Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of Onglyza use as follows:
Stomach upset
- Patients taking onglyza can sometimes present with self-limiting symptoms of stomach upset and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid/reduce these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Report to your doctor for further recommendations in the event of these symptoms continuing uncontrolled.
Hypoglycemia
- Normally, incretins stimulate secretion of insulin from the pancreas. The longer incretins stay in circulation, the more the stimulus for insulin secretion.
- Onglyza inhibits the breakdown of incretins and contributes to longer lifespan of incretins. This contributes to longer duration of action of incretins, leading to increase in insulin secretion.
- Increased insulin secretion results in increased shifting of blood glucose into the tissues, which lowers the blood sugars and contributes to improved blood sugar control.
- Extreme lowering of blood sugars and hypoglycemia with onglyza alone is not a common complaint. Hypoglycemia with onglyza can be a serious concern, especially when it is used in combination with other medications for blood sugar control, such as, insulin, glimepiride and glyburide.
- Patients in hypoglycemia can have poor glucose supply to the brain, which is its major source of nutrition. So, poor nutrition supply to brain cells result in severe dizziness, lightheadedness, inability to focus, irritability, headache, and weakness.
- Avoid skipping meals while taking onglyza. Observing compliance with timely nutrition intake and recommended calorie consumption can help prevent development of hypoglycemic episodes.
