What is Alogliptin medicine uses, side effects & precaution

What is Alogliptin medicine uses, side effects & precaution?

Why is Alogliptin medication prescribed?

Alogliptin is used in a condition in which blood sugar is too high, it helps to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes with a proper diet and exercise program. This condition rises in your body because your body does not produce or use insulin normally and also helps in preventing blindness, nerve problems, sexual function problems, kidney damage, and loss of limbs by controlling the high blood sugar. It comes under the class of medications known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. To control blood sugar in your body it increases the amount of insulin.

It also increases the levels of natural substances called incretins. If you are taking this medication then it will change your lifestyle like you have to check your blood sugar regularly that will help you to manage your diabetes and improve your health, you have to quit smoking while you are taking this medication or follow the diet, and exercise plans properly. While you are taking the regular treatment with this medication you may decrease your chances of having a heart attack, changes or loss of vision, or gum disease, kidney failure, sexual ability, and nerve damage.

How should Alogliptin be used?

Alogliptin available as a tablet form to take by mouth. Always take this medication at the same time each and every day. You can take this medication with or without food once a day and remember that you have to follow all the directions on your prescription label carefully, and use this medication exactly as directed by your health care professionals. 

The dosage of alogliptin medication totally depends upon your medical condition and response to treatment. If you want to benefit most from this medication then take this medication regularly at the same time each day. Follow the medications, diet, and exercise, and diabetes management plan very carefully.

If anything that you don’t understand asks your health care professionals to explain. Alogliptin does not cure diabetes only helps in controlling it. So, don’t try to use this medication more or less often than prescribed by your health care professionals. If your symptoms do not improve after using this medication and getting worse or during your treatment with alogliptin medication then talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep the track record of your blood sugar and as directed by your health care professionals check your blood sugar regularly and show them at every meeting. In case, if your blood sugar measurements are often too high or too low, tell your health care professionals he/she needs to  adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Other uses of Alogliptin

Ask your health care professional for more information because alogliptin is also prescribed for other uses.

What special dietary plans should I follow?

Always follow your dietary recommendations and exercise plan made by your health care professional. And ask your doctor for instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity and try to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight if necessary. It will help you alot to control your diabetes. Or if your doctor didn’t give you any instructions, you can continue your normal diet. 

What are side effects of Alogliptin medication?

Alogliptin medication can cause changes in your blood sugar. Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest alogliptin medication by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. You should have to know the side effects and symptoms of this medication before taking this. 

Don’t use alogliptin medication for a longer time period than prescribed, but in case, If you’re using alogliptin medication for prolonged or repeated long periods then it may result in some serious side effects. If you notice or feel any of the new or worsening symptoms or side effects then tell your health care professionals.

Some common side effects of alogliptin medication:

If you experience any of these common side effects or symptoms and do not go away, then stop taking or using alogliptin medication and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel a sore throat.
  • You’ll feel unusual skin blisters.
  • You’ll start feeling signs of heart failure like shortness of breath, especially when lying down, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain.
  • You’ll feel a headache.
  • You’ll feel stuffy or runny noses.
  • You’ll feel joint pain.

Some serious side effects of alogliptin medication:

If you experience any of these serious side effects or symptoms and do not go away, then stop taking or using alogliptin medication and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel rash, itching, swelling especially of the face, tongue, throat.
  • You’ll start feeling sudden back pain.
  • You’ll feel the yellowing of the skin or eyes.
  • You’ll feel fever.
  • You’ll feel excessive tiredness.
  • You’ll feel a loss of appetite.
  • You’ll feel pain in the right upper area of the stomach.
  • You’ll feel hoarseness
  • You’ll feel difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • You’ll start severing stomach pain that may move to your back
  • You’ll feel vomiting.
  • You’ll feel dark urine.
  • You’ll feel skin peeling.
  • You’ll feel hives.

It can also cause other side effects and if you have any unusual problems apart from these while using alogliptin medication then immediately contact your health care professionals because this is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of alogliptin medication.

What special precautions could I take?

You should have followed this special precaution before using alogliptin medication:

  • If you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and have ever had pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease, gallstones, or heart failure then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are having surgery including dental surgery while you are taking the alogliptin medication  then tell your doctor and dentist
  • If you get hurt or if you develop a fever or infection, these conditions can affect your blood sugar then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have any medical history like kidney disease, heart failure, liver problems, disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), stones in your gallbladder, or are allergic to alogliptin or any other medications then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products, or planning to take while you are taking the alogliptin medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while using the alogliptin medication. If you become pregnant while taking alogliptin medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are allergic to alogliptin or other DPP-4 inhibitors including linagliptin, sitagliptin (Januvia, in Janumet); any other medications such as istradefylline, or any of the ingredients in alogliptin tablets then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • Don’t ever try to drive a car because this drug may make your vision may be blurred, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar or not operate any machinery until you see clearly.

Follow all the mentioned precautions carefully, these are all precautions that you can take while using the alogliptin. If you have experienced or faced any of the problems mentioned above then contact your health care professionals immediately.

What can I do after I forget a dose?

If you forgot to take alogliptin medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double and it would be harmful to you.

Alyas remember that when you start to take alogliptin medication, always remember to write down all of the instructions that your healthcare professionals tell you when you ask a question.

What happens if I overdose?

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have experienced any of the following symptoms or side effects immediately. Some of the symptoms or side effects can occur because of an overdose of alogliptin medication.

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted. And ensure to get the proper treatment in an emergency and always wear a diabetic identification bracelet.

It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and non-prescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all time. It would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list. It’s important to your doctor.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. And every time when you meet your pharmacist or doctor asks them any of the questions you have about refilling your prescription.


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