Consumer medicine information

XELEVIA®


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.


1. Why am I taking XELEVIA?

XELEVIA contains the active ingredient sitagliptin (as phosphate monohydrate). XELEVIA is used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I taking XELEVIA? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I take XELEVIA?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to XELEVIA or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I take XELEVIA? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with XELEVIA and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I take XELEVIA?

  • Take XELEVIA once a day by mouth, with or without food

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take XELEVIA? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while taking XELEVIA?

Things you should do
  • Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking XELEVIA.
  • Call your doctor straight away if you become pregnant while taking XELEVIA.
Things you should not do
  • Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly.
  • Do not give XELEVIA to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Looking after your medicine
  • Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
  • Store XELEVIA in a cool dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat or sunlight.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while taking XELEVIA? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Serious side effects in particular that need to be noted are:

  • Allergic reactions including rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat with difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
  • Severe and persistent stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting.
  • Low blood sugar when used in combination with a sulfonylurea medicine or with insulin.
  • Blisters or the breakdown of your skin (erosion).
  • Kidney problems.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

XELEVIA®

Active ingredient: Sitagliptin (as phosphate monohydrate)


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about taking XELEVIA. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about taking XELEVIA.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I taking XELEVIA?
2. What should I know before I take XELEVIA?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I take XELEVIA?
5. What should I know while take XELEVIA?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I taking XELEVIA?

XELEVIA contains the active ingredient sitagliptin. XELEVIA is a member of a class of medicines you take by mouth called DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors) that lowers blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

XELEVIA is used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Xelevia can be used alone or in combination with certain other medicines that lower blood sugar along with a recommended diet and exercise program.

2. What should I know before I take XELEVIA?

Warnings

Do not take XELEVIA if:

  • you are allergic to sitagliptin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have or have had type 1 diabetes mellitus.
  • have or have had increased ketones in the blood or urine (diabetic ketoacidosis).
  • have or have had any kidney problems or any past or present medical problems.
  • take any medicines for any other condition.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. XELEVIA is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. You should not take XELEVIA while breastfeeding or if planning to breastfeed.

Children

Children and adolescents below 18 years should not use this medicine. XELEVIA is not effective in children and adolescents 10 to 17 years of age with type 2 diabetes. XELEVIA has not been studied in children younger than 10 years of age.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Medicines that may cause low blood sugar when used in combination with XELEVIA include:

  • Sulfonylureas
  • Insulin

A reduction in the amount of the sulfonylurea or insulin may be required.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect XELEVIA.

4. How do I take XELEVIA?

How much to take

  • Take XELEVIA once a day by mouth, with or without food
  • If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe lower doses, and monitor your kidney function.
  • Your doctor may prescribe XELEVIA on its own, or with certain other medicines that lower blood sugar.

When to take XELEVIA

  • Take your XELEVIA at about the same time each day.

If you forget to take XELEVIA

XELEVIA should be taken regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you take too much XELEVIA

If you think that you have taken too much XELEVIA, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while taking XELEVIA?

Things you should do

Diet and exercise can help your body use its blood sugar better. It is important to stay on your doctor’s recommended diet, exercise and weight loss program while taking XELEVIA

Call your doctor straight away:

  • If you become pregnant while taking XELEVIA.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking XELEVIA.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking XELEVIA.

Things you should not do

  • Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Continue to take XELEVIA as long as your doctor prescribes it so it can continue to help control your blood sugar.
  • Do not give XELEVIA to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Driving or using machines

There is no information to suggest that XELEVIA affects your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Looking after your medicine

Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.

Store it in a cool dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on window sills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to take this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects What to do
  • Signs of an infection of the breathing passages including runny nose, sore throat, cough, soreness in the back of the nose and throat and discomfort when swallowing, headache, flu-like symptoms
  • Stomach discomfort and vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
  • Muscle aches or pain in the joints, back, arm, or leg
  • Itching, or blisters or the breakdown of your skin (erosion).
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects What to do
  • Allergic reactions including rash, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
  • Severe and persistent stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting. These may be symptoms of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can be a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition.
  • Low blood sugar when XELEVIA is used in combination with a sulfonylurea medicine or with insulin.
  • Severe blistering or the breakdown of your skin (erosion).
  • Kidney problems (sometimes requiring dialysis)
Stop taking XELEVIA. Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

What XELEVIA contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
Sitagliptin 25, 50 or 100 mg per tablet
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
Microcrystalline cellulose
Calcium hydrogen phosphate
Croscarmellose sodium
Magnesium stearate
Sodium stearyl fumarate
Propyl gallate*
Polyvinyl alcohol
Macrogol 3350
Purified talc
Titanium dioxide
Iron oxide red
Iron oxide yellow

*AUST Rs 408440, 408439, 408438 only

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What XELEVIA looks like

XELEVIA 25 mg is a pink, round, film coated tablet with “221” on one side and plain on the other (AUST Rs 220109, 408440).

XELEVIA 50 mg is a light beige, round, film coated tablet with “112” on one side and plain on the other AUST Rs 220108, 408439).

XELEVIA 100 mg is a beige, round, film coated tablet with “277” on one side and plain on the other (AUST Rs 220107, 408438).

Who distributes XELEVIA

Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 1, Building A, 26 Talavera Road
MACQUARIE PARK NSW 2113

This leaflet was prepared in January 2024.

RCN000026443

Copyright © (2023) Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Published by MIMS March 2024