6 mins read

Overview: Sitagliptin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. The medicine works to keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. Headache is a common side effect. Stop taking this medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe belly pain that will not go away. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, this medicine comes as a liquid. 

Uses

What is sitagliptin used for?

Sitagliptin is used with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Sitagliptin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does sitagliptin work?

Sitagliptin works to help keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. Sitagliptin blocks an enzyme called DPP-4. Blocking DPP-4 helps increase the levels of natural hormones in your body called incretins. Incretins help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin levels, especially after meals. They also decrease the amount of glucose (sugar) that is made by the liver.

How is sitagliptin supplied?

Brands and other names

  • Brynovin
  • Januvia
  • Zituvio

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg oral tablets
  • 25 mg/mL oral solution

How should I store sitagliptin?

Oral Tablets. Sitagliptin oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container.

Oral Liquid. Sitagliptin oral liquid should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Throw away the medicine 90 days after you first open the bottle.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of sitagliptin?

The most common side effects of sitagliptin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stuffy/runny nose, sore throat
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of [brand or generic name] that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of sitagliptin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of sitagliptin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sitagliptin can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking sitagliptin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Severe Skin Reactions. Sitagliptin can cause severe skin reactions, called bullous pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Some reactions can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop sitagliptin and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). When sitagliptin is used with other diabetes medicines, it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The doses of your other diabetes medicines may need to be changed when taken with sitagliptin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Sleepiness
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Pale skin
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery
  • Weakness
  • Fast heartbeat

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking sitagliptin. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Severe Joint Pain. Sitagliptin may cause joint pain that can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or increased joint pain while taking this medicine.

Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Sitagliptin may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop taking sitagliptin and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Heart Failure. Sitagliptin may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling of your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use sitagliptin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take sitagliptin.

  • Brynovin
  • Zituvio
  • Januvia
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific sitagliptin products they stock.

What should I know about sitagliptin before using it?

Do not take sitagliptin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share sitagliptin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep sitagliptin out of the reach of children. Since the oral liquid should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of medicine you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.

Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.

If you take the oral liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using sitagliptin?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if sitagliptin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Medical Conditions.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Sitagliptin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using sitagliptin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how sitagliptin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take sitagliptin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if sitagliptin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use sitagliptin while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does sitagliptin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between sitagliptin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect sitagliptin, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of sitagliptin. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.  

Does sitagliptin interact with other medicines?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any other medicines you use for diabetes before using sitagliptin.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with sitagliptin. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much sitagliptin?

If you or someone else has used too much sitagliptin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of sitagliptin?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.