Sitagliptin is a gliptin. It helps the body release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the glucose the liver puts out. It is weight-neutral and rarely causes hypos on its own, which makes it a comfortable add-on to metformin.
Once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day. It can be taken alone or alongside metformin and other diabetes medicines — some products combine it with metformin in one tablet.
The dose may be reduced if you have kidney problems, so kidney function is checked periodically.
Generally well tolerated. Headache, cold-like symptoms, nausea and stomach upset are the more common ones.
Also report a widespread rash or blistering skin, joint pain that is severe or persistent, or swelling of the face, lips or throat.
Hypos are unlikely on sitagliptin alone but become possible when it is combined with a sulfonylurea such as gliclazide, or with insulin — those doses are often reduced when it is added.
It does not usually cause weight gain, which is one of its main advantages over sulfonylureas.
Sitagliptin is not used in pregnancy — tell your diabetes team if you are planning one.
Continue with diet, activity and any glucose monitoring your team has advised; medicines work alongside those rather than instead of them.
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