saxagliptin (Onglyza)

following a full submission:

saxagliptin (Onglyza) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as add-on combination therapy with metformin, when metformin alone, with diet and exercise, does not provide adequate glycaemic control.

It is restricted to use in patients only when the addition of sulphonylureas is not appropriate, and represents an alternative to other agents such as thiazolidinediones. Efficacy, as assessed by measurement of HbA1c, is comparable to another dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. It appears to have minimal effect on body weight.

Saxagliptin is also licensed for use in combination with sulphonylureas or thiazolidinedione drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The manufacturer’s submission related only to the use of saxagliptin in combination with metformin. SMC cannot recommend the use of saxagliptin in combination with sulphonylureas or thiazolidinediones.