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Alogliptin

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Nesina

    • Antidiabetics, Dipeptyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitors

    Oral DPP-4 inhibitor given once daily; reduces breakdown of GLP-1 which increases insulin secretion
    Used for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults; mean A1C reduction 0.4 to 0.6%
    Used as monotherapy or in combination with other hypoglycemic agents including insulin, but not GLP-1 agonists

    Indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

    Hypersensitivity to alogliptin, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, or severe cutaneous adverse reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome

    • Hypoglycemia (1.5-35%); higher when added to insulin
    • Nasopharyngitis (4.4%)
    • Headache (4.2%)
    • Upper respiratory tract infection (4.2%)
    • <1%
    • Hypersensitivity (0.6%)
    • Pancreatitis (0.2%)
    • Severe and disabling arthralgia
    • Anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria
    • Severe cutaneous adverse reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
    • Hepatic enzyme elevations
    • Fulminant hepatic failure
    • Bullous pemphigoid
    • Rhabdomyolysis
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Ileus
    • Tubulointerstitial nephritis

    Pancreatitis reported; if pancreatitis suspected, discontinue therapy and initiate appropriate management

    Caution with sensitivity to another DPP-4 inhibitor; discontinue if serious hypersensitivity reaction suspected (see Contraindications)

    Postmarketing cases of bullous pemphigoid requiring hospitalization reported with DPP-4 inhibitor use; patients typically recovered with topical or systemic immunosuppressive treatment and discontinuation of DPP-4 inhibitor; tell patients to report development of blisters or erosions while receiving therapy; if bullous pemphigoid suspected, therapy should be discontinued and referral to a dermatologist considered for diagnosis and appropriate treatment

    Fatal and nonfatal hepatic failure reported; type 2 DM is also known to cause fatty liver disease and liver enzyme elevation; monitor carefully and interrupt alogliptin treatment if LFTs elevated, do not restart alogliptin without another explanation for the liver test abnormalities; do not restart therapy if liver injury is confirmed and no alternative etiology can be found

    Insulin and insulin secretagogues (eg, sulfonylureas) are known to cause hypoglycemia; therefore, a lower dose of insulin of insulin secretagogue may be needed to minimize hypoglycemia risk

    There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with alogliptin or any other antidiabetic drug

    DPP-4 inhibitors may cause disabling joint arthralgia; resolves within a month upon discontinuing the drug

    Pregnancy Category: B

    Lactation: Unknown whether distributed in breast milk

    Adults

    25 mg/day PO.

    Geriatric

    25 mg/day PO.

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Not indicated.

    Neonates

    Not indicated.

    Alogliptin

    tablet

    • 6.25mg
    • 12.5mg
    • 25mg