Drug Action
Inhibits dipeptidylpeptidase-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion.
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Drug reference
Inhibits dipeptidylpeptidase-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion.
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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 ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 5 mg once daily, for further information on use with other antidiabetic drugs—consult product literature
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DUE TO INTERACTIONS ▶Dose of concomitant sulfonylurea or insulin may need to be reduced.
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Elderly. history of pancreatitis. moderate to severe heart failure (limited experience)
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Contra-indicated if patient has a history of serious hypersensitivity to dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors.
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Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised that saxagliptin (Onglyza ®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as triple therapy in combination with metformin and a sulfonylurea, as an alternative to existing dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, when treatment with metformin and a sulfonylurea is inadequate (November 2013).
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→Appendix 1: saxagliptin
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▶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 Constipation. nausea SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Discontinue if symptoms of acute pancreatitis occur such as persistent, severe abdominal pain.
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Avoid unless essential—toxicity in animal studies.
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Avoid—present in milk in animal studies.
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Manufacturer advises caution in moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment (risk of increased exposure).
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Use with caution in severe impairment. Dose adjustments Reduce dose to 2.5 mg once daily in moderate to severe impairment.
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Determine renal function before treatment and periodically thereafter.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Tablet ▶Onglyza (AstraZeneca UK Ltd) Saxagliptin (as Saxagliptin hydrochloride) 2.5 mg Onglyza 2.5mg tablets | 28 tablet P £31.60 DT = £31.60 Saxagliptin (as Saxagliptin hydrochloride) 5 mg Onglyza 5mg tablets | 28 tablet P £31.60 DT = £31.60
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5 mg once daily, for further information on use
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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