Sitagliptin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.

Applies to sitagliptin: oral tablet.

Common side effects of sitagliptin

Some side effects of sitagliptin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• body aches or pain
• cough
• difficulty with breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• loss of voice
• muscle aches
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose

Less common

• diarrhea
• stomach pain

Serious side effects of sitagliptin

Along with its needed effects, sitagliptin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sitagliptin:

Less common

• anxiety
• blurred vision
• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• depression
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• increased hunger
• loss of consciousness
• nausea
• nightmares
• seizures
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• agitation
• blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
• coma
• decreased urine output
• diarrhea
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• hostility
• irritability
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• muscle twitching
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• redness of the skin
• severe joint pain
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stupor
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• vomiting

For healthcare professionals

Applies to sitagliptin: oral tablet.

General

The most commonly reported adverse events included upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and headache. As add-on to insulin studies, hypoglycemia was commonly reported.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gastroenteritis
• Postmarketing reports: Acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, vomiting, mouth ulceration, stomatitis, constipation^[Ref]

In a pooled analysis of 19 trials (sitagliptin 100 mg/day, n=5429; active control or placebo, n=4817), the incidence of acute pancreatitis was in 0.1 per 100 patient-years in each group (4 patients in each group)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis,
• Postmarketing reports: Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, cutaneous vasculitis, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome^[Ref]

There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with this drug. Reactions have occurred within the first 3 months of therapy initiation, with some reports occurring after the first dose.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Hepatic enzyme elevations^[Ref]

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Worsening renal function^[Ref]

There have been postmarketing reports of worsening renal function, including acute renal failure, sometime requiring dialysis. A subset of these reports involved patients with renal insufficiency, some who were prescribed inappropriate doses of this drug. With drug discontinuation, supportive treatment and discontinuation of potentially causative agents, a return to baseline levels of renal insufficiency occurred.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, myalgia, extremity pain, back pain, osteoarthritis, rhabdomyolysis, severe and disabling arthralgia^[Ref]

Between October 2006 and December 2013, thirty-three cases of severe arthralgia have been reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database. Each case involved the use of 1 or more dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. In all cases, substantial reduction in prior activity level was reported, 10 patients were hospitalized due to disabling joint pain. In 22 cases, symptoms appeared within 1 month of starting therapy. In 23 cases symptoms resolved less than 1 month after discontinuation. A positive rechallenge was reported in 8 cases, with 6 cases involving use of a different DPP-4 inhibitor. Sitagliptin had the greatest number of cases reported (n=28) followed by saxagliptin (n=5), linagliptin (n=2), alogliptin (n=1), and vildagliptin (n=2).^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, bullous pemphigoid^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia (when used in combination with insulin or sulfonylurea)^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Can Victoza and Januvia be used together?

Further information

Sitagliptin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer