Onglyza 5mg Tablets

Manufacturer ASTRAZENECA Active Ingredient Saxagliptin(sax a GLIP tin) Pronunciation Sax-a-GLIP-tin
It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
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Drug Class
Antidiabetic agent
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Pharmacologic Class
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitor
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Pregnancy Category
Not available
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FDA Approved
Jul 2009
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a medication used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing the amount of natural substances in your body called 'incretins,' which help your body make more insulin when blood sugar is high and reduce the amount of sugar your liver makes.
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How to Use This Medicine

Taking Your Medication Correctly

To get the most benefit from your medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Read all the information provided with your prescription and follow the instructions closely. You can take this medication with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole - do not chew, break, or crush it. Continue taking your medication as directed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better.

Storing and Disposing of Your Medication

Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, away from the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you have questions about disposing of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs in your area.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for a missed one.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Maintain a balanced diet as recommended by your doctor or dietitian.
  • Engage in regular physical activity as advised by your healthcare provider.
  • Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly as instructed.
  • Do not skip meals, especially if you are also taking other diabetes medications that can cause low blood sugar.
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Available Forms & Alternatives

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: 5 mg once daily
Dose Range: 2.5 - 5 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: 5 mg orally once daily, regardless of meals.
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established
Infant: Not established
Child: Not established
Adolescent: Not established
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment required (CrCl > 50 mL/min)
Moderate: 2.5 mg once daily (CrCl ≀ 50 mL/min)
Severe: 2.5 mg once daily (CrCl < 30 mL/min)
Dialysis: 2.5 mg once daily; administer after dialysis

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment required
Moderate: No dose adjustment required
Severe: Not studied; use with caution

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Saxagliptin is a highly selective, reversible, competitive dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It slows the inactivation of incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), by DPP-4. By increasing and prolonging active incretin levels, saxagliptin enhances glucose-dependent insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and decreases glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, leading to improved glycemic control.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: 67%
Tmax: 2-4 hours (saxagliptin), 2-4 hours (active metabolite)
FoodEffect: No clinically meaningful effect on absorption

Distribution:

Vd: 210 L
ProteinBinding: < 4% (saxagliptin), < 1% (active metabolite)
CnssPenetration: Limited

Elimination:

HalfLife: 2.5 hours (saxagliptin), 3.1 hours (active metabolite)
Clearance: Not available
ExcretionRoute: Renal (75%), Fecal (22%)
Unchanged: 36% (saxagliptin), 7.5% (active metabolite) in urine
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: Rapid (within hours)
PeakEffect: Peak plasma concentrations reached within 2-4 hours, leading to sustained DPP-4 inhibition over 24 hours.
DurationOfAction: 24 hours (due to sustained DPP-4 inhibition)

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of pancreatitis (pancreas problem), such as:
+ Severe stomach pain
+ Severe back pain
+ Severe upset stomach or vomiting
Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as:
+ Blood in the urine
+ Burning or pain while urinating
+ Frequent or urgent need to urinate
+ Fever
+ Lower stomach pain
+ Pelvic pain
Low blood sugar, which may be more likely when taking this medication with other diabetes drugs. Signs of low blood sugar include:
+ Dizziness
+ Headache
+ Feeling sleepy or weak
+ Shaking
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
+ If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away and follow their instructions for managing low blood sugar, which may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
Heart failure, which has occurred in people taking this medication. If you have a history of heart failure or kidney problems, inform your doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
+ Extreme fatigue
+ Shortness of breath
+ Sudden weight gain
+ Swelling in the arms or legs
Severe and disabling joint pain. Contact your doctor right away if you experience:
+ Very bad joint pain
+ Joint pain that does not go away
Bullous pemphigoid, a skin reaction that may require hospitalization. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice:
+ Blisters
+ Skin breakdown

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical attention:

Headache
* Signs of a common cold

Reporting Side Effects

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): sweating, shaking, dizziness, confusion, hunger, irritability. Carry a source of fast-acting sugar (e.g., glucose tablets, juice) to treat low blood sugar.
  • Symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): severe stomach pain that does not go away, possibly radiating to your back, with or without vomiting. Stop taking Onglyza and call your doctor immediately.
  • Symptoms of heart failure: unusual shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, sudden weight gain. Contact your doctor if you experience these.
  • Severe joint pain (arthralgia): Report any new or worsening severe joint pain to your doctor.
  • Skin reactions: Blisters or erosions on the skin (bullous pemphigoid). Seek medical attention if these occur.
  • Allergic reactions: Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, rash, itching. Seek immediate medical attention.
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Before Using This Medicine

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have type 1 diabetes, as this medication is not intended to treat this condition.
* If you have a condition that affects the acidity of your blood.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help you determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions.

Remember, do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor to ensure your safety.
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Precautions & Cautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

If you experience low blood sugar, do not operate a vehicle, as this can significantly increase your risk of being involved in an accident.

Monitor your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor to ensure they remain within a healthy range. Additionally, undergo blood tests as scheduled by your doctor and discuss the results with them.

Be aware that stress, such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery, can make it more challenging to manage your blood sugar levels. Changes in physical activity, exercise, or diet can also impact your blood sugar control.

Before consuming alcohol, consult with your doctor to understand the potential effects on your condition.

Adhere to the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor to maintain optimal blood sugar management.

Note that this medication has been associated with a severe pancreas problem called pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening. If you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, inform your doctor. It is crucial to discuss the benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby to make an informed decision.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Hypoglycemia (if co-administered with sulfonylurea or insulin)
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
  • Other adverse effects seen at therapeutic doses, potentially exaggerated.

What to Do:

In case of overdose, contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency medical attention. Supportive treatment should be initiated as dictated by the patient’s clinical status. Saxagliptin and its active metabolite are dialyzable.

Drug Interactions

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Major Interactions

  • Strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin): Reduce saxagliptin dose to 2.5 mg once daily.
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Moderate Interactions

  • Moderate CYP3A4/5 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, verapamil, fluconazole): No dose adjustment specified, but monitor for increased saxagliptin exposure.

Monitoring

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Baseline Monitoring

HbA1c

Rationale: To establish baseline glycemic control and assess treatment efficacy.

Timing: Prior to initiation

Renal function (eGFR or CrCl)

Rationale: To determine appropriate starting dose and identify need for dose adjustment.

Timing: Prior to initiation

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Routine Monitoring

HbA1c

Frequency: Every 3-6 months

Target: Individualized, typically <7%

Action Threshold: If target not met, consider dose adjustment or addition of other agents.

Renal function (eGFR or CrCl)

Frequency: At least annually, or more frequently in patients with impaired renal function or risk factors for kidney disease.

Target: Maintain appropriate CrCl for dosing

Action Threshold: If CrCl falls below 50 mL/min, reduce saxagliptin dose to 2.5 mg daily. If CrCl falls below 30 mL/min, maintain 2.5 mg daily.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis

Frequency: Routinely

Target: Absence of symptoms

Action Threshold: If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue saxagliptin and initiate appropriate management.

Signs and symptoms of heart failure

Frequency: Routinely

Target: Absence of new or worsening symptoms

Action Threshold: If heart failure develops or worsens, assess and manage according to standard of care. Consider discontinuing saxagliptin.

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., sweating, tremor, dizziness, confusion, hunger)
  • Symptoms of pancreatitis (e.g., severe, persistent abdominal pain, radiating to the back, with or without vomiting)
  • Symptoms of heart failure (e.g., shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or feet, rapid weight gain)
  • Symptoms of severe arthralgia (e.g., severe and disabling joint pain)
  • Symptoms of bullous pemphigoid (e.g., blisters or erosions on the skin)
  • Symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, urticaria, angioedema)

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

Limited data on saxagliptin use in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown no direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. Should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: Limited human data, animal studies show no teratogenicity.
Second Trimester: Limited human data.
Third Trimester: Limited human data.
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Lactation

It is unknown whether saxagliptin is excreted in human milk. Saxagliptin and its active metabolite are excreted in the milk of lactating rats. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Infant Risk: Low to unknown. Potential for adverse effects on the breastfed infant (e.g., hypoglycemia, though unlikely given mechanism). Consider alternative agents or close infant monitoring.
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Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Onglyza have not been established in pediatric patients. Not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.

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Geriatric Use

No dose adjustment is recommended based on age alone. However, older patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, so renal function should be assessed and dose adjusted accordingly.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • Saxagliptin is generally weight-neutral and has a low risk of hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy or with metformin.
  • A dose reduction is required for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis.
  • There is an increased risk of heart failure hospitalization with saxagliptin, particularly in patients with a history of heart failure or renal impairment. Use with caution in these populations.
  • Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported with DPP-4 inhibitors, including saxagliptin. Patients should be informed of the characteristic symptom of acute pancreatitis: persistent, severe abdominal pain.
  • Severe and disabling arthralgia has been reported with DPP-4 inhibitors. Consider saxagliptin as a possible cause if a patient develops severe joint pain and discontinue if appropriate.
  • Bullous pemphigoid, a serious blistering skin condition, has been reported with DPP-4 inhibitor use. If suspected, discontinue saxagliptin.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Metformin
  • Sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride)
  • Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (e.g., pioglitazone, rosiglitazone)
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide)
  • SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin)
  • Insulin
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (e.g., acarbose, miglitol)
  • Meglitinides (e.g., repaglinide, nateglinide)
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: $400 - $550 per 30 tablets
Insurance Coverage: Tier 2 or Tier 3 (preferred or non-preferred brand)
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication.

This medication is accompanied by a Medication Guide, which provides crucial information about its use. Please read this guide carefully and review it again whenever you receive a refill. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When reporting the incident, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the quantity, and the time it occurred. This information will help healthcare professionals provide you with the most effective treatment.