Common use

Onglyza is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating. Onglyza is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 type 2 diabetes mellitus. Onglyza is not for treating type 1 diabetes. Onglyza is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications.

Dosage and direction

Take Onglyza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You may take Onglyza with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2: 2.5 or 5 mg orally once a day, regardless of meals.
Coadministration with strong CYP450 3A4/5 inhibitors: 2.5 mg orally once a day.

Precautions

To make sure Onglyza is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); heart disease; pancreatitis; gallstones; high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); or alcoholism.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Contraindications

You should not use Onglyza if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to saxagliptin, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
You should not use Onglyza if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Onglyza is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or if you are on dialysis.
Onglyza is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Onglyza: hives, a purple or red skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking Onglyza and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, or fast heartbeats.
Call your doctor at once if you have: severe or ongoing pain in your joints; pain or burning when you urinate; or heart problems - shortness of breath (even while lying down), feeling weak or tired, rapid weight gain, swelling (especially in your feet, legs, or midsection.
Common Onglyza side effects may include: painful urination; headache; runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or swelling in your hands or feet.

Drug interaction

Other drugs may increase or decrease the effects of saxagliptin on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Missed dose

Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not take two doses at one time, and do not take an extra dose the next day.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store away from children and pets.