saxagliptin vs sitagliptin

PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.

Side-by-side comparison of saxagliptin and sitagliptin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
saxagliptin DPP-4 Inhibitor
sitagliptin DPP-4 Inhibitor
Type
saxagliptin Prescription
sitagliptin Prescription
Summary
saxagliptin

No summary available.

sitagliptin

No summary available.

What It Treats
saxagliptin

Information not available.

sitagliptin

Information not available.

How It Works
saxagliptin

Information not available.

sitagliptin

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
saxagliptin
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Urinary tract infection
  • High cholesterol
sitagliptin
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
  • Headache
FAERS Reports
saxagliptin
  • Cardiac Failure Congestive 428
  • Blood Glucose Increased 401
  • Cardiac Failure 400
  • Nausea 372
  • Diarrhoea 328
sitagliptin
  • Blood Glucose Increased 4,453
  • Nausea 3,790
  • Diarrhoea 3,470
  • Fatigue 2,885
  • Headache 2,508
Serious Warnings
saxagliptin

No specific warnings noted.

sitagliptin

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
saxagliptin

No pregnancy information available.

sitagliptin

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This saxagliptin vs sitagliptin Comparison

saxagliptin is classified in the DPP-4 Inhibitor drug class, while sitagliptin 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, saxagliptin has 1,929 submissions while sitagliptin has 17,106. 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 represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for saxagliptin or sitagliptin.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.