Prescription Required
Description
Onglyza is an oral tablet made up of a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors called saxagliptin. We carry the brand choice of this medication in 2.5mg and 5mg!
Onglyza is used to help control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes type 2 and is commonly used along with proper diet and exercise. Controlling high blood sugar is important as if it goes untreated for too long, you may end up with kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Onglyza does not only help to prevent these conditions, but will also lessen the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Onglyza (saxagliptin) is effective at controlling blood sugar levels because of its ability to increase levels of natural incretins, which help control blood sugar by increasing insulin release, especially after a meal. Onglyza (saxagliptin) also helps by decreasing the amount of sugar your liver produces.
Directions
Before taking your prescribed medication read all the instructions that was provided by your pharmacist. Take Onglyza orally once a day. This medication can be taken with or without food. Make sure you take Onglyza at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of medication in your system.
This medication should be taken on a regular basis to have optimal results. Do not change or increase your dose. Do not break apart or score this medication. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
Cautions
Do not use Onglyza (saxagliptin)
If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to saxagliptin; do not use this medication, speak to your doctor about an alternative medication.
If you have diabetes type 1; this medication will not be effective in treating your condition.
You should not use Onglyza if you are under the age of 18 years old.
Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required
Before using Onglyza, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (unless you are on dialysis), heart disease, pancreatitis, gallstones, high triglycerides, or a history of alcoholism.
Risks
Follow your doctors instructions very closely if you are pregnant. Controlling blood sugar is important, especially during pregnancy. Your dose may need to be changes during this time; this applies to those who are breast feeding; it is not known if this drug passes into breast milk; consult your doctor.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Onglyza (saxagliptin) may include:
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or headache.
The above side effects should not alarm you.
Serious side effects of Onglyza (saxagliptin) may include:
severe or ongoing pain in your joints; or pain or burning when you urinate;
If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.
Contact your doctor if you notice signs of…
heart problems - shortness of breath (even while lying down), feeling weak or tired, rapid weight gain, swelling (especially in your feet, legs, or midsection.
FAQs
What is Onglyza?
Onglyza, known generically as Saxagliptin, is a brand-name prescription medication that was first approved in 2009. Saxagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor and is the active ingredient that makes up Onglyza; it is what makes the medication therapeutically effective. Each Onglyza tablet contains a fixed amount of Saxagliptin; either 2.5mg or 5mg. It is taken by mouth, undergoes hepatic metabolism, and is then primarily excreted through urination but partly through bile as well, with a short half-life of 2.5 hours. There is no generic alternative for this medication yet, but the brand-name medication can be purchased at My Drug Center for a low cost. To order through My Drug Center, all you need is a valid prescription, at which point you can call our toll free number (1-877-835-8998) to place an order.
What is Onglyza used for?
Onglyza is prescribed to help control blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes, a life-long chronic condition affecting approximately 34 million Americans. When a person has type 2 diabetes, it affects the way their body metabolizes sugar, known medically as glucose. Glucose metabolism is an important and necessary function for humans to live, as it provides your body with fuel (energy) for brain function as well as other organs and their functions. Many tissues can also use fat or protein for energy, but others – such as the brain or red blood cells – can only use glucose for energy, hence why glucose metabolism is so important. Insulin is a hormone in our body which converts the glucose from your diet into energy (or to store it for future use) and keeps blood sugar levels balance; insulin is created in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t know how to properly use insulin or does not produce a sufficient amount of it, which results in high blood sugar levels. Having high blood sugar causes symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and stomach pain; there are various symptoms that can occur. Leaving high blood sugar untreated for too long can result in kidney damage leading to dialysis, eye damage leading to blindness, and an increase risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Using Onglyza can help maintain proper blood sugar levels to help to prevent symptoms and further complications of type 2 diabetes.
Who makes Onglyza?
Onglyza was solely developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) in the early phases of development. In 2007, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb decided to work together to co-develop the final product and collaborate on the marketing of the new medication with one another.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is an American pharmaceutical company that was founded over a century ago, in 1887. The company manufactures medications in several therapeutic areas, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and has developed many popular products used today, such as Coumadin (warfarin) and Pravachol (pravastatin).
AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It is a much newer company compared to Bristol-Myers Squibb as it was founded in 1999. It was founded when Astra AB and Zeneca Group (two separate pharmaceutical companies) merged together. The company began to grow quickly and has since become one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. They have also developed many popular products, such as Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) and Farxiga/Forxiga (dapagliflozin).
These two companies also co-market Kombiglyze XR/Komboglyze (saxagliptin/metformin extended release) together, another diabetes medication.
How much does Onglyza cost?
The cost of medications will often vary depending on where you purchase your supply. In the United States, the price of Onglyza varies slightly between each pharmacy. However, when you compare those local prices to international prices for Onglyza, the difference is much more significant. Internationally, many medications – including Onglyza – are marketed for more reasonable prices and can be purchased from the comfort of your own home through My Drug Center. My Drug Center offers you Saxagliptin as Onglyza for $145.00 when you buy a supply of 84 tablets. This price is about 10 times cheaper than the average retail cost for the same supply across United States pharmacies. You can place an order by calling our toll free number of 1-877-385-8998; keep in mind, you will require a valid prescription.
How to take Onglyza?
You should use Onglyza exactly the way your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not take more or less of a dose than prescribed or for longer than suggested. Below is the most common dosing regimen for Onglyza; keep in mind, your dosing regimen may be different than what is listed here.
Take your dose by swallowing the tablet whole without chewing or crushing. To help flush it down, follow your dose with a large glass of water. You can also take your dose with a meal unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Patients are usually required to take only one dose per day, and depending on your personal factors (such as kidney function), you may be directed to take the 2.5mg or 5mg. This medication is sometimes prescribed alongside other medications to help boost efficacy; ensure you are taking all prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. If you are still unsure, or have additional questions, speak with your healthcare professional.
How Onglyza works?
Onglyza contains Saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, which are drugs that are able to regulate and increase the amount of insulin your body creates after eating which in turn lowers the amount of glucose in the blood. DPP-4 is an enzyme in the body that breaks down hormones known as incretin hormones. Incretin hormones are responsible for the stimulation of insulin secretion when a meal is eaten. The hormones are dispersed into the blood minutes after eating and travel through circulation to the pancreas where they stimulate the pancreatic cells to produce more insulin. Going back to the DPP-4 enzyme, which breaks down the Incretin hormones; by inhibiting this enzyme, Onglyza is able to slow the breakdown of incretin hormones which increases the total amount found in the body. This increase of incretin hormones results in an increase of insulin production, and with more insulin production is lower blood sugar levels.
What are the side effects of Onglyza?
Some commonly reported side effects of Onglyza include headache, sore throat, cough, or runny or stuffy nose. Though these are the most common, there are many other side effects which may occur. Most side effects should not alarm you as they are a normal response of the body when taking a new medication. You may also be able to ask your health care professional for ways to combat your side effects. For example, you may be able to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) to help with a headache. Be sure to speak with your doctor before trying to alleviate your side effects on your own. If your side effects do not subside over time or become worse, you should consult with your doctor.
Need Help?
Call Our CareTeam
Our CareTeam Member will guide you to complete your order