Indications
Alogliptin is used to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, together with diet and exercise. It can be used alone or with other diabetes medicines such as Metformin, Pioglitazone, a sulfonylurea or Insulin.
How It Works
Alogliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor (gliptin). It keeps natural gut hormones called incretins active for longer. These hormones help the pancreas release more insulin when blood sugar is high and reduce the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar.
Dosage and Administration
- Adults: 25 mg once a day.
- Moderate kidney impairment: 12.5 mg once a day.
- Severe kidney impairment or dialysis: 6.25 mg once a day.
Take at about the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow whole with water. Your doctor will check kidney function to choose the right dose.
Interactions
Alogliptin alone rarely causes low blood sugar, but the risk increases when it is taken with a sulfonylurea (such as Glimepiride or Gliclazide) or Insulin; the doctor may lower the dose of those medicines. It has few other important interactions. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take.
Contraindications
- Type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- History of a serious allergic reaction to Alogliptin or another DPP-4 inhibitor.
- Allergy to any ingredient of the product.
Side Effects
Common: headache, cold-like symptoms, itching, rash, stomach pain and acid reflux. Low blood sugar can occur when combined with a sulfonylurea or Insulin (shaking, sweating, hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion); take sugar or a sweet drink at once.
Get urgent medical help for severe, lasting stomach pain that may spread to the back, with or without vomiting (possible pancreatitis); blisters on the skin; swelling of the face, lips or throat or difficulty breathing; yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or loss of appetite (possible liver problem); new breathlessness or swollen ankles; or severe joint pain.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended during pregnancy; Insulin is usually preferred to control blood sugar in pregnancy. It is not known if it passes into breast milk, so it is best avoided while breastfeeding unless the doctor advises.
Precautions and Warnings
Kidney function should be checked before starting and from time to time. Use with care if you have liver disease, heart failure or a past episode of pancreatitis. Learn the signs of low blood sugar and how to treat them, especially if you also take a sulfonylurea or Insulin. Keep to your diet, exercise and regular blood sugar checks.
Overdose
There is no specific antidote. Seek medical advice if much more than the prescribed dose is taken; blood sugar and general condition may need to be monitored.
Therapeutic Class
Antidiabetic medicine (DPP-4 inhibitor, gliptin).
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.