Gliptadin Special Precautions

General: Sitagliptin should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Acute pancreatitis: Use of DPP-4 inhibitors has been associated with a risk of developing acute pancreatitis.
Patients should be informed of the characteristic symptom of acute pancreatitis: persistent, severe abdominal pain. Resolution of pancreatitis has been observed after discontinuation of sitagliptin (with or without supportive treatment), but very rare cases of necrotizing or hemorrhagic pancreatitis and/or death have been reported. If pancreatitis is suspected, sitagliptin and other potentially suspect medicinal products should be discontinued; if acute pancreatitis is confirmed, sitagliptin should not be restarted. Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Hypoglycemia when used in combination with other anti-hyperglycemic medicinal products: In clinical trials of sitagliptin as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy with medicinal products not known to cause hypoglycemia (i.e. metformin and/or a PPARγ agonist), rates of hypoglycemia reported with sitagliptin were similar to rates in patients taking placebo.
Hypoglycemia has been observed when sitagliptin was used in combination with insulin or a sulfonylurea. Therefore, to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, a lower dose of sulfonylurea or insulin may be considered.
Renal impairment: Sitagliptin is renally excreted. To achieve plasma concentrations of sitagliptin similar to those in patients with normal renal function, lower dosages are recommended in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment, as well as in ESRD patients requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
When considering the use of sitagliptin in combination with another anti-diabetic medicinal product, its conditions for use in patients with renal impairment should be checked.
Hypersensitivity reactions: Post-marketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with sitagliptin have been reported. These reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first 3 months after initiation of treatment, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, sitagliptin should be discontinued. Other potential causes for the event should be assessed, and alternative treatment for diabetes initiated.
Bullous pemphigoid: There have been post-marketing reports of bullous pemphigoid in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors including sitagliptin. If bullous pemphigoid is suspected, sitagliptin should be discontinued.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: There have been occasional reports of somnolence, impairment of skills, dizziness and visual disturbances with sitagliptin, therefore, caution should be exercised when driving or operating machinery. This effects may be enhanced by alcohol.