Formulary
Saxagliptin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Inhibits dipeptidylpeptidase-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Saxagliptin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Inhibits dipeptidylpeptidase-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion.
Drug action
Inhibits dipeptidylpeptidase-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion.
Indications and dose
**Type 2 diabetes mellitus as monotherapy (if metformin inappropriate), or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs (including insulin) if existing treatment fails to achieve adequate glycaemic control**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 5 mg once daily, for further information on use with other antidiabetic drugs-consult product literature.
Cautions
History of pancreatitis; moderate to severe heart failure (limited experience)
Side effects
Common or very common Abdominal pain; dizziness; fatigue; headache; increased risk of infection; skin reactions; vomiting Uncommon Pancreatitis Rare or very rare Angioedema Frequency not known Bullous pemphigoid (discontinue); constipation; nausea Side-effects, further information Discontinue if symptoms of acute pancreatitis occur such as persistent, severe abdominal pain.
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with racecadotril, mTOR inhibitors (e.g.
Pregnancy
Avoid unless essential-toxicity in animal studies.
Breast feeding
Avoid-present in milk in animal studies.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution in moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment (risk of increased exposure).
Renal impairment
Caution if eGFR less than 45 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . M Avoid in end-stage renal disease requiring haemodialysis. M Dose adjustments Reduce dose to 2.5 mg once daily if eGFR less than 45 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 ; M see Prescribing in renal impairment .
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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