Nesina (Alogliptin (As Benzoate))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Nesina Used For?
Nesina is a diabetes medication that helps control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes).
Primary Uses
Nesina is used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, when the insulin doesn’t work properly, or when the body produces too much glucagon.
How It Works
Nesina belongs to a class of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors. It lowers blood sugar when blood sugar is high, especially after meals. Unlike some diabetes medications, Nesina by itself is unlikely to cause dangerously low blood sugar because it doesn’t work when blood sugar is already low.
Good to know: Nesina is unlikely to cause low blood sugar on its own because it only works when blood sugar levels are high
How to Take Nesina
Nesina should be taken regularly at the same time each day to maintain steady blood sugar control.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one 25 mg tablet once daily. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe lower doses of 12.5 mg or 6.25 mg once daily, depending on the severity of your kidney disease. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Headache
- Cold-like symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, feeling tired)
- Rash
- Itchy skin
- Joint pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (rash, hives, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of lips, face, throat or tongue, feeling faint)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe allergic reaction with general itching and feeling of heat)
- Bullous pemphigoid (skin blisters or breakdown of outer skin layer)
- Pancreatitis symptoms (severe persistent pain around top of stomach reaching into back, with nausea and vomiting)
- Liver problems (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dark urine)
- Hypoglycemia symptoms (trembling, sweating, anxiety, blurred vision, tingling lips, paleness, mood changes, feeling confused)
Important Warnings
Before taking Nesina, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Nesina
Do not use Nesina if you are allergic to alogliptin or any of the ingredients listed. Nesina should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes), diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney problems, liver disease, heart failure, disease of the pancreas, or if you take any medicines for other conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Like most medicines of this kind, Nesina is not recommended during pregnancy. It’s not known whether Nesina passes into breast milk, so discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Nesina and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Dose adjustment needed: Your doctor may need to reduce your dose of sulphonylurea or insulin when taken with Nesina to avoid dangerously low blood sugar
- Sulphonylurea medications (e.g., glipizide, glimepiride, glibenclamide)
- Insulin
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Nesina, as it can affect your blood sugar levels and alertness.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol as it increases the risk of your blood glucose becoming too low. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving, operating machinery, or doing jobs that require alertness until you know how Nesina affects you. The medication may cause dizziness in some people. If your blood glucose becomes too low, you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, weak, or tired, and your reaction time may be slower than usual.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Nesina, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can take Nesina with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
Take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose.
Be careful when drinking alcohol as it increases the risk of your blood glucose becoming too low. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Nesina by itself is unlikely to cause low blood sugar because it doesn’t work when blood sugar is already low. However, it may cause low blood sugar when taken with insulin or sulphonylurea medications.
Don’t skip meals, be careful with alcohol consumption, avoid unexpected vigorous exercise without proper preparation, and be cautious when driving if you feel dizzy or have low blood sugar symptoms.
Keep tablets in the blister pack until use. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of allergic reaction, severe stomach pain that may indicate pancreatitis, yellowing of skin or eyes, or severe low blood sugar symptoms like confusion or trembling.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.