What is sitagliptin?
Sitagliptin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.
Sitagliptin is for people with type 2 diabetes diabetes. Sitagliptin is sometimes used in combination with other diabetes medications, but is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Sitagliptin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about sitagliptin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sitagliptin or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Before taking sitagliptin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, if you are on dialysis, or if you have a history of pancreatitis.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are taking sitagliptin.
Stop taking sitagliptin and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, or fast heart rate.
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
Sitagliptin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sitagliptin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sitagliptin, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
To make sure you can safely take sitagliptin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Your name may need to be listed on a sitagliptin pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
It is not known whether sitagliptin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Sitagliptin should not be given to a child younger than 18 years old without a doctor's advice.