Steglujan

What is Steglujan?

Steglujan is a combination of ertugliflozin and sitagliptin. Ertugliflozin helps control blood sugar. Ertugliflozin helps the kidneys remove glucose from your bloodstream. Sitagliptin regulates the insulin levels your body produces following a meal. Steglujan can be used in conjunction with diet and exercise for adults with type II diabetes mellitus to help control blood sugar levels. Steglujan does not treat diabetes type 1.

Warnings

Steglujan should not be used if your kidneys are severely damaged, you're on dialysis, or you have diabetic ketoacidosis. You may feel dizzy or weak (especially if you stand up) if you take this medicine. If you experience any of the following pancreatitis symptoms: severe abdominal pain that spreads to your back with or without vomiting and nausea, stop taking Steglujan immediately and contact your doctor.

This medicine may cause severe infections of the vagina or penis in rare cases. Seek medical attention immediately if there is any burning, itching, or discharge, pain or tenderness around the genital area or the rectal region, swelling or redness, fever, or you feel unwell.

Before you take this drug

Steglujan should not be used if:

• If you have severe kidney problems or end-stage renal disease, dialysis may be necessary.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Steglujan will be safe for you:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis;
• Liver or kidney disease
• Bladder inflammation, or urination issues;
• Pancreas problems, including surgery
• A diabetic ulcer, or an amputation.
• High or low blood pressure?
• Blood circulation problems in the legs, particularly
• Nerve damage in your legs;
• Gallstones;
• High triglycerides
• Alcoholism;
• Type 1 diabetes
• If you're eating less or if your diet has changed, you may be on a salt-reduced diet.

If you are pregnant, follow your doctor's advice about how to use Steglujan.

Do not take Steglujan in the second or third trimester. This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding. Steglujan should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.

Similar/related drugs

Metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Victoza, Tresiba, and Levemir

How to take Steglujan?

Steglujan should be taken in the morning. Be sure to read and follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose. Steglujan can be taken with or without food. If you have diarrhea or nausea, call your doctor. Inform your doctor of any planned surgeries. You will have to check your blood sugar often and may need to test for ketones in your urine. Ertugliflozin may cause ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening (too much blood acid). If your blood sugar level is normal but a urine test shows ketones, you should contact your doctor.

If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel very hungry or dizzy. You might also be confused, anxious, or shaky. If you want to treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink something that will provide sugar quickly (such as fruit juices, hard candies, crackers or raisins). If you suffer from severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe an injection kit. Make sure that the members of your family and friends understand how to administer this injection. Watch for signs of hyperglycemia, such as increased thirst and urination.

Stress can affect blood sugar levels. Other factors that may influence blood sugar include illness, surgery, or alcohol consumption. Before altering the dosage or schedule of your medication, consult with your healthcare provider first. Steglujan can produce unusual results in certain laboratory tests. Inform any doctor that you see about Steglujan. Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Keep the original foil blister pack with the unused tablet.

Details on dosage

Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:

Initial dose: Orally, 1 tablet of ertugliflozin (5 mg/sitagliptin) once daily.
For patients who tolerate the therapy well and require additional glycemic management, you may increase your dose to one tablet of ertugliflozin (15 mg/sitagliptin) taken orally once daily.
Maximum dose: ertugliflozin 15 mg/sitagliptin 100 mg per day
Patients already taking ertugliflozin should switch to a combination product at the same dose.
Comments:
Before starting therapy, it is important to correct the volume depletion.
This drug is not recommended to treat diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes.
This drug has not yet been studied in patients who have a history of pancreatitis. It is unknown if this could increase the risk that pancreatitis will develop during treatment.
Use: As an adjunct to diet and physical activity to improve glycemic management in adults with type 2 diabetes when both Steglujan are appropriate.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If it's almost time for your next dose, take only the amount necessary. Never double up on any medicine at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

Avoid alcohol consumption. You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position.

Side effects of Steglujan

If you experience any of the following symptoms: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or severe skin reactions (fever, sore mouth, burning eyes, pain in your skin, a red or purple rash with blisters and peeling), then seek emergency medical attention. If any of these symptoms arise, seek medical assistance immediately. The symptoms can get worse very quickly.

If you experience:

• Severe auto-immune reaction—itching, blisters, and breakdown of the outer skin layer;
• New pain, tenderness, or sores in your feet or legs;
• You may experience severe pain or persistent joint pain.
• Little or no urination
• Ketoacidosis (too many acids in the bloodstream): nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; confusion; unusual sleepiness; or difficulty breathing.
• Dehydration symptoms: feeling dizzy, weak, light-headed, or like you could pass out;
• Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection: burning or pain when you urinate; increased urination; blood in the urine; fever or pain in your back or pelvis.
• Symptoms of heart failure: shortness of breath; swelling of the legs or feet; rapid weight gain.
• Pancreatitis symptoms: severe abdominal pain that spreads to the back. This may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Some side effects are more common in older adults.

Steglujan can cause a variety of side effects.

• Urinating more than usual
• Upset stomach, diarrhea;
• Headache
• Cold symptoms like stuffy noses, sneezing, and sore throats.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Interaction with other drug

Your doctor may adjust your doses for any other diabetes medications you take regularly when you begin or stop using Steglujan. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also interact with ertugliflozin or sitagliptin. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.