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How does Onglyza work?
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Onglyza (saxagliptin) may lower blood sugar by helping the body increase the level of insulin
after meals.
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Can Onglyza be used with other oral type 2 diabetes drugs?
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Onglyza (saxagliptin) is FDA-approved to be used—along with diet and exercise—alone or in combination
with other oral anti-diabetes drugs, including metformin, a sulfonylurea glyburide,
or a TZD (thiazolidinedione).
- Onglyza works differently than these drugs; adding Onglyza may help improve control
of blood sugar.
When Onglyza is used with certain other diabetes medicines to treat high blood sugar,
such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is higher. Symptoms of low
blood sugar include shaking, hunger, sweating, headache, rapid heartbeat, change
in mood, and change in vision. Follow your doctor's instructions for treating low
blood sugar.
When Onglyza is used with a thiazolidinedione (TZD), such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone,
to treat high blood sugar, peripheral edema (fluid retention) may become worse.
If you have symptoms of peripheral edema, such as swelling of hands, feet, or ankles,
call your doctor.
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What should I tell my doctor before taking Onglyza?
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Before you take Onglyza (saxagliptin), tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions,
including if you:
- have had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallstones, a history of alcoholism, or high blood triglyceride levels. It is not known if you have a higher chance of getting pancreatitis while taking Onglyza.
- have had a serious allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Onglyza or any other similar medications (DPP-4 inhibitors) which are used to control high blood sugar.
- have type 1 diabetes. Onglyza should not be used to treat people with type 1 diabetes.
- have a history of or risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood
or urine). Onglyza should not be used for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- have kidney problems. You may need a lower dose of Onglyza if your kidneys are not working well.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Onglyza will harm your
unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the best way to control
your blood sugar while you are pregnant.
- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Onglyza may be passed in your milk to
your baby. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you
take Onglyza.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription
and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines
you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist
when you get a new medicine.
Onglyza may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect
how Onglyza works. Contact your doctor if you will be starting or stopping certain
other types of medications, such as antibiotics, or medicines that treat fungus
or HIV/AIDS, because your dose of Onglyza might need to be changed.
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How is Onglyza taken?
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Take Onglyza (saxagliptin) by mouth one time each day exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Onglyza can be taken with or without food.
- Do not split or cut Onglyza tablets.
- During periods of stress on the body, such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery,
contact your doctor right away as your medication needs may change.
- Your doctor should test your blood before starting Onglyza and from time to time
to measure how well your kidneys work. You may need a lower dose of Onglyza if your
kidneys are not working well.
- Your doctor may prescribe Onglyza along with other medicines that lower blood sugar.
- If you take too much Onglyza, call your doctor or Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222,
or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
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What if I miss a dose?
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If you miss a dose of Onglyza (saxagliptin), take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take your next dose at your
regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time unless your doctor tells you
to do so. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about a missed dose.
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Can Onglyza cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?
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Most people taking Onglyza (saxagliptin) alone did not experience hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar);
however, it may occur, particularly when taken with another diabetes medicine, such
as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Follow your doctor's instructions for treating low blood sugar.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- Shaking
- Hunger
- Sweating
- Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Change in mood
- Change in vision
If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, you should check your blood sugar and treat
if low, then call your doctor.
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What are the possible side effects of Onglyza?
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Do not take Onglyza (saxagliptin) if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Serious allergic reactions can occur with Onglyza and may include swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the skin, hives, rash, itching, flaking, or peeling. If you have these symptoms, stop taking Onglyza and contact your doctor right away.
Serious side effects can happen to people taking Onglyza, including inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which may be severe and lead to death. Before taking Onglyza, tell your doctor if you have ever had pancreatitis. Stop taking Onglyza and contact your doctor right away if you have pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that is severe and will not go away. The pain may be felt going from your abdomen through to your back. The pain may happen with or without vomiting. These may be symptoms of pancreatitis.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may become worse in people who already take
another medication to treat diabetes, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Tell your doctor if
you take other diabetes medicines. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, you
should check your blood sugar and treat if low, then call your doctor. Symptoms
of low blood sugar include:
- Shaking
- Hunger
- Sweating
- Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Change in mood
- Change in vision
Swelling or fluid retention in your hands, feet, or ankles (peripheral edema) may become worse in people who also take a thiazolidinedione (TZD), such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, to treat high blood sugar. If you have symptoms of peripheral edema, such as swelling of hands, feet, or ankles, call your doctor. If you do not know whether you are already on this type of medication, ask your doctor.
Common side effects of Onglyza include:
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Headache
These are not all of the possible side effects of Onglyza. Tell your doctor if you
have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. For more information,
ask your doctor.
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Does Onglyza cause weight gain?
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In clinical trials, Onglyza (saxagliptin) did not affect most people's weight.
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How should I store Onglyza?
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Store Onglyza (saxagliptin) between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep Onglyza and all medicines out
of the reach of children.
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