Introduction
Sixtin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is used together with a healthy diet and regular exercise to control blood sugar levels. This helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes like kidney damage and blindness.
You should take it regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit, and you should not stop unless your doctor recommends. This medicine is helping you to control your blood sugar levels and prevent serious complications in the future. It is important to stay on the diet and exercise program recommended by your doctor while taking this medicine. Your lifestyle plays a big part in controlling diabetes.
The most common side effect of taking this medicine is headache. This is usually minor and improves with time. Low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) is a possible side effect if you are also taking other diabetes medicines like insulin or sulphonylurea, so you need to know how to recognize and deal with it. It may also cause upper respiratory tract infections like sore throat, cough and cold. Contact your doctor if the side effects worry you or if they do not go away.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, heart or pancreas problems, or if you drink a lot of alcohol. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Some other medicines you are taking may interfere with this medicine's working. So, make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. Limit your alcohol intake while taking this medicine because it can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar levels. You may need regular tests such as kidney function and blood glucose levels to check that the medicine is working properly.
Side effects of Sixtin
Common
- Headache
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
- Urinary tract infection
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) in combination with insulin or sulphonylurea
- Upper respiratory tract infection
How to use Sixtin
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Sixtin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Sixtin works
Sixtin is an antidiabetic medication. It works by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas and decreasing the hormones that raise blood sugar levels. This reduces the fasting and postmeal sugar levels.
What if you forget to take Sixtin?
If you miss a dose of Sixtin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Type 2 diabetes
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Adult: 2.5 or 5 mg once daily.
Combination therapy: May need to reduce dosage of sulfonylurea or other insulin secretagogues when administered in combination
Coadministration with strong CYP450 3A4/5 inhibitors: Not to exceed 2.5 mg PO qDay
Elderly: No dosage adjustment.
Hepatic Impairment No dosage adjustment.
Child Dose
<18 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Renal impairment
CrCl >50 mL/min: No dose adjustment required
CrCl <50 mL/min: Not to exceed 2.5 mg PO qDay
ESRD requiring hemodialysis: Not to exceed 2.5 mg PO qDay administered postdialysis
ESRD requiring peritoneal dialysis: Not studied
Contraindication
Documented hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema, exfoliative skin conditions)
Mode of Action
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibition that results in increased incretin hormones and enhanced glycemic control.
Precaution
Renal impairment
Decrease dose with strong CYP450 3A4/5 inhibitors
Coadministration with thiazolidinediones (eg, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone) increases risk for peripheral edema
Pancreatitis reported with saxagliptin; monitor for signs and symptoms and discontinue if pancreatitis suspected
Serious hypersensitivity reactions with saxagliptin reported (typically within the first 3 months of therapy)
History of angioedema
Coadministration with a sulfonylurea or with insulin may increase hypoglycemia; monitor closely and adjust sulfonylurea and/or insulin dose accordingly
Congestive heart failure (CHF) risks. Observe patients for signs and symptoms of heart failure during therapy;
Lactation: Not known whether distributed in breast milk; caution advised
Side Effect
1-10% (selected)
Urinary tract infection (7%),Headache (7%),Hypersensitivity-related events (<4%; eg, urticaria, facial edema),Peripheral edema (<4%; increased incidence when coadministered with thiazolidinediones),Upper respiratory tract infection (3%),Gastroenteritis (2%),Hypoglycemia (1.6%)
Frequency Not Defined
Increased creatinine phosphokinase,Increased creatinine,Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura rash
Interaction
Strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors (eg ketoconazole, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir & telithromycin).