Onglyza (Saxagliptin)

Name: Onglyza
Brand: AstraZeneca
SKU: 6681
Availability: InStock

Type

Product

Manufacturer

Country

Dosage

Qty-Price (USD)

Type:

Product: Onglyza Tablet

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Country: Canada

Dosage: 2.5 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Onglyza Tablet

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Country: Canada

Dosage: 5 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Generic Equivalent of Onglyza

Type

Product

Manufacturer

Country

Dosage

Qty-Price (USD)

Type:

Product: Saxagliptin Tablet

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: Canada

Dosage: 2.5 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Saxagliptin Tablet

Manufacturer: Generic

Country: Canada

Dosage: 5 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Onglyza Information

medically reviewed by Carol Hou (BSc. Pharm) on December 16, 2025.

A licensed pharmacist (Licensed Community Pharmacies Directory | College of Pharmacists of British Columbia) with over 20 years of experience in medication management, specifically medication safety, she has reviewed the information for accuracy and completeness.

Onglyza and Saxagliptin at CanadaPharmacyOnline.com

The brand Onglyza (saxagliptin) is manufactured and marketed by AstraZeneca, which took full ownership following a previous collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb. It is available in Canada, India, and other countries worldwide.

Generic saxagliptin is sourced from manufacturers that meet applicable regulatory standards. The specific manufacturers of your dispensed medication.

Important Information about Generic Saxagliptin

Generic saxagliptin contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Onglyza and must meet the same effectiveness and quality standards. This means it is designed to work in the same way as Onglyza. Studies have shown that generic saxagliptin is bioequivalent to brand-name Onglyza, meaning it has similar absorption and achieves comparable blood concentrations. However, individual responses to medication can vary due to factors such as metabolism, genetics, and other health conditions.

For more information about generic drug approval and bioequivalence, please visit Access to Generic Drugs in Canada | Canada.ca.

Dosage:

Onglyza is available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg oral tablets.

Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your individual needs and medical conditions.

Usage:

Onglyza (Saxagliptin) is a prescription medication used in conjunction with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, aiming to improve glycemic control.

Mechanism of Action:
Onglyza (saxagliptin) is a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that boosts the body's natural ability to lower blood sugar, mainly after meals. When a person eats, the intestine releases special hormones called incretins (such as GLP-1 and GIP). These hormones stimulate the pancreas to release insulin and suppress glucagon secretion, thereby signaling the liver to reduce its sugar production. The enzyme DPP-4 rapidly degrades these incretins. Onglyza works by specifically blocking the DPP-4 enzyme, thereby preventing the breakdown of incretin hormones and prolonging their blood glucose-lowering effects.

Safety and Hypoglycemia
While Onglyza, when used alone (monotherapy), rarely causes hypoglycemia, the risk of low blood sugar significantly increases when it is used in combination with other anti-diabetic medications that have an intrinsic risk of hypoglycemia, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Therefore, a lower dose of the sulfonylurea or insulin may be required when used in combination with Onglyza to reduce this risk.

Crucial Safety Warning

Hospitalization for Heart Failure:
Clinical data have shown that the use of Onglyza may be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure in some patients. This risk is generally higher in patients who have pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors or a history of heart or kidney problems. Due to this risk, prescribers must carefully assess a patient's cardiac status when considering Onglyza.

Take Onglyza exactly as your doctor prescribes, following the instructions in the product monograph in Canada. Consult a doctor for personalized guidance and safe use.

The information below summarizes some, but not all, potential side effects, risks, and interactions. Before starting Onglyza, it is essential to discuss all possible side effects, risks, and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects:

The information below outlines potential side effects of Onglyza (saxagliptin). It is not an exhaustive list, and individual reactions can vary.

Common side effects: These are common side effects of Onglyza; other side effects are possible. Contact your doctor promptly if any side effects are persistent, worsening, or concerning, or if you experience any other concerning symptoms.
• Headache
• Nasal Congestion, Sore Throat, or Runny Nose (Nasopharyngitis)
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Other Potential Side Effects (less common):
• Diarrhea
• Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): This risk is low when Onglyza is used alone, but it is significantly increased when Onglyza is combined with an insulin secretagogue (like a sulfonylurea) or insulin.
• Peripheral Edema (swelling of the extremities)
• Vomiting

Serious Side Effects: Seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services if you experience any of the following symptoms:
• Allergic Reactions/Hypersensitivity: Severe allergic reactions can occur, including angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction).
• Bullous Pemphigoid: A severe skin reaction characterized by large, tense blisters.
• Heart Failure: Data suggest that Onglyza may increase the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, particularly in patients with pre-existing heart or kidney disease.
• Pancreatitis: Severe and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by persistent, severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.
• Severe Joint Pain (Arthralgia): The use of Onglyza (saxagliptin), a DPP-4 inhibitor, may cause joint pain that can be severe and disabling. Patients should contact their healthcare professional right away if they experience severe and persistent joint pain.

