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Onglyza.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Onglyza may include:

swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas on your skin
difficulty with swallowing or breathing
raised, red areas on your skin (hives)
skin rash, itching, flaking, or peeling

If you have these symptoms, stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away.

Onglyza Food Interactions

Follow dietary (food) recommendations made by your doctor and dietitian which should include a healthy diet.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Onglyza and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Inform MD

Before you take Onglyza, tell your healthcare provider if you:

have kidney problems.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Onglyza and Pregnancy

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Onglyza will harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar while you are pregnant.

Onglyza and Lactation

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Onglyza may be passed in your milk to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you take Onglyza.

Onglyza Usage

Take Onglyza by mouth one time each day exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
Onglyza can be taken with or without food.
Do not split or cut Onglyza tablets.
During periods of stress on the body, such as:
- fever
- trauma
- infection
- surgery

: Contact your healthcare provider right away as your medication needs may change.

Your healthcare provider should test your blood to measure how well your kidneys are working before and during your treatment with Onglyza. You may need a lower dose of Onglyza if your kidneys are not working well.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for treating blood sugar that is too low (hypoglycemia). Talk to your healthcare provider if low blood sugar is a problem for you.
If you miss a dose of Onglyza, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about a missed dose.
If you take too much Onglyza, call your healthcare provider or Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Onglyza Dosage

Take Onglyza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of Onglyza is 2.5 mg or 5 mg once daily taken with or without food.

Onglyza Overdose

If you take too much Onglyza, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Forms of Onglyza

Onglyza tablets are available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg strengths.

Active ingredient: saxagliptin

Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, talc, and iron oxides.