Two medicines, side by side
Alogliptin vs saxagliptin
Alogliptin and saxagliptin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of alogliptin since 2013 and of saxagliptin since 2009. Pharmacies paid $4.96 per alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet and $1.04 per saxagliptin HCl 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the alogliptin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 28, 2025); the saxagliptin FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2026).
Highlights of the alogliptin record
Alogliptin (Nesina) · label of February 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsNESINA ® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. NESINA is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: Should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 25, 2013
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the saxagliptin record
Saxagliptin (Onglyza) · label of January 27, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsSaxagliptin tablets are a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ( 1.1 ) Limitations of use: • Not recommended for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 2009
- Generic labelers
- 3 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.04 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alogliptin label of February 28, 2025, Saxagliptin label of January 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alogliptin and saxagliptin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors.
Half-life, in each label's words: Alogliptin, “Elimination NESINA was eliminated with a mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 21 hours.”; Saxagliptin, “Following a single oral dose of saxagliptin 5 mg to healthy subjects, the mean plasma terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) for …”
Generics: alogliptin none approved; saxagliptin since 2023 (Drugs@FDA).
| Alogliptin | Saxagliptin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor | Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small intestine in response to meals. | Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are released into the bloodstream from the small intestine in response to meals. |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination NESINA was eliminated with a mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 21 hours. | Following a single oral dose of saxagliptin 5 mg to healthy subjects, the mean plasma terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) for saxagliptin and its active metabolite was 2.5 and 3.1 hours, respectively. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 25, 2013 | July 31, 2009 |
| First generic approved | none | July 31, 2023 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 3 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $4.96 per tablet (Alogliptin 12.5 mg tablet) | $1.04 per tablet (Saxagliptin HCl 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +9% | -74% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,409 | 1,458 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to alogliptin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions