Saxagliptin at a glance
Medicine class
DPP-4 inhibitor, also called a gliptin.
Main use
Improving blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Food
The tablet may be taken with or without food.
Tablet handling
Swallow whole with water; do not split or cut it.
Low blood sugar
Uncommon when used alone, but the risk increases with insulin or a sulphonylurea.
What is Saxagliptin used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected product include:
Alongside diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Used alone when metformin is contraindicated or not tolerated.
Used with other glucose-lowering treatments, including insulin, when glucose control is inadequate.
How does Saxagliptin work?
Saxagliptin blocks DPP-4, prolonging the activity of the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP. When glucose is raised, this increases insulin release and reduces glucagon, lowering fasting and after-meal blood glucose.
Saxagliptin preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg
How to take Saxagliptin
Follow the prescription label. Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water. It can be taken with or without food and must not be split or cut.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber, as blood glucose may rise.
Saxagliptin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Upper respiratory, sinus or urinary tract infection
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Tiredness
- Rash
- Low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulphonylurea
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling
- Persistent severe abdominal pain suggesting pancreatitis
- New skin blisters or erosions, which may indicate bullous pemphigoid
- Increasing breathlessness, rapid weight gain or swollen feet suggesting worsening heart failure
- Severe joint pain
Saxagliptin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited, and the product information states that saxagliptin should not be used unless clearly necessary. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should have treatment reviewed promptly by their diabetes and maternity teams. Do not stop treatment without arranging advice because good glucose control remains important.
Saxagliptin while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether saxagliptin enters human breast milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. A prescriber should review the benefits of breastfeeding, treatment need and alternatives with better-established evidence.
Saxagliptin interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines being used. Important examples include:
Insulin and sulphonylureas
Increase the risk of low blood sugar.
Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin and dexamethasone
May reduce saxagliptin's glucose-lowering effect by increasing CYP3A4/5 activity.
Ketoconazole
Can substantially increase exposure to saxagliptin.
Diltiazem
Increases exposure to saxagliptin and should be considered during medication review.
Common questions about Saxagliptin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does Saxagliptin cause low blood sugar?
The risk is low when used alone but increases with insulin or a sulphonylurea.
Is Saxagliptin used for type 1 diabetes?
No. It is not licensed for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis and does not replace insulin when insulin is required.
Can Saxagliptin cause pancreatitis?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.