Home Drug Guide Alogliptin Benzoate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Alogliptin Benzoate

Brand Names Nesina

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent

Pharmacological: DPP-4 inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Improvement of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Mechanism of Action

Alogliptin selectively inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), increasing levels of active incretin hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), which increase insulin release and decrease glucagon levels in a glucose-dependent manner.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 25 mg once daily, with or without food. Dose adjustments may be needed for renal impairment.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Use with caution; renal function should be monitored.

Renal Impairment: Reduce dosage in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Hepatic Impairment: No dosage adjustment necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Low protein binding (~20%).

Metabolism: Minimal metabolism; primarily excreted unchanged.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via the kidneys (urine) and feces.

Half Life: Approximately 21 hours, allowing once-daily dosing.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to alogliptin or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with a history of pancreatitis, monitor renal function periodically, and consider dose adjustments in renal impairment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Nasopharyngitis (Common)
  • Diarrhea (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Pancreatitis (Rare)
  • Severe allergic reactions including angioedema and anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Potential increased risk of pancreatitis when combined with other drugs associated with pancreatitis.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels and renal function periodically.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose
  • Risk for pancreatitis

Implementation: Administer once daily as prescribed, monitor for adverse reactions, especially pancreatitis.

Evaluation: Assess glycemic control and watch for signs of adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication as prescribed, once daily.
  • Report symptoms of pancreatitis such as persistent severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Maintain regular follow-up appointments.
  • Inform provider of any allergic reactions immediately.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential risk of acute pancreatitis; patients should be monitored closely.

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: N/A

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Hypoglycemia, nausea.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Dialysis may be considered in severe cases, especially if renal impairment is present.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.