Zituvio (Sitagliptin) for Diabetes

Overview

Zituvio is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is prescribed as an adjunct (add-on) to diet and exercise to help improve blood glucose (sugar) control in adults. Zituvio is also known by its drug name, sitagliptin.

Zituvio is part of a class of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. These drugs work by increasing the levels of hormones called incretins, which help regulate blood glucose by increasing insulin release after meals and decreasing the amount of sugar made by the liver.

How do I take it?

Prescribing information states that Zituvio is taken by mouth once daily and can be taken with or without food. The standard recommended dose is once daily. For individuals with reduced kidney function, the dosage must be adjusted. Zituvio should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects

Common side effects of Zituvio include upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis (common cold symptoms), and headache. People taking Zituvio along with sulfonylurea drugs or insulin may also have an increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Rare but serious side effects may include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), heart failure, acute renal failure (sudden kidney failure), and serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema (swelling of the deeper layers of the skin). Other serious side effects include exfoliative skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, severe joint pain (arthralgia), and bullous pemphigoid (a skin condition that causes large, fluid-filled blisters).

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Label: Zituvio — Sitagliptin Tablet — DailyMed