Duetact

What is Duetact?

Duetact is a combination of glimepiride and pioglitazone. Both are oral diabetes medications that help control blood sugar levels. Duetact can be used in conjunction with diet and exercise for adults with type II diabetes mellitus to help control blood sugar levels. Duetact does not treat type I diabetes.

Warnings

Duetact should not be used if you suffer from severe or uncontrolled cardiac failure or active cancer of the bladder. Duetact may cause or worsen congestive cardiac failure. If you experience shortness of breath (even when doing mild exercise), swelling, or rapid growth, call your doctor immediately.

Before you take this drug

Duetact should not be used if:

• Heart failure that is severe or advanced

• Active bladder cancer

• Diabetic ketoacidosis: For treatment options, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Pioglitazone can increase your risk of serious heart problems. Not treating diabetes can cause damage to your heart and organs. Speak to your doctor regarding the risks and benefits associated with Duetact.

Inform your physician of any of the following concerns:

• Heart disease or congestive heart failure?

• Fluid retention;

• Bladder cancer

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• G6PD deficiency is a genetic enzyme deficiency.

• Diabetes can cause eye problems.

• A stroke or heart attack

Duetact may increase your risk for bladder cancer. Speak to your healthcare provider regarding specific risks for you. Additionally, pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant women must abide by their doctor's advice on the appropriate use of Duetact during gestation to manage diabetes properly during gestation and ensure optimal gestational outcomes. High blood sugar can present many difficulties for both mother and baby. Duetact should be suspended shortly before your due date as its use increases risk of breaking bones - talk to your healthcare provider on how you can strengthen them to keep bones strong during and post delivery. Pioglitazone can make you pregnant even if your periods are irregular or premenopausal; be sure to discuss with your healthcare provider whether birth control measures may be required and breastfeeding may not be possible while on this medication, so for your own safety if breastfeeding may become an option please seek professional guidance or speak to your provider immediately if there are concerns over risks involved with taking this treatment plan.

Similar/related drugs

Metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Victoza, Tresiba, and Levemir

How to take Duetact?

Following your doctor's orders and taking Duetact as prescribed is key for an optimal experience with medication. Please read all directions included with your Duetact medication for accurate dosing, which could change from time to time depending on their recommendations. It is vital that the drug be taken exactly how prescribed. Take duetact before your first meal. Hypoglycemia is a condition that can affect anyone with diabetes. A headache is one of the symptoms. Others include dizziness and nausea. Keep a quick-acting sugar source with you, such as hard candy, crackers, or raisins. If you are suffering from severe hypoglycemia and can't eat or drink anything, your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit. Make sure that your family members and friends are familiar with how to administer this emergency injection.

Watch for other signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), such as increased thirst or urination. Also, look out for blurred vision, headaches, and fatigue. Exercise, alcohol, or skipping meals can affect blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or dose schedule. Duetact may be part of a larger treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as blood sugar testing, eye exams, and other medical attention. You should follow your doctor's advice. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not being used.

Details on dosage

Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:

Individualize dosage based on safety, efficacy, and prior therapy.

Initial dose: 30 mg pioglitazone with two (2 mg or four (4 mg) microgliadin capsules orally administered each morning before breakfast, taken on an empty stomach.

For patients with inadequate control on glimepiride alone: Pioglitazone (30 mg)-glimepiride (2 mg) or pioglitazone (30 mg) -glimepiride (4 mg), orally, once daily

For patients with inadequate control on pioglitazone alone: Pioglitazone (30 mg) and glimepiride (2 mg) orally, once daily

For patients who are receiving pioglitazone or glimepiride individually, start with a combination product that contains doses as close to each component as possible.

For patients who are currently taking a different type of sulfonylurea or have switched from a combination therapy that includes pioglitazone and sulfonylurea, the following dosage is recommended: 30 mg pioglitazone and 2 mg glimepiride orally once daily

For patients with systolic dysfunction, start with pioglitazone alone and begin combination therapy only after the patient has tolerated pioglitazone from 15 mg to 30mg.

Maintenance Dose: Gradually increase the dose according to the therapeutic response of each component and its tolerance.

Comments:

Take the first meal of each day.

For patients who are switching from another sulfonylurea to this one, monitor hypoglycemia carefully for 1 to 2 weeks due to the potential drug effect overlap.

If hypoglycemia is observed in a patient who has been co-administered insulin, the dose should be decreased.

If hypoglycemia is observed in the co-administered patient's insulin, the insulin dosage should be reduced by 10% to 25%, with further adjustments made based on the glycemic reaction.

Use: To improve glycemic management in patients with type II diabetes who have already been treated with a combination of thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas or who do not achieve adequate glycemic regulation with either a single thiazolidinedione or a single sulfonylurea.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses in one sitting.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Duetact can cause severe hypoglycemia.

What should be avoided?

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels and can interfere with diabetes treatment. Sunburn could be exacerbated by this medicine. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. Wear protective clothing when outdoors and use sunblock with SPF 30 protection or higher for the best possible protection from UV radiation.

Side effects of Duetact

If you experience symptoms like hives, difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling or severe skin reactions (fever or sore throat with burning eyes; skin pain/blisters; red/purple rashes etc), seek medical assistance immediately.

If you experience:

• Pink or red urine; painful or difficult urination; a new or worsening urge or need to urinate

• Changes in your vision

• You may experience a sudden, unusual pain in the hand, foot, or arm.

• Liver problem: upper stomach pain; nausea: tiredness, lack of appetite, dark urine; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);

• Symptoms of heart failure: shortness of breath (even when lying down), swelling of your legs or feet, and rapid weight gain.

Some of the common duetactide side effects include:

• Headache;

• Muscle pain

• Nausea, diarrhea;

• Cold symptoms include stuffy noses, sinus pains, sneezing, and sore throats.

There may be other side effects.Call your physician immediately if experiencing side effects; for reporting side effects contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drug

Inform your doctor if insulin is used. Duetact can increase the risk of heart problems if you use insulin. Duetact might not work well if you are taking other medications at the same time. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass every possible interaction.Inform your doctor of all medications you begin or stop taking.