Reditn Special Precautions

Pancreatitis: There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, in patients taking sitagliptin. After initiation of sitagliptin, patients should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, sitagliptin should promptly be discontinued and appropriate management should be initiated. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis while using sitagliptin.
Heart Failure: An association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor treatment and heart failure has been observed in cardiovascular outcomes trials for two other members of the DPP-4 inhibitor class. These trials evaluated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Consider the risks and benefits of sitagliptin prior to initiating treatment in patients at risk for heart failure, such as those with a prior history of heart failure and a history of renal impairment, and observe these patients for signs and symptoms of heart failure during therapy. Advise patients of the characteristic symptoms of heart failure and to immediately report such symptoms. If heart failure develops, evaluate and manage according to current standards of care and consider discontinuation of sitagliptin.
Assessment of Renal Function: Assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiating sitagliptin and periodically thereafter. A dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment and in patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Caution should be used to ensure that the correct dose of Sitagliptin is prescribed for patients with moderate (eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m² to <45 mL/min/1.73 m²) or severe (eGFR ≥15 mL/min/1.73 m² to <30 mL/min/1.73 m²) renal impairment.
There have been postmarketing reports of worsening renal function, including acute renal failure, sometimes requiring dialysis. A subset of these reports involved patients with renal impairment, some of whom were prescribed inappropriate doses of sitagliptin. A return to baseline levels of renal impairment has been observed with supportive treatment and discontinuation of potentially causative agents. Consideration can be given to cautiously reinitiating Sitagliptin if another etiology is deemed likely to have precipitated the acute worsening of renal function.
Sitagliptin has not been found to be nephrotoxic in preclinical studies at clinically relevant doses, or in clinical trials.
Use with Medications Known To Cause Hypoglycemia: When sitagliptin was used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin, medications known to cause hypoglycemia, the incidence of hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin. Therefore, a lower dose of sulfonylurea or insulin may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with sitagliptin. 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 sitagliptin, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue sitagliptin, assess for other potential causes for the event, and institute alternative treatment for diabetes.
Angioedema has also been reported with other DPP-4 inhibitors. Use caution in a patient with a history of angioedema with another DPP-4 inhibitor because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to angioedema with sitagliptin.
Severe and Disabling Arthralgia: There have been postmarketing reports of severe and disabling arthralgia in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. The time to onset of symptoms following initiation of drug therapy varied from one day to years. Patients experienced relief of symptoms upon discontinuation of the medication. A subset of patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms when restarting the same drug or a different DPP-4 inhibitor. Consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause for severe joint pain and discontinue drug if appropriate.
Concomitant Therapy with Hypoglycemic Agents: Greater incidence of hypoglycemia when sitagliptin used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin. May require lower dosage of concomitant insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin to reduce risk of hypoglycemia.
Loss of Glycemic Control: Possible loss of glycemic control during periods of stress (e.g., fever, trauma, infection, surgery). Temporary discontinuance of sitagliptin and administration of insulin may be required. May reinstitute sitagliptin therapy after acute episode of hyperglycemia has resolved.
Bullous Pemphigoid: Postmarketing cases of bullous pemphigoid requiring hospitalization have been reported with DPP-4 inhibitor use. In reported cases, patients typically recovered with topical or systemic immunosuppressive treatment and discontinuation of the DPP-4 inhibitor. Tell patients to report development of blisters or erosions while receiving sitagliptin. If bullous pemphigoid is suspected, sitagliptin should be discontinued and referral to a dermatologist should be considered for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Macrovascular Outcomes: There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with sitagliptin.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Sitagliptin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, when driving or using machines, it should be taken into account that dizziness and somnolence have been reported.
In addition, patients should be alerted to the risk of hypoglycaemia when sitagliptin is used in combination with a sulphonylurea or with insulin.