Saxagliptin

The Basics

What is Saxagliptin?

Used to treat high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Brand names for Saxagliptin

Onglyza

How Saxagliptin is classified

Hypoglycemic Agents, Incretins, Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors, DPP-4 Inhibitors

Saxagliptin During Pregnancy

Saxagliptin pregnancy category

Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Saxagliptin while pregnant

Limited data with ONGLYZA in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriages. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations]. No adverse developmental effects independent of maternal toxicity were observed when saxagliptin was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis and in pregnant and lactating rats during the pre-and postnatal period . The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6 to 10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with an HbA1c greater than 7 and has been reported to be as high as 20 to 25% in women with an HbA1c greater than 10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Taking Saxagliptin While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Saxagliptin?

No information is available on the clinical use of saxagliptin during breastfeeding. Saxagliptin has a shorter half-life than the other dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors, so it might be a better choice among drugs in this class for nursing mothers. Monitoring of the breastfed infant’s blood glucose is advisable during maternal therapy with saxagliptin.[1] However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of saxagliptin during breastfeeding. Saxagliptin has a shorter half-life than the other dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors, so it might be a better choice among drugs in this class for nursing mothers. Monitoring of the breastfed infant’s blood glucose is advisable during maternal therapy with saxagliptin.[1] However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Saxagliptin on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Saxagliptin

Acarbose, Glipizide, Glyburide, Insulin, Metformin, Miglitol.