Glytec 50mg Tablets

Sitagliptin helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors. It helps the body release more insulin when blood sugar is high.

It can be used alone or added to other diabetes medicines, such as metformin or insulin, when they have not controlled blood sugar well enough. It is not used for type 1 diabetes.

Take sitagliptin exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day at the same time.

• You can take it with or without food.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush or chew it.
• Keep taking it even if you feel well, and keep following your diet and exercise plan.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless your next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Never take two doses together.
• Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• low blood sugar (hypo) when taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea such as gliclazide: shaking, sweating, hunger, dizziness or tiredness

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• severe tummy pain that does not go away and may spread to your back, with or without being sick (possible pancreatitis)
• swelling of the face, lips, throat, hands or feet, a raised itchy rash, or difficulty breathing
• blistering or peeling skin, or mouth ulcers with a rash
• severe joint pain
• breathlessness, swollen ankles or rapid weight gain

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to sitagliptin or a similar medicine
• have had pancreatitis or gallstones, or drink a lot of alcohol
• have kidney or liver problems
• have heart failure
• take insulin, gliclazide or other diabetes medicines, or digoxin
• are pregnant, might be pregnant or are breastfeeding (it is not usually used)

Store tablets at room temperature in the original container, away from heat and moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Pancreatitis: stop taking it and get urgent help if you have severe, lasting tummy pain.

Low blood sugar: know the signs of a hypo and keep something sugary with you, especially if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea. Do not drive if you feel dizzy, shaky or have blurred vision.

Alcohol: it is best to avoid alcohol, as it affects blood sugar.

Pregnancy: tell your doctor if you are pregnant; they may switch you to another medicine.