Onglyza

Onglyza is a prescription medication used along with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. Onglyza belongs to a group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and works by increasing the amount of insulin made by the body after meals and by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth. It is usually taken once daily, with or without food. Do not split or cut Onglyza tablets. Swallow the tablets whole.

Common side effects of Onglyza includes upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache.

Onglyza is a prescription medication used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take Onglyza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of Onglyza is 2.5 mg or 5 mg once daily taken with or without food.

Serious side effects can happen to people taking Onglyza, including the following:

Stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider 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.

Onglyza may cause severe and persistent joint pain. If you experience severe and persistent joint pain, contact your doctor right away. Do not stop taking your medication. Your doctor will decide if your medication is the possible cause of severe joint pain and will discontinue the drug if appropriate.

Do not take Onglyza if you:

• have a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to Onglyza, such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, or exfoliative skin conditions.

• swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas on your skin
• difficulty with swallowing or breathing
• raised, red areas on your skin (hives)
• skin rash, itching, flaking, or peeling

If you have these symptoms, stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away.

Onglyza can cause serious side effects. See the "Drug Precautions" section for additional information.

Common side effects of Onglyza include:

• upper respiratory tract infection
• urinary tract infection
• headache

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may become worse in people who also take another medication to treat diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Tell your healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• shaking
• sweating
• rapid heartbeat
• change in vision
• hunger
• headache
• change in mood

if you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away.

• swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas on your skin
• difficulty with swallowing or breathing
• raised, red areas on your skin (hives)
• skin rash, itching, flaking, or peeling

Swelling or fluid retention in your hands, feet, or ankles (peripheral edema) may become worse in people who also take a thiazolidinedione to treat diabetes. If you do not know whether you are already on this type of medication, ask your healthcare provider.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Onglyza. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider.

Tell your healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Contact your healthcare provider 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.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category B. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Onglyza may be passed in your milk to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you take Onglyza.

Onglyza can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you take another medication to treat diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar.

Onglyza can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop taking Onglyza and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that is severe and will not go away.

During periods of stress on the body, such as fever, trauma, infection, and/or surgery, contact your doctor. Your medication dose may need to be changed.

Follow food recommendations made by your doctor and dietitian. 

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Onglyza and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.