Indications: diabetes mellitus

Cautions: Elderly; determine renal function before treatment and periodically thereafter; discontinue if symptoms of acute pancreatitis (persistent, severe abdominal pain).

Contra-indications: history of serious hypersensitivity to dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors.

Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment.

Renal impairment: Reduce dose to 2.5 mg once daily in moderate to severe impairment; use with caution in severe impairment.

Pregnancy: Avoid unless essential—toxicity in animal studies.

Breast-feeding: Avoid—present in milk in animal studies.

Side Effects: Vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis; peripheral oedema; headache, dizziness, fatigue; upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis; hypoglycaemia, myalgia; less dyslipidaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, erectile dysfunction, arthralgia, hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis); also reported rash.pancreatitis,

Dose: ADULT over 18 years, 5 mg once daily