← Saxagliptin

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Saxagliptin

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor [EPC]

Prepared 24 Sep 2026

What it is used for

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Limitations of Use Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin tablets are not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [ see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1) ]. Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin tablets is a combination of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and saxagliptin 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: Not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. ( 1 )

Warnings

1 Diabetes Mellitus and Other Ketoacidosis : Consider ketone monitoring in patients at risk for ketoacidosis, as indicated. Assess for ketoacidosis regardless of presenting blood glucose levels and discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin if ketoacidosis is suspected. Monitor patients for resolution of ketoacidosis before restarting. ( 5.1 ) Pancreatitis: If pancreatitis is suspected, promptly discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. ( 5.2 ) Heart Failure: Consider risks and benefits of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin in patients who have known risk factors for heart failure. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms. ( 5.3 ) Volume Depletion: Before initiating dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, assess volume status and renal function in the elderly, patients with renal impairment or low systolic blood pressure, and in patients on diuretics. Monitor for signs and symptoms during therapy. ( 5.4 ) Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis: Evaluate for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated. ( 5.5 ) Hypoglycemia: Consider lowering the dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia when initiating dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. ( 5.6 ) Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene): Serious, life-threatening cases have occurred in both females and males. Assess patients presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise. If suspected, institute prompt treatment. ( 5.7 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions : There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with saxagliptin, such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions. Promptly discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, assess for other potential causes, institute appropriate monitoring and treatment, and initiate alternative treatment for diabetes. ( 5.8 ) Genital Mycotic Infections: Monitor and treat if indicated. ( 5.9 ) Arthralgia: Severe and disabling arthralgia has been reported in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. Consider as a possible cause for severe joint pain and discontinue drug if appropriate. ( 5.10 ) Bullous Pemphigoid: There have been postmarketing reports of bullous pemphigoid requiring hospitalization in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. Tell patients to report development of blisters or erosions. If bullous pemphigoid is suspected, discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. ( 5.11 ) 5.1 Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Other Ketoacidosis In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, dapagliflozin, a component of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, significantly increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening event, beyond the background rate. In placebo-controlled trials of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the risk of ketoacidosis was markedly increased in patients who received sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared to patients who received placebo. Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin is not indicated for glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic disorders (e.g., history of pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery) are also risk factors for ketoacidosis. There have been postmarketing reports of fatal events of ketoacidosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin. Precipitating conditions for diabetic ketoacidosis or other ketoacidosis include under-insulinization due to insulin dose reduction or missed insulin doses, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, ketogenic diet, surgery, volume depletion, and alcohol abuse. Signs and symptoms are consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. Blood glucose levels at presentation may be below those typically expected for diabetic ketoacidosis (e.g., less than 250 mg/dL). Ketoacidosis and glucosuria may persist longer than typically expected. Urinary glucose excretion persists for 3 days after discontinuing dapagliflozin and saxagliptin [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.2)]; however, there have been postmarketing reports of ketoacidosis and/or glucosuria lasting greater than 6 days and some up to 2 weeks after discontinuation of SGLT2 inhibitors. Consider ketone monitoring in patients at risk for ketoacidosis if indicated by the clinical situation. Assess for ketoacidosis regardless of presenting blood glucose levels in patients who present with signs and symptoms consistent with severe metabolic acidosis. If ketoacidosis is suspected, discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, promptly evaluate, and treat ketoacidosis, if confirmed. Monitor patients for resolution of ketoacidosis before restarting dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. Withhold dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, if possible, in temporary clinical situations that could predispose patients to ketoacidosis. Resume dapagliflozin and saxagliptin when the patient is clinically stable and has resumed oral intake [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.5) ]. Educate all patients on the signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis and instruct patients to discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin and seek medical attention immediately if signs and symptoms occur. 