PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

saxagliptin vs sitagliptin

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
  • Congestive heart failure 428
  • Increased blood sugar 401
  • Heart failure 400
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 372
  • Loose stools 328
sitagliptin
  • Increased blood sugar 4,452
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 3,787
  • Diarrhea 3,470
  • Feeling tired 2,883
  • 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 17,100. 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 saxagliptin and sitagliptin - 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.