Contraindications:

The following are key contraindications and important warnings (not an exhaustive list). Before starting Onglyza, it is crucial to discuss all your medical conditions, past and present, and all medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do NOT take Onglyza/Saxagliptin if you have the following conditions:
• Hypersensitivity or Severe Allergic Reaction: Do not take Onglyza if you have a known allergy to saxagliptin or any other ingredient in the tablet. This includes a history of a severe, life-threatening reaction (such as anaphylaxis or angioedema—swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) to any medication in the DPP-4 inhibitor class.
• Type 1 Diabetes or DKA: Onglyza is not indicated for, nor effective in, treating Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). It is only approved for use in adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, past and present, before starting Onglyza. This is crucial as certain conditions affect the drug's safety.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: History of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), since Onglyza has been linked to this risk.
• Heart Disease: History of heart failure, as studies have shown, increases the risk of hospitalization for heart failure with Onglyza use, especially in patients with existing heart or kidney issues.
• Kidney Disease: Moderate to severe kidney impairment, which may require dosage adjustments based on decreased kidney function.

Drug Interactions:

Before taking Onglyza, discuss all potential risks and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist. For complete and up-to-date information, refer to the official product monograph from AstraZeneca Canada at https://www.astrazeneca.ca/content/dam/az-ca/downloads/productinformation/onglyza-product-monograph-en.pdf.

Provide your doctor with a complete list of all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, recreational drugs, and any significant dietary changes, as these may interact with Onglyza. Onglyza may interact with other medicines, but is not limited to:

Interactions Involving Strong CYP3A4/5 Inhibitors (Enzyme Blockers)
• Onglyza relies on the CYP3A4/5 enzyme in the liver to break it down and clear it from the body. • Strong inhibitors of the enzyme CYP3A4/5, such as: Antifungals (e.g., Ketoconazole, Itraconazole), Certain Antibiotics (e.g., Clarithromycin, Telithromycin), HIV/AIDS Medications (e.g., Atazanavir, Ritonavir), Certain Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., Verapamil)
o These drugs block the enzyme that breaks down Onglyza. This causes Onglyza's levels to rise in your body, increasing the risk of side effects. If you need to take one of these potent inhibitors, your healthcare provider will usually lower your Onglyza dose to prevent adverse reactions.

Interactions That Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
• Insulin secretagogues (e.g., Sulfonylureas like Glyburide, Glipizide, Glimepiride) and Insulin.
o Onglyza is designed to increase insulin release, and using it with other medications that stimulate insulin production (like sulfonylureas) or insulin injections can significantly raise your risk of hypoglycemia. To reduce this risk, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a lower dose of a sulfonylurea or insulin when you start Onglyza.

Interactions That May Decrease Onglyza's Effectiveness
• Strong inducers of the CYP3A4/5 enzyme, such as Rifampin (a common antibiotic).
o These drugs speed up the breakdown of Onglyza, which can lower the amount of the drug in your body and reduce its effectiveness in controlling your blood sugar. If you must take a potent inducer, your doctor may consider switching you to a different class of diabetes medication.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is not routinely recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to limited safety data in humans. Since it is unknown whether the drug can harm an unborn baby or be passed through breast milk, its use during these periods is reserved only when a doctor believes that the potential benefits of controlling the mother's blood sugar outweigh the uncertain risks to the fetus or nursing infant. To manage diabetes during pregnancy, your doctor will likely suggest other, more established treatments, such as insulin or metformin.

Use in Children:

Onglyza (saxagliptin) is not approved for use in children or adolescents under 18 and is currently limited to treating adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This is because there have been no adequate clinical studies to confirm the drug's safety, effectiveness, or proper dosing for the pediatric population, making its use in minors unsupported by medical evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Onglyza at CanadaPharmacyOnline:

Why is Onglyza more affordable in Canada than in the United States?

Prescription drug prices, including Onglyza, are generally lower in Canada than in the US due to a combination of factors, primarily government price regulations, differing market dynamics, and other economic considerations. In Canada, provincial and federal governments negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, which often results in lower prices than in the U.S., where market forces play a more significant role. For more information, see the FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/faqs-on-prescription-drug-importation/

How much is the shipping?

Our shipping fee is a flat rate of $10.00 per order. Our pharmacy focuses on offering you the lowest prices on high-quality products.

How do I order from your pharmacy?

Ordering from us is very simple. You can purchase online or call Customer Service at 1866.920.3784; for more information or to learn about the ordering process, visit our How to Order page.

Can I buy Onglyza over the counter from you?

No, Onglyza requires a prescription from your doctor. We are unable to sell this product without a valid prescription from your doctor.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes, we do. It usually takes between 7 and 18 business days to receive your order from our pharmacy.

Does Onglyza cause weight loss?

According to Onglyza.com, this medication is not a weight loss drug, and it does not affect most people’s weight.

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The information on this page is sourced from independent third parties contracted by CanadaPharmacyOnline. While we cannot guarantee its medical accuracy, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding medications or medical conditions.

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