The oral prescription medicine Onglyza (saxagliptin) is for type 2 diabetic adults, to control high blood sugar. The Onglyza diabetes drug, when used along with a healthy diet and exercise, is believed to lower A1C, first-in-the-morning and after meals blood sugar levels. It is intended to be taken along with another anti-diabetes medication such as metformin, a sulphonylurea, or a thiazolidinedione. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Onglyza diabetes medication is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, which helps the pancreas release insulin, lowering blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause symptoms such as increased urination and blurry vision, and may eventually lead to vision problems and kidney disease.
Diabetes and Onglyza: A Safe Alternative to Januvia?
Some of the more common side effects for Onglyza include upper respiratory infection, headache, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting and urinary tract infection. One may also experience allergic reactions such as hives and rashes. When taken along with Metformin, there may also be muscle pain, gastritis, or indigestion. When used with a glitazone drug, there may be fluid retention in the legs and ankles, causing swelling. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) has been reported, especially in those who combined it with glibenclamide (a sulphonylurea medicine). Onglyza is not to be used by those with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Caution should be taken by those with liver or kidney problems, people who have had heart failure and elderly patients over 75 years of age. Just before Onglyza was approved, another DPP-4 inhibitor, alogliptin, failed to get FDA approval due to concerns about the possibility of heart risks. Patients with compromised immune systems should be careful about taking Onglyza. Both Januvia (another DPP-4 inhibitor) and the Onglyza diabetes drug may cause a runny nose and headaches, due to their immune system suppression. There is also concern about the blocking action of DPP-4, as it is not entirely known what other roles that gene plays in the immune system. Studies have shown that 1 in 100 people using Onglyza diabetes medication had a reduction of white blood cell levels (as stated in its own documentation).
Onglyza for Diabetes: Other Alternatives to DPP-4 Inhibitors
With all diabetic medications, a healthy diet and exercise is a vital part of all treatment plans. First make those important lifestyle changes, and only then, if you and your doctor determine that more is needed, should you consider taking these medications. None of these drugs are completely free of health risks, and this includes Onglyza. Diabetes symptoms may be easily addressed by cutting out fats, processed foods and harmful sugars from your diet, and replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and healthy omega-3 and olive oils. Regular exercise and stopping bad habits such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption will go a long way in balancing blood sugar levels and controlling your diabetes.
