saxagliptin

Onglyza · ATC code A10BH03

Also known as: Saksagliptin

Key facts
Active substance
saxagliptin
Drug class
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors
ATC code
A10BH03
Authorisation
centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
Dosage forms
Onglyza 2.5 mg film-coated tablets / Onglyza 5 mg film-coated tablets
Marketing authorisation holder
AstraZeneca AB
Information as of
2026-10-28

Key facts

Saxagliptin (Onglyza) is a DPP-4 inhibitor that improves glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

What it is used for

  • Type 2 diabetes in adults as an adjunct to diet and exercise: as monotherapy when metformin is inappropriate, or in combination with other diabetes medicines including insulin when these are inadequate.

Dosing

  • 5 mg once daily, with or without a meal at any time of day; tablets must not be split.
  • Moderate renal impairment with GFR < 45 mL/min and severe renal impairment: 2.5 mg once daily; not recommended with haemodialysis. Renal function should be checked before starting and periodically.
  • With insulin or a sulphonylurea, a lower dose of these may be needed to reduce hypoglycaemia.
  • No adjustment in mild or moderate hepatic impairment (caution in moderate); not recommended in severe.
  • A missed dose should be taken when remembered, but not a double dose on the same day; not recommended in children and adolescents.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient, or history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis, angioedema) to any DPP4 inhibitor.

Important warnings

  • Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis; not a substitute for insulin.
  • Acute pancreatitis: discontinue with persistent severe abdominal pain and do not restart if confirmed.
  • Bullous pemphigoid and skin disorders can occur; discontinue if blisters develop.
  • Heart failure: consider risk factors; symptoms should be reported immediately.
  • Joint pain, sometimes severe, has been reported with DPP4 inhibitors.

Side effects

  • Most common: upper respiratory tract infection (7.7%), urinary tract infection (6.8%) and headache (6.5%).
  • Others: rash, hypoglycaemia in combination with insulin or sulphonylureas; uncommon: hypersensitivity reactions and pancreatitis; rare: anaphylactic reactions including anaphylactic shock.

Interactions

  • Potent CYP3A4/5 inhibitors increase saxagliptin exposure (ketoconazole: AUC 2.5-fold).
  • CYP3A4/5 inducers (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) may lower levels; glycaemic control should be assessed carefully.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
  • During breast-feeding, a decision between stopping breast-feeding and stopping therapy is required.

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Package leaflet, verbatim

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

EU – centrally authorised (all member states)

  • OnglyzaAstraZeneca AB · EMEA/H/C/001039

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information

Turkey

  • OnglyzaASTRAZENECA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 8 more European countries
France
Saxagliptine Arrow, Saxagliptine Biogaran
Hungary
Saxagliptin Pharos
Iceland
Onglyza
Liechtenstein
Onglyza
Malta
Saxagliptin Pharos
Netherlands
Saxagliptine Sandoz
Norway
Onglyza
Portugal
Saxagliptina Generis

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. European Medicines Agency. Onglyza – EPAR, Product Information. 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/onglyza-epar-product-information_en.pdf
  2. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  3. Wikidata (CC0): ATC A10BH.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-28 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.