Nesina (Alogliptin)

Usual dose:

The recommended dose of NESINA is 25 mg once a day. Swallow your tablet(s) whole with water. You can take this medicine with or without food.

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Your doctor may prescribe NESINA together with another medicine to control your blood sugar levels.

Your doctor will tell you if you need to change the amount of other medicines you take.

If you have kidney disease your doctor may prescribe you a reduced dose.

Overdose:

If you take more tablets than you should, or if someone else or a child takes your medicine, contact or go to your nearest emergency centre straight away. Take this leaflet or some tablets with you so that your doctor knows exactly what you have taken.

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed dose:

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a forgotten dose.

Like all medicines, NESINA may cause unwanted reactions, so called side effects.

The common side effects that may occur are:

• cold or flu like symptoms such as sore throat, stuffy or blocked nose, feeling tired, fever, chills, body ache, dry cough
• rash or itchy skin
• headache
• abdominal pain
• stomach pain
• nausea
• toothache
• vomiting
• constipation
• indigestion, heartburn
• back pain
• muscle and/or bone pain (including of the chest)
• cramp
• tiredness (fatigue)
• difficulty sleeping
• tiredness, weakness, dizziness or pale complexion due to low red blood cells (anaemia)
• swelling of extremities
• high cholesterol or fat in blood
• joint pain
• pain, numbness or sensation of “pins and needles” in extremities
• high blood pressure (hypertension)

Uncommon side effects that may occur are:

• allergic reaction (including severe rash, facial swelling and hives)
• upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back, with or without vomiting, due to a swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Unknown side effects that may occur are:

• serious rash, involving skin reddening, pain, swelling of lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)
• liver problems

NESINA can cause abnormal blood test results. Your doctor will decide when to perform tests and will interpret the results.

Before you take NESINA, tell your doctor if you:

• have type 1 diabetes (your body does not produce insulin)
• have diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body is unable to breakdown glucose because there is not enough insulin). Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting and rapid weight loss
• are taking the antidiabetic medicines pioglitazone and metformin or a medicine known as sulfonylurea (e.g. glipizide, tolbutamide, glibenclamide) or insulin (with or without metformin). Your doctor may want to reduce your dose of sulfonylurea or insulin when you take any of them together with NESINA in order to avoid too low blood sugar. Take precaution to avoid low blood sugar while driving or using machinery.
• have or have had kidney disease
• suffer from heart failure
• have or have had liver problems
• have any allergies, especially to the ingredients in NESINA
• have or have had a inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
• have had allergic reactions to any other medications that you take to control your blood sugar. Symptoms may include general itching and feeling of heat especially affecting the scalp, mouth, throat, palms of hands and soles of feet, as well as blistering (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome)

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Talk to your doctor before starting any new medicine.