Alogliptin

About

Alogliptin is an oral medicine used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It belongs to a class of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors), which work by increasing the levels of hormones (incretins) that help regulate blood sugar.

It helps the body produce more insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the amount of glucose made by the liver.

Alogliptin is used for:

• Type 2 diabetes (to improve blood sugar control)
• Usually in combination with diet and exercise
• May be used alone or with other diabetes medicines such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin

Alogliptin is usually available in the form of:

• Tablets (6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, and 25 mg)
• Fixed-dose combination tablets (e.g., with metformin or pioglitazone)

How and When to Use It

Take alogliptin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Dosage: The usual adult dose is 25 mg once daily.

It can be taken with or without food, usually at the same time each day.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.

Do not stop taking alogliptin without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well — your blood sugar may rise again.

Continue to follow your recommended diet, exercise, and regular blood sugar monitoring plan.

Contraindications

Alogliptin should not be used if you have:

• Allergy to alogliptin or any other DPP-4 inhibitor
• Type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Severe liver disease
• History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to similar medicines

Side Effects

Like all medicines, alogliptin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects:

• Headache
• Cold-like symptoms (nasopharyngitis)
• Stomach pain or indigestion
• Itching or mild rash

Less common or serious side effects:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) — causes severe abdominal pain
• Allergic reactions (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Liver enzyme changes (rarely hepatitis)
• Heart failure (especially in patients with a history of heart disease)

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Fertility

There is limited experience with alogliptin use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks, as advised by your doctor.

It is not known if alogliptin passes into breast milk.

There is no evidence that alogliptin affects fertility in men or women.

Interactions With Other Medications

Some medications can interact with alogliptin:

• Other diabetes medicines (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas) — may increase risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• Rifampicin and certain anticonvulsants — may reduce its effectiveness
• Medicines that affect the liver or kidneys — may require monitoring or dose adjustment
• Alcohol — may affect blood sugar control

Frequently Asked Questions