Caring for a Loved One

As a caregiver it is important to have an understanding of type 2 diabetes and the impact it will have on the person within your care. You can play a meaningful role by encouraging consistency in a loved one's diabetes management program. This includes blood sugar monitoring and taking medication as directed by their doctor, careful management of diet, exercising (as recommended by their doctor), and regular visits with doctors.

Checking blood sugar levels

As a caregiver, you can encourage the person you're caring for to check their blood sugar numbers as directed by their doctor.

Managing diet

Food choices are very important for people with type 2 diabetes. You can help the person in your care choose foods and eat well-balance meals as directed by their doctor.

Encourage exercise

Regular exercise helps control blood sugar levels and is associated with many health benefits. You can help the person in your care understand the importance of physical activity and encourage them to follow the exercise program recommended by their doctor.

Monitoring medication

Most people with diabetes also have other medical conditions. Know the medications the person under your care is taking and understand how each of them works and their potential side effects. Inform the doctor immediately if the person has any reaction to the medications. Ensure that medications are taken or given on time and regularly, as prescribed by the doctor.

Offering support

Diabetes care is more than just taking care of the disease. The person you care for will need support. This may be expressed through encouraging words, insightful ideas, and loving reminders. You may be able to suggest solutions to obstacles and help the affected person discover their own motivation for lifestyle changes.

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As A Caregiver It's Important Io Take Care Of Yourself Too

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ONGLYZA (saxagliptin)

Do not take ONGLYZA 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 ever had pancreatitis, gallstones, history of alcoholism, or high triglyceride levels. 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.

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.

The most common side effects with ONGLYZA include upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache.

Your doctor should test your blood to measure how well your kidneys are working before and during treatment with ONGLYZA. You may need a lower dose if your kidneys are not working well.

Tell your doctor if you start or stop taking other medications, including antibiotics, antifungals or HIV/AIDS medications, as your doctor may need to change your dose of ONGLYZA.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or plan to become pregnant or breast-feed.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for Medication Guide, and click here for US Full Prescribing Information for ONGLYZA (saxagliptin).