Zituvio

Pronunciation: zi too' vee oh
Generic name: sitagliptin
Dosage form: tablet (25mg, 50mg, 100mg)
Drug class: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 24, 2023.

What is Zituvio?

​​Zituvio (sitagliptin) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. Zituvio works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating. Zituvio is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

Zituvio reduces blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of insulin made and released from pancreas, and also decreases the amount sugar made by liver.  Zituvio is a DPP-4 inhibitor (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inibitor).

Zituvio received FDA-approval on October 18, 2023, along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Zituvio should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes and has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. 

How does Zituvio work?

Zituvio works (mechanism of action) by increasing and prolonging active incretin levels (GLP-1 and GIP),  this results in an increase in insulin being released and decrease in the amount of glucose made in the liver, which lowers blood sugar levels. Usually GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are inactivated by the enzyme DPP-4.  

Zituvio is a DPP-4 inhibitor which works by blocking DPP-4 which means GLP-1 and GIP are not inactivated, so there is an increase in insulin being released and decrease in the amount of glucose made, which results in lower blood sugar levels.

Zituvio side effects

Common Zituvio side effects of may include:

• low blood sugar symptoms include, headache, drowsiness, irritability, hunger,  dizziness, confusion, sweating. feeling jittery, weakness, fast heartbeat;
• headache; or
• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.

Serious Zituvio side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Stop taking Zituvio and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with or without vomiting.

Zituvio may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe autoimmune reaction - itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin;
• severe or ongoing pain in your joints;
• little or no urination; or
• symptoms of heart failure - shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Contraindications

Do not take Zituvio if you are allergic to sitagliptin or any of the inactive ingredients in this medicine. See the end of this page for a complete list of ingredients.

Seek emergency medical care if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include rash, raised red patches on your skin (hives), or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Warnings

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of heart failure - shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

Stop taking Zituvio and call your doctor if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with or without vomiting.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zituvio if you are allergic to it, or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• heart problems;
• pancreatitis;
• high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• gallstones; or
• alcoholism.

Pregnancy

Follow your doctor's instructions about using Zituvio if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Breastfeeding

It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking Zituvio.

How should I take Zituvio?

Zituvio tablet is taken one time each day, with or without food.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office.

Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working before and during your treatment with Zituvio. 

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your healthcare provider may tell you to take Zituvio along with other diabetes medicines. Low blood sugar can happen more often when Zituvio is taken with certain other diabetes medicines.

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Zituvio is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Dosing information

Usual Zituvio Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2: 100 mg orally once a day.
Comments:

• Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with eGFR less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.
• When used in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g. sulfonylurea) or insulin, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

Click the link below for more details on Zituvio dosing.

Zituvio tablets are available as: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Zituvio?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Zituvio?

Zituvio may not work as well when you use other medicines at the same time. Many other drugs can also affect blood sugar control.

You may be more likely to have low blood sugar if you also use insulin.

Other drugs may affect Zituvio, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).  
• Keep in the original container to protect it from moisture.  
• Use within 3 months of opening the bottle. 

Ingredients

Active ingredient: sitagliptin.

Inactive ingredients: anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, malic acid, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide. The 50 mg tablet’s film coating also contains ferrosoferric oxide and iron oxide yellow. The 100 mg tablet’s film coating also contains FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake and iron oxide yellow.

Company

Manufactured by: Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Pharmez, Matoda, Ahmedabad, India. Distributed by: Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., Route 31 North, Pennington, NJ 08534.

Frequently asked questions

• Can Victoza and Januvia be used together?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer