xelevia

[suzy2002]

Is anyone on this medication? Was given it as 100mg sitagliptin by diabetic nurse as metformin isn't agreeing with me. Was told to take one once a day but carry on with metformin for three months and repeat meds.

Started taking it today, took xelevia and 1 metformin, normally on two at breakfast. At dinner took one metformin. Straight after dinner felt rough n did bloods 3.6. Had sugar drink etc went to 7.2. Then felt really ill 1.6. Now gone other way and 13.6. I don't feel right.

Hate changing meds as tried another tab couple months ago and bloods kept dropping to 1.9. My levels never been under control normally run 10/11 I never had any symptoms and was found out on routine blood test when i turned 40.

It's scarey when levels drop so low and I'm beginning to think what's the point of taking any medication.

Advice please

 

[Oldvatr]

I took this as Januvia, and was also on Metformin as co-medication. It did nothing to my bgl, so I stopped it
Can I share a link to the Januvia,com website since there are some associated risks with this medication family.
http://www.januvia.com/sitagliptin/januvia/consumer/about-januvia/metformin.xhtml

Looking at the drugs.com website, they say that Sitagliptin should not cause low bgl, and neither should Metformin. I think you are seeing effects that are uncharacteristic of these medications, so I would strongly advise that you seek professional advice from either your GP or a pharmacist.

 

[suzy2002]

Just seen that this med and metformin together most common side effect is low blood sugar, now have to go back to see nurse. She not back till next week. Think will just stick to metformin till I get to see her. Thanks for your help

 

[Oldvatr]

The support site for Xelevia itself states:

Xelevia has no known influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, when driving or

operating 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 Xelevia is used in

combination with sulphonylurea agents or with insulin.

No danger when driving implies that hypos should NOT occur when properly prescribed. i.e. no co-medication with another hypoglycemic that could cause hypo (i.e. is ok with Metformin)

Are you taking any other supplements? Are you on a Low Carb diet such as Atkins. ot LCHF? I take it you are controllling your diabetes by oral meds + diet but what is your actual diagnosis - Type 2?

Since this medication comed in 25mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tabs There is scope to get the dose changed and maybe 100 mg is too high for initiation.

 

[Oldvatr]

Just seen that this med and metformin together most common side effect is low blood sugar, now have to go back to see nurse. She not back till next week. Think will just stick to metformin till I get to see her. Thanks for your help

Where did you find this? i looked up a large trial specifically on Januvia +metformin, and there were no recorded incidences of hypo. during the 2 years of the trial. Admittedly it was a trial paid for by the makers of Januvia, so may be biassed. However, sticking to Metformin alone until its sorted is sensible.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Sitagliptin doesn't normally cause abnormally low blood sugar as it stops working when blood sugar drops to normal. Metformin also doesn't cause low blood sugar. So, something must be causing the low blood sugar so you may be an exception.

 

[suzy2002]

Where did you find this? i looked up a large trial specifically on Januvia +metformin, and there were no recorded incidences of hypo. during the 2 years of the trial. Admittedly it was a trial paid for by the makers of Januvia, so may be biassed. However, sticking to Metformin alone until its sorted is sensible.

On the leaflet that comes with the medication

 

[suzy2002]

Hi. Sitagliptin doesn't normally cause abnormally low blood sugar as it stops working when blood sugar drops to normal. Metformin also doesn't cause low blood sugar. So, something must be causing the low blood sugar so you may be an exception.

Don't think I like being an exception, the medication sheet that came with meds says common side effect low blood sugar when taken with metformin.

 

[suzy2002]

The support site for Xelevia itself states:

Xelevia has no known influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, when driving or

operating 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 Xelevia is used in

combination with sulphonylurea agents or with insulin.

No danger when driving implies that hypos should NOT occur when properly prescribed. i.e. no co-medication with another hypoglycemic that could cause hypo (i.e. is ok with Metformin)

Are you taking any other supplements? Are you on a Low Carb diet such as Atkins. ot LCHF? I take it you are controllling your diabetes by oral meds + diet but what is your actual diagnosis - Type 2?

Since this medication comed in 25mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tabs There is scope to get the dose changed and maybe 100 mg is too high for initiation.

I'm type two. On no other medication n I'm vegetarian. Am trying to lose weight but aren't we all

 

[Oldvatr]

On the leaflet that comes with the medication

I am worried that this information in this form appears only in packet leaflet from the manufacturer. There is no real indications that the drug does cause hypo's since if it does, then anyone taking it should be made aware of the DVLA regulations and advised accordingly about what actions to take. I have even checked the US and EU licencing and prescribing data given to the medics, and both guidelines are identical in this respect, namely
<<
Hypoglycaemia when used in combination with other anti-hyperglycaemic
medicinal products
In clinical trials of Januvia as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy with medicinal
products not known to cause hypoglycaemia (i.e. metformin and/or a PPAR agonist), rates of
hypoglycaemia reported with sitagliptin were similar to rates in patients taking placebo.
Hypoglycaemia has been observed when sitagliptin was used in combination with insulin or a
sulphonylurea. >>
In other words, it is a rare reaction. I think the leaftlet in the box is probably trying to say that the drug acts to lower the bgl, which is not quite the same as saying that lows are the norm. I have seen them make an advertising claim that when combined with metformin then most patients achieve levels of 7%, but this is above hypo territory,and it is known this family of drugs is self regulating so should not go much lower than 7%. I hope your DCN is able to advise you properly with this medication. When the list of contraindications exceeds one page, then I worry.