Sitagliptin can be used either alone, on its own, or in combination therapy with other antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin, glitazones, sulphonylureas or insulin. There are medicines on the market in which sitagliptin is found in combination with metformin or in combination with ertugliflozin. These, as well as medicines containing sitagliptin only, can be dispensed only on presentation of a limited repeatable medical prescription (RRL - drugs that can be sold to the public only on prescription from hospitals or specialists). In any case, since they are classified as class A drugs, their cost can be reimbursed by the National Health System (SSN).
Examples of Sitagliptin-containing Medicines
- Efficib® (in combination with metformin)
- Janumet® (in combination with metformin)
- Januvia®
- Sitagliptin Teva®
- Steglujan® (in combination with ertugliflozin)
- Tesavel®
- Velmetia® (in combination with metformin)
- Xelevia®
Note: In this article we will consider indications, warnings, interactions, side effects, use in pregnancy and during lactation and contraindications of sitagliptin alone and not sitagliptin in combination with other antidiabetics.
type 2. This active ingredient can be used either alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medicines, including insulin.
Please Note
Even if you are being treated with sitagliptin or other antidiabetic agents, the diet and exercise prescribed by your doctor must NOT be interrupted, but must be accompanied by drug therapy.
, as there have been reports of inflammation of the pancreas in patients taking sitagliptin;When taken alone, sitagliptin is unlikely to lead to hypoglycaemia. However, if sitagliptin is taken in combination with a sulphonylurea or insulin, the risk of developing hypoglycaemia increases.
Please Note
- The use of sitagliptin in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age should not be undertaken as there are no data on safety of use and efficacy in this patient group.
- Cases of somnolence and dizziness have been reported during treatment with sitagliptin. These symptoms can interfere with the ability to drive and use machines. At the same time, the symptoms of hypoglycaemia that can occur when sitagliptin is taken concomitantly with other antidiabetic drugs are capable of adversely affecting the aforementioned activities.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin, as your blood levels may need to be monitored.
experiencing undesirable effects that differ in type and intensity, or not showing them at all.Sitagliptin treatment should be stopped immediately and the doctor contacted immediately in case of:
- Severe stomach pain which may extend to the back, with or without nausea and vomiting, as these could be signs of pancreatitis.
- Severe allergic reactions which can occur with:
- Rash;
- Urticaria;
- Blisters on the skin
- Peeling of the skin;
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
Other side effects that may arise during sitagliptin therapy, especially (but not exclusively) when combined with other antidiabetic drugs, include:
- Nausea and / or vomiting;
- Flatulence;
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dry mouth
- Hypoglycemia;
- Drowsiness;
- Swelling of the hands or legs
- Influence;
- Upper respiratory tract infections, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
- Headache;
- Osteoarthritis;
- Pain in the arms and / or legs;
- Tiredness;
- Dizziness
- Itching;
- Kidney problems;
- Muscle and joint pains;
- Backache;
- Interstitial lung disease;
- Bullous pemphigoid.
Overdose
In the event of an overdose of sitagliptin - known or suspected to be - you should contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room, taking care to take the package of the medicine taken with you.
similar) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). Incretins are hormones produced in the intestine whose concentrations increase following food intake. They are involved in glucose homeostasis. More specifically, incretins induce an increase in the biosynthesis of insulin - hence its secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas - inhibit the secretion of glucagon and reduce the hepatic production of glucose, resulting in a control on blood glucose levels. Therefore, dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin are able to increase the bioavailability of incretins and promote glycemic control by means of a glucose-dependent mechanism. .
The usually recommended dosage is 100 mg of sitagliptin per day, to be taken in a single administration. In the event that the patient suffers from kidney problems, the doctor may decide to decrease the dose administered to 25-50 mg of the active ingredient per day. day.
Forgetfulness of a dose
If a dose of sitagliptin is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the forgotten dose is noticed when the next dose is due, the missed dose should be skipped and the next dose continued. A double dose should NOT be taken to make up for a forgotten dose.
, its use in this category of patients is contraindicated.