5.2 Pancreatitis There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking saxagliptin. In a cardiovascular outcomes trial enrolling participants with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or multiple risk factors for ASCVD (SAVOR trial), cases of definite acute pancreatitis were confirmed in 17 of 8240 (0.2%) patients receiving saxagliptin compared to 9 of 8173 (0.1%) receiving placebo. Pre-existing risk factors for pancreatitis were identified in 88% (15/17) of those patients receiving saxagliptin and in 100% (9/9) of those patients receiving placebo. After initiation of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, observe patients for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, promptly discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin and initiate appropriate management. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis while using dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. 5.3 Heart Failure In a cardiovascular outcomes trial enrolling participants with established ASCVD or multiple risk factors for ASCVD (SAVOR trial), more patients randomized to saxagliptin (289/8280, 3.5%) were hospitalized for heart failure compared to patients randomized to placebo (228/8212, 2.8%). In a time-to-first-event analysis the risk of hospitalization for heart failure was higher in the saxagliptin group (estimated Hazard Ratio: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.51). Subjects with a prior history of heart failure and subjects with renal impairment had a higher risk for hospitalization for heart failure, irrespective of treatment assignment. Consider the risks and benefits of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin prior to initiating treatment in patients at a higher risk of heart failure. Observe patients for signs and symptoms of heart failure during therapy. Advise patients of the characteristic symptoms of heart failure and to immediately report such symptoms. If heart failure develops, evaluate and manage according to current standards of care and consider discontinuation of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. 5.4 Volume Depletion Dapagliflozin can cause intravascular volume depletion which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine. There have been postmarketing reports of acute kidney injury, some requiring hospitalization and dialysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin. Patients with impaired renal function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), elderly patients, or patients on loop diuretics may be at increased risk for volume depletion or hypotension. Before initiating dapagliflozin and saxagliptin in patients with one or more of these characteristics, assess volume status and renal function. Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin is contraindicated in patients with an eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension, and renal function after initiating therapy. 5.5 Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization have been reported in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors increases the risk for urinary tract infections.Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly, if indicated [ see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.2)]. 5.6 Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues Insulin and insulin secretagogues, such as sulfonylureas, are known to cause hypoglycemia. Both dapagliflozin and saxagliptin can individually increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or an insulin secretagogue. Therefore, a lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia when these agents are used in combination with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin [ see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1)]. 5.7 Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene) Reports of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene), a rare but serious and life-threatening necrotizing infection requiring urgent surgical intervention, have been identified in postmarketing surveillance in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin. Cases have been reported in both females and males. Serious outcomes have included hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and death. Patients treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise, should be assessed for necrotizing fasciitis. If suspected, start treatment immediately with broad-spectrum antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical debridement. Discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, closely monitor blood glucose levels, and provide appropriate alternative therapy for glycemic control. 5.8 Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with saxagliptin. These reactions include anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first 3 months after initiation of treatment with saxagliptin, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue dapagliflozin and saxagliptin, treat per standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms are resolved. Assess for other potential causes for the event. Institute alternative treatment for diabetes. Use caution in a patient with a history of angioedema to another dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to angioedema with saxagliptin. 5.9 Genital Mycotic Infections Dapagliflozin increases the risks of genital mycotic infections. Patients with a history of genital mycotic infections were more likely to develop genital mycotic infections [ see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1)]. Monitor and treat appropriately. 5.10 Severe and Disabling Arthralgia There have been postmarketing reports of severe and disabling arthralgia in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. The time to onset of symptoms following initiation of drug therapy varied from one day to years. Patients experienced relief of symptoms upon discontinuation of the medication. A subset of patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms restarting the same drug or a different DPP-4 inhibitor. Consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause for severe joint pain and discontinue drug if appropriate [ see…

Possible side effects

labeling: Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Other Ketoacidosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1) ] Pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2) ] Heart Failure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) ] Volume Depletion [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4) ] Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5) ] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.6) ] Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.7) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.8) ] Genital Mycotic Infections [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.9) ] Severe and Disabling Arthralgia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.10) ] Bullous Pemphigoid [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.11) ] Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of subjects treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin were: upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and dyslipidemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novadoz Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-855-668-2369 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of combined use of 10 mg dapagliflozin and 5 mg saxagliptin has been evaluated in adult subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a pooled safety analysis of three phase 3 active/placebo-controlled clinical trials with a median exposure of 51 weeks. The pooled safety analysis included a total of 1169 adults: 492 patients in the combination of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin plus metformin group, 341 patients in the dapagliflozin plus metformin group, 336 patients in the saxagliptin plus metformin group.The mean age of these subjects was 54 years, 0.8% were 75 years or older and 53.7% were female. The population was 80.9% White, 8.3% Black or African American, 3.7% Asian, and 6.6% Other race. At baseline the population had diabetes for an average of 7.5 years and a mean HbA1c of 8.4%. The mean eGFR at baseline was 94.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . The common adverse reactions were based on the pooled analyses of these studies as shown in Table 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% of Subjects Treated with 10 mg Dapagliflozin and 5 mg Saxagliptin plus Metformin (≥1,500 mg) Adverse Reaction Preferred Term* Frequency % Upper respiratory tract infection * 13.6 Urinary tract infection * 5.7 Dyslipidemia * 5.1 Headache 4.3 Diarrhea 3.7 Back pain 3.3 Genital infection * 3.0 Arthralgia 2.4 * Adverse reactions that are medically related were grouped to a single preferred term. Additionally, adverse reactions reported in <5% and ≥2% from the dapagliflozin development program and ≥1% more frequently compared to placebo included increased urination and discomfort with urination. Hypoglycemia In the pooled analysis, the incidences of hypoglycemia (defined as a blood glucose <54 mg/dL regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms) and severe hypoglycemia (event requiring assistance due to neuroglycopenia, characterized by altered mental and/or physical status) was 1% and 0.2%, respectively. Genital Mycotic Infections Genital mycotic infections were reported in 15 subjects (3%) treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. Reported adverse reactions by frequency included vulvovaginal mycotic infection, balanoposthitis, genital fungal infection, vaginal infection, and vulvovaginitis. The majority of subjects (84.2%) who experienced genital infection adverse reactions were females. Urinary Tract Infections Urinary tract infections were reported in 28 subjects (5.7%) treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. Reported adverse reactions by frequency included urinary tract infection, Escherichia urinary tract infection, prostatitis, and pyelonephritis. The majority of subjects (80.6%) who experienced urinary tract infection adverse reactions were females. Volume Depletion Dapagliflozin causes an osmotic diuresis, which may lead to a reduction in intravascular volume. Events related to volume depletion (hypotension, dehydration, and hypovolemia) were reported in 2 subjects (0.4%) treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin plus metformin. Impairment of Renal Function Adverse reactions related to decreased renal function were reported in 10 subjects (2.0%) treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin plus metformin. The reported adverse reactions included decreased glomerular filtration rate, renal impairment, increased blood creatinine, acute renal failure, and decreased urine output. None of the adverse reactions were reported as serious and all but one was mild to moderate in intensity. Three subjects discontinued due to decreased eGFR. Subjects with AEs of renal impairment had lower mean eGFR values at baseline of 64.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 compared to 94.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 in overall population treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. Ketoacidosis Dapagliflozin In the cardiovascular outcome study with dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were reported in 27 out of 8574 patients in the dapagliflozin-treated group and in 12 out of 8569 patients in the placebo group. The events were evenly distributed over the study period. LaboratoryTests Increases in Serum Creatinine and Decreases in eGFR Dapagliflozin Initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin causes a small increase in serum creatinine and decrease in eGFR. These changes in serum creatinine and eGFR generally occur within two weeks of starting therapy and then stabilize regardless of baseline kidney function. Changes that do not fit this pattern should prompt further evaluation to exclude the possibility of acute kidney injury. In two studies that included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with moderate renal impairment, the acute effect on eGFR reversed after treatment discontinuation, suggesting acute hemodynamic changes may play a role in the renal function changes observed with dapagliflozin. Decrease in Lymphocyte Counts Saxagliptin A dose-related mean decrease in absolute lymphocyte count has been observed with saxagliptin. In a pool of 5 placebo-controlled studies, a mean decrease in absolute lymphocyte count of approximately 100 cells/microL relative to placebo was observed. The proportion of patients who were reported to have a lymphocyte count ≤750 cells/microL was 0.5%, 1.5%, and 0.4% in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg saxagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. The clinical significance of this decrease in lymphocyte count relative to placebo is not known. The effect of saxagliptin on lymphocyte counts in patients with lymphocyte abnormalities (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus) is unknown. Increase in Hematocrit Dapagliflozin In a pool of 13 placebo-controlled studies with dapagliflozin, increases from baseline in mean hematocrit values were observed in dapagliflozin-treated patients starting at Week 1 and continuing up to Week 16, when the maximum mean difference from baseline was observed. At Week 24, the mean changes from baseline in hematocrit were −0.33% in the placebo group and 2.30% in the 10 mg dapagliflozin group. By Week 24, hematocrit values >55% were reported in 0.4% of placebo-treated patients and 1.3% of 10 mg dapagliflozin-treated patients. Increase in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Patients treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin demonstrated a mean percent increase from baseline LDL-cholesterol (ranging from 2.1 to 6.9%). Elevations in Creatine Kinase An imbalance in the number of subjects who experienced serum creatine kinase (CK) elevations >10x the upper limit of normal (a marker of muscle injury/necrosis) was observed in 5 subjects (1%) treated with dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. The elevations were transient. Rhabdomyolysis was reported for one of those subjects for which no obvious cause was identified. Decrease in Serum Bicarbonate In a study of concomitant therapy of 10 mg dapagliflozin with exenatide extended-release (on a background of metformin), four patients (1.7%) on concomitant therapy had a serum bicarbonate value of less than or equal to 13 mEq/L compared to one each (0.4%) in the dapagliflozin and exenatide-extended release treatment groups . 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin. Because the following reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Dapagliflozin Infections: Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene), urosepsis and pyelonephritis Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Ketoacidosis Renal and Urinary Disorders: Acute kidney injury Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Rash Saxagliptin Gastrointestinal Disorders: Pancreatitis Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Rhabdomyolysis, severe and disabling arthralgia Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Bullous pemphigoid

Storage

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin tablets are available in packages as listed: Table 11: Dapagliflozin and saxagliptin Tablet Presentations Tablet Strength Film-Coated Tablet Color / Shape Tablet Markings Pack Size NDC Code 10mg dapagliflozin/ 5 mg saxagliptin Light brown to brown, biconvex, round Debossed with "MS" on one side and "4" on other side. Bottles of 30 Bottles of 90 72205-438-01 72205-438-02 Storage and Handling Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

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