Sitagliptin

Key points

• Kidney function affects sitagliptin exposure and treatment selection.
• Low blood glucose risk rises when it is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
• Severe persistent abdominal pain, facial swelling or a blistering skin reaction needs urgent care.

Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.

How it works

Sitagliptin blocks DPP-4, prolonging incretin activity so insulin release increases and glucagon decreases when glucose is elevated.

Important safety checks

Kidney function, pancreatitis history, heart-failure symptoms, pregnancy and other diabetes medicines require review. Report severe joint pain or a new tense blistering rash. Follow the diabetes sick-day and glucose-monitoring plan.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent help for severe persistent upper-abdominal pain with or without vomiting, facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty, extensive blistering skin, severe confusion, loss of consciousness or a seizure from low blood glucose.

Further reading

• Sitagliptin: MedlinePlus Drug Information
• Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) Inhibitors - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf