alogliptin vs saxagliptin
Side-by-side comparison of alogliptin and saxagliptin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Nesina
Onglyza
Alogliptin and Metformin HCl is a drug that helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works along with diet and exercise.
QTERN is a drug that combines two medicines to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used with diet and exercise.
This medicine is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to control your blood sugar levels when used with diet and exercise. It is not for use in type 1 diabetes.
QTERN helps adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. QTERN is not for people with type 1 diabetes.
Alogliptin helps your body release more insulin after you eat. Metformin helps your body use insulin better and lowers the amount of sugar your liver makes. Together, they help lower your blood sugar levels.
QTERN contains two medicines that work in different ways to lower blood sugar. One medicine helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through your urine. The other medicine helps your body release more insulin after you eat.
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Common cold
- • Diarrhea
- • High blood pressure
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Urinary tract infection
- • High cholesterol
- Diarrhea 134
- Feeling sick to your stomach 124
- Throwing up 110
- Sudden kidney damage 101
- Blistering skin condition 101
- Congestive heart failure 428
- Increased blood sugar 401
- Heart failure 400
- Feeling sick to your stomach 372
- Medicine not working 333
This medicine can cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Symptoms include feeling very sick, muscle pain, trouble breathing, sleepiness, and stomach pain. Get medical help right away if you have these symptoms. Certain conditions increase your risk, including kidney problems, taking certain other medicines, being 65 or older, and drinking a lot of alcohol.
QTERN can cause a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, belly pain, confusion, and unusual fatigue. If you have these symptoms, get medical help right away. QTERN may also increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
QTERN may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is not recommended to use QTERN while breastfeeding.
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How to Read This alogliptin vs saxagliptin Comparison
alogliptin is classified in the DPP-4 Inhibitor drug class, while saxagliptin sits within the DPP-4 Inhibitor class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alogliptin has 570 submissions while saxagliptin has 1,934. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between alogliptin and saxagliptin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.