What is Metformin and sitagliptin?
Oral diabetes medications such as sitagliptin and metformin help to control blood sugar levels. Metformin reduces glucose production (sugar) and decreases glucose absorption by the intestines. Sitagliptin regulates the insulin levels your body makes after you eat. Metformin sitagliptin is a combination medication that can be used with exercise and diet to control blood sugar in adults who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin and sitagliptin are not used to treat type 1 diabetes. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of sitagliptin or metformin.
Side effects of Metformin and sitagliptin
If you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling, or skin reactions (such as a burning sensation in the eyes or nose or skin pain), seek emergency medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately: nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeats, and severe abdominal pain that spreads to your lower back. Metformin can cause lactic acidosis. This condition is fatal. Seek emergency medical attention if even minor symptoms, such as:
- Unusual muscle pain;
- Feeling cold
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling dizzy, fatigued, or weak?
- Stomach pain, vomiting;
- Heart rate irregularity
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call your doctor immediately.
- Severe autoimmune reactions—blisters, itching, and breakdown of the outer skin layer;
- You may experience severe pain or persistent joint discomfort.
- Little or no urinating is acceptable.
- Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath (even when lying down) and swelling in the legs and feet.
Side effects associated with metformin or sitagliptin include:
- Low blood sugar
- Upset stomach, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Headache, weakness;
- Cold symptoms like a runny, stuffy, or stuffy nasal passage, sneezing, and sore throat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice about potential side effects, speak to your physician. Report any incidents by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you suffer from severe kidney problems or diabetes ketoacidosis, then it is best to consult your doctor. You could develop lactic acidosis. Lactic acids buildup can occur as a result of poor diet or illness, or through medication prescribed to you by doctors. If you experience unusual pain in your muscles, difficulty breathing, nausea, stomach pain, or dizziness, or feel cold or very tired, call your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you suffer from severe kidney problems or ketoacidosis, you should consult your doctor about insulin treatment.
If you've ever:
- Kidney disease: You may need to have your kidney function checked both before and after taking the medicine.
- Liver Disease
- Heart Disease
- Pancreatitis;
- High triglycerides
- Gallstones;
Lactic acidosis, or the accumulation of harmful lactic acids in your bloodstream, may put you at an increased risk. Chronic alcoholism or severe infections could put you more at risk than others - consult your physician about assessing this level of danger to understand more fully your exposure level. You may have to stop using metformin or sitagliptin temporarily if you are going to undergo surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan that uses a dye injected directly into your veins. Make sure you let your healthcare providers know that this is a medication. If you're pregnant, or if you get pregnant in the future, follow your doctor’s advice about this medication. Metformin can stimulate ovulation and increase unintentional pregnancy risk in premenopausal women. Speak to your doctor about the risks. Breastfeeding may be unsafe while taking this medication. Regarding risks associated with surgery, it is advisable to speak to your physician. The use of this medicine by those under 18 is prohibited.
How to take Metformin and sitagliptin ?
Read all of the instructions or guides that accompany your medication and follow them exactly as indicated by your physician. Occasionally, they may change your dose. It is essential that you take it exactly as prescribed. Metformin and sitagliptin can be taken with food. Do not chew or crush the tablet. Some tablets have a coating that does not melt or absorb into the body. Some of the shell can be found in your stool. It is not harmful and does not affect the effectiveness of your medicine. If you notice a tablet several times in your stool, call your doctor. If you have hypoglycemia, then you may feel irritable or confused. You might also be very hungry. If you want to treat hyperglycemia quickly, consume or drink sugary foods or drinks (fruit juices, candy, crackers, or raisins).If you suffer from severe hypoglycemia, your doctor might prescribe an injection kit. Make sure that your close family members or friends are familiar with how to administer this injection. Watch for symptoms of hyperglycemia, including an increase in thirst or urine output. Stress, illness, surgery, alcohol and skipping meals can all have an effect on blood sugar levels. Always consult with your physician prior to changing or adapting any medications or dosage schedules.
Metformin or sitagliptin are only one part of an overall treatment plan that can include other things like diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as blood glucose testing and medical attention. You should follow your doctor’s advice. You will be required to test your blood frequently. Keep away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:
The dose should be tailored to the patient's existing regimen, its effectiveness, and tolerance.
IMMEDIATE-RELEASE:
Initial dose of sitagliptin/metformin for those not taking metformin
Initial dose: 50 mg of sitagliptin in conjunction with half of the current daily metformin dose, orally two times a day.
EXTENDED-RELEASE:
Initial dose of sitagliptin/metformin for those not taking metformin
Initial dose of metformin for metformin-treated patients: 100mg sitagliptin orally, in conjunction with the current dose.
Titrate the metformin dosage slowly to minimize gastrointestinal effects.
Maximum: Sitagliptin 100 mg/day; Metformin 2000 mg/day
Comments:
If you need to switch between products with immediate release and those that have extended release, the same dose should be taken each day.
To reduce hypoglycemia, it may be necessary, when initiating treatment, to adjust the dose of an insulin secretagogue, such as sulfonylurea or insulin.
When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can improve the glycemic level of patients who have type II diabetes.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are close to your next dose, skip the missed dosage. Never take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. If you have a severe low blood sugar level (such as extreme weakness, nausea or vomiting, tremors and sweating, difficulty speaking, confusion, rapid heartbeats, or seizures), seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Alcohol lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels and can increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis.
Interaction with other drug
This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products. This list does not include all interactions. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
