*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

How And When To Take Saxagliptin

NHS medicines information on dosage for saxagliptin, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

Dosage and strength

Saxagliptin comes as 2.5mg or 5mg tablets. The usual dose is 5mg a day.

Your doctor might give you a lower dose of 2.5mg a day if you:

have problems with your kidneys
take other diabetes medicines, such as insulin

How to take it

Take saxagliptin once a day.

You can take it at any time - for example, in the morning or in the evening. Just try to take it at the same time every day.

Take your tablet with a drink of water. Swallow the tablet whole, without breaking it.

You can take saxagliptin with or without food.

How long to take it for

Saxagliptin helps keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible to prevent health problems.

You'll probably have to take it for a long time, even for the rest of your life.

Over time it gets harder to control blood sugar levels, so your doctor might eventually recommend stopping saxagliptin and trying a different treatment.

Do not stop taking saxagliptin without speaking to your doctor.

If you forget to take it

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicines.

If you take too much

Contact 111 for advice now if:

you take more than your prescribed dose of saxagliptin and:

you have stomach pains
you are feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
you feel dizzy
you are worried

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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