Key takeaways
Saxagliptin (Onglyza) and repaglinide (Prandin) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Saxagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that helps your body produce more insulin by blocking a protein that breaks down insulin-producing hormones. You take it once daily, and it has a low risk of causing weight gain or low blood sugar when used alone. On the other hand, repaglinide is a meglitinide that stimulates your pancreas to release insulin and is taken before each meal. It works quickly to lower blood sugar but can cause weight gain and has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar. Saxagliptin is available in a generic form, while the brand name for repaglinide, Prandin, is no longer available, but the generic version is. Saxagliptin is less likely to cause heart issues, whereas repaglinide should not be used with NPH-insulin due to the risk of heart damage.
