Onglyza

Onglyza is a prescription medicine licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has several effects on the body, including increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of glucose that the liver produces. The medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily. This product is only approved for use in adults.

Onglyza Medication Information

What Is Onglyza?

Onglyza™ (saxagliptin) is a prescription diabetes medication approved to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It is the second approved medication belonging to a class of diabetes medicines known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Sitagliptin (Januvia^®) was the first medication approved in this class.

(Click Onglyza Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Onglyza?

Onglyza is made by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and is marketed by BMS and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.

How Does Onglyza Work?

Onglyza is part of a class of diabetes medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

DPP-4 is an enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones.

As a DPP-4 inhibitor, Onglyza slows down the breakdown of incretin hormones, increasing the level of these hormones in the body. It is this increase in incretin hormones that is responsible for the beneficial actions of Onglyza, including increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of glucose (sugar) that the liver produces.

Because incretin hormones are more active in response to higher blood sugar levels (and are less active in response to low blood sugar), the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is low with Onglyza.

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