Sitagliptin

Sitagliptin is used along with diet and exercise and sometimes with other medications to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (condition in which blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally). Sitagliptin is in a class of medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances that lower blood sugar when it is high.

Sitagliptin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take sitagliptin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sitagliptin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Sitagliptin helps to control high blood sugar but does not cure diabetes. Continue to take sitagliptin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sitagliptin without talking to your doctor. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sitagliptin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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stuffed or runny nose</li>
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sore throat</li>
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headache</li>
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diarrhea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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ongoing pain, that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach but may spread to the back </li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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loss of appetite</li></ul>Sitagliptin may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.Sitagliptin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.</p>

Before taking sitagliptin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sitagliptin or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); insulin; and certain oral medications for diabetes including acetohexamide, chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, in Metaglip), glyburide (Diabeta, Glycron, Micronase), tolazamide (Tolinase), and tolbutamide. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had diabetes , diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may occur when blood sugar is too high), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), gallstones, high levels of triglycerides (fatty substances) in your blood, or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sitagliptin. talk to your doctor about what you should do if you get hurt or if you develop a fever or infection. These conditions may affect your blood sugar. talk to your doctor about the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and other complications of diabetes, what to do if you develop these symptoms, and how to prevent these conditions.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.