Why is this medicine prescribed?
Alogliptin is used to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally). Alogliptin is in a class of medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of insulin in the body to control blood sugar.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Alogliptin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with or without food once a day. Take alogliptin at around the same time every day.
Take alogliptin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Alogliptin controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take alogliptin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking alogliptin without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking alogliptin,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking alogliptin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), gallstones, heart failure, type 1 diabetes mellitus (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood), or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking alogliptin, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have fever, infection, injury, or illness with vomiting or diarrhea. These may affect your blood sugar level.
- you should know alcohol may cause a change in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking alogliptin.
- you should know this medication may cause low blood sugar events especially if it is being used in combination with other blood sugar lowering medications. You should know the symptoms of low blood sugar (shakiness, nervousness, sweating, chills irritability, confusion, fast heart beat, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hunger, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or feeling weak). If you have these symptoms, consume about 15 grams of carbs [ex. half cup of juice or regular soda] every 15 minutes until your blood sugar has returned to normal.
- if you are having surgery including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking alogliptin.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight if necessary.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Alogliptin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- stuffy or runny nose
- sore throat
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking alogliptin and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- severe stomach pain that may move to your back, vomiting
- loss of appetite,pain in the right upper area of the stomach, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, light colored stool,
- hives; rash; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; or swelling of your face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
- unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, especially when lying down, swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, sudden weight gain
- fluid filled blisters, itching, rash, skin peeling, fever, skin changes
- severe joint pain
- shakiness, nervousness, sweating, chills irritability, confusion, fast heart beat, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hunger, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or feeling weak
- extreme confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures
Alogliptin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information. Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.orgWhat other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will probably order certain laboratory tests to check your body's response to alogliptin. Your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should be checked regularly to determine your response to alogliptin. Your doctor may also tell you how to check your response to alogliptin by measuring your blood or urine sugar levels at home. Follow these directions carefully.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking alogliptin.
You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.