Sitagliptin

The Basics

What is Sitagliptin?

Used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Brand names for Sitagliptin

Januvia

How Sitagliptin is classified

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

Sitagliptin During Pregnancy

Sitagliptin 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 Sitagliptin while pregnant

N/A

Taking Sitagliptin While Breastfeeding

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

No information is available on the clinical use of sitagliptin during breastfeeding. Sitagliptin has a shorter half-life than most 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 sitagliptin during breastfeeding. Sitagliptin has a shorter half-life than most 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 Sitagliptin on milk supply

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

Possible alternatives to Sitagliptin

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