About Sitagliptin 100 mg Tablet
Sitagliptin 100 mg Tablet contains Sitagliptin 100 mg. Sitagliptin is a medicine used to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is a DPP-4 inhibitor (a 'gliptin'). It is used along with diet and exercise, alone or with other diabetes medicines such as metformin. On its own, it does not usually cause low blood sugar. It is usually taken once a day.
Uses of Sitagliptin 100 mg Tablet
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, alone or with other diabetes medicines
Benefits
In type 2 diabetes
It helps keep blood sugar in a healthy range, especially after meals. Good sugar control over time lowers the risk of diabetes problems in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Headache
- Stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
- Upper respiratory infection
- Low blood sugar when used with a sulfonylurea or insulin
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe, lasting stomach pain that may spread to the back, with or without vomiting — may be pancreatitis; stop and seek medical help straight away
- Signs of low blood sugar (when used with insulin or sulfonylureas): sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, confusion — take sugar or a sweet drink at once and tell your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing — stop and seek emergency care
- Blisters or breakdown of the skin — contact your doctor
- Severe joint pain — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water.
How it works
Sitagliptin blocks an enzyme called DPP-4. This keeps the body's own 'incretin' hormones active for longer, so the pancreas releases more insulin after meals and the liver makes less sugar.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can affect blood sugar and may raise the risk of pancreatitis. Limit alcohol and ask your doctor.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It should not be used in pregnancy. Your doctor will usually switch you to insulin.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is not known whether it passes into breast milk, and it is generally not recommended. Ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
Low blood sugar can occur when it is used with sulfonylureas or insulin, and dizziness has been reported. Do not drive if you feel unwell.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; the dose will need to be adjusted.
Liver Consult your doctor
It has not been studied in severe liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it at the same time every day.
- Stop and see a doctor if you get severe, lasting stomach pain.
- If you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea, learn the signs of low blood sugar and carry sugar with you.
- Keep up your diet, exercise and regular blood sugar checks.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Triazolopyrazine derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-diabetic
- Action class
- Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Sulfonylureas (e.g. glimepiride, gliclazide) and insulin | Higher risk of low blood sugar; the dose of these may need lowering |
| Digoxin | Its level may rise slightly; your doctor may monitor you |
| Steroid tablets and some water tablets | Can raise blood sugar |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Sitagliptin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: sitagliptin). Pharmacist review pending.