Canagliflozin+metformin
About Canagliflozin+metformin
Canagliflozin+metformin is a prescription medication used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It serves as an important therapeutic option when lifestyle changes like diet and exercise alone do not provide adequate glycemic control. By keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range, it helps lower the risk of serious long-term complications associated with diabetes.
For this medication to work effectively, you must take it consistently every day at the same time, exactly as directed by your doctor. It is typically taken with meals to reduce the likelihood of stomach upset. To achieve the best results, you should use this medication in combination with a balanced diet low in simple carbohydrates and regular, moderate physical exercise.
While taking Canagliflozin+metformin, you may experience mild and manageable side effects such as temporary stomach discomfort or an increased need to urinate. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms like extreme weakness, breathing difficulties, severe abdominal pain, or signs of a severe urinary tract infection.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medication if you have a history of kidney disease, liver problems, heart failure, or frequent urinary tract infections. Do not take this if you have severe kidney impairment, are on dialysis, or have a history of diabetic ketoacidosis or metabolic acidosis.
This medicine can interact with other treatments, such as water pills or blood pressure medications, which may require your doctor to adjust your therapy. Limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as alcohol increases the risk of serious metabolic complications. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your healthcare provider to discuss whether this medication is appropriate for you.
Uses of Canagliflozin+metformin
Medicinal Benefits
This medicine provides meaningful daily benefits that help you manage your health more comfortably:
- Stable blood sugar levels: By preventing sharp spikes in glucose after eating, it helps you maintain more consistent energy levels throughout the day and reduces the fatigue caused by high blood sugar.
- Heart and kidney protection: Controlling your blood sugar levels reduces chronic strain on your blood vessels, helping to preserve your long-term heart and kidney health.
- Simplified daily routine: Because it combines two complementary active components into a single tablet, it reduces the number of pills you need to take each day, making it easier to stay on track with your treatment.
Directions for Use
- Canagliflozin+metformin should be taken with meals.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Canagliflozin+metformin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Canagliflozin+metformin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach, nausea, or mild diarrhoea
- Increased frequency or urgency of urination
- Mild genital yeast infections (in both men and women)
- Dry mouth or increased thirst
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of lactic acidosis (extreme tiredness, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, deep and rapid breathing, coldness in hands or feet, or a slow heart rate)
- Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, confusion, unusual sleepiness, or breathing difficulties, even if blood sugar levels are normal)
- Severe urinary tract infections (burning sensation during urination, cloudy urine, back pain, or fever)
- Severe dehydration (severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when standing up)
- Serious allergic reactions (skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the medicine before use: Do not take the tablet if the packaging is damaged or if the tablet is cracked, broken, or discoloured.
- Before surgery or dental procedures: Tell your doctor, surgeon, or dentist that you are taking Canagliflozin+metformin well in advance, as your treatment may need to be stopped temporarily before certain procedures.
- Alcohol: Limit or avoid alcohol while taking Canagliflozin+metformin, as it may increase the risk of a build-up of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis).
- Watch for low blood sugar: Carry a fast-acting source of sugar, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular (non-diet) soft drinks, especially if you are also taking other diabetes medicines that can lower blood sugar.
- Regular monitoring: Attend all follow-up appointments and blood tests. Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar, kidney function, and liver function during treatment.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Canagliflozin+metformin and require closer monitoring or dose adjustments:
- Water pills (diuretics): Taking these with Canagliflozin+metformin can significantly increase your risk of dehydration and dangerously low blood pressure.
- Insulin or sulfonylureas: Combining these blood sugar-lowering medicines with Canagliflozin+metformin can increase your risk of low blood sugar, which may require your doctor to adjust your doses.
- Blood pressure medications (specifically ACE inhibitors or ARBs): May increase the risk of kidney function changes when taken together.
- Iodinated contrast media (used in medical imaging scans): Can temporarily impair kidney function and increase the risk of lactic acidosis; you must stop taking Canagliflozin+metformin before and for a short period after these scans as directed by your physician.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like lactic acidosis and increase the risk of developing low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionCanagliflozin in Canagliflozin+metformin is not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest other medications to control your blood sugar levels. Please consult your doctor before starting Canagliflozin+metformin if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionCanagliflozin+metformin may be unsafe to use during breastfeeding since it is excreted into the breast milk. Please seek medical advice for further information.
Driving
cautionYour driving may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when prescribed Canagliflozin+metformin.
Kidney
unsafeCanagliflozin+metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment/kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Canagliflozin+metformin.
Children
unsafeCanagliflozin+metformin is not recommended for people younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This medicine increases urination, which can raise the risk of dehydration, especially in hot weather or during intense physical activity.
- Eat a structured diet: Focus on a balanced meal plan rich in fiber, whole grains, and lean proteins, while avoiding foods high in simple sugars and processed carbohydrates.
- Maintain daily foot care: Inspect your feet every day for cuts, redness, sores, or swelling, and report any changes to your doctor immediately.
- Prioritise personal hygiene: Practice careful genital hygiene to minimise the risk of developing yeast or urinary tract infections, which are more common due to the increased sugar in your urine.
- Monitor blood glucose: Keep a regular log of your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare team to ensure you remain within your target range.
Special Advise
It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
If you need to undergo any x-ray or CT scan using a dye that should be injected into your veins, your doctor may suggest you to stop taking Canagliflozin+metformin temporarily.
Regular monitoring of kidney functioning is advised while using Canagliflozin+metformin.
Canagliflozin in Canagliflozin+metformin may make you test positive for a urine glucose test, hence inform your doctor in advance that you take Canagliflozin+metformin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus 2, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is a type 2 diabetes and occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produce little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people aged above 40 years, but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors. The treatment includes oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin shots.
FAQs
Canagliflozin+metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus with a proper diet and exercise. It also lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure in type 2 diabetic patients with heart diseases.
Canagliflozin+metformin contains two antidiabetic medicines: Metformin and Canagliflozin. These drugs lower the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus by eliminating excess sugars through urine and increasing insulin activity. Canagliflozin+metformin also reduces the risk of death due to heart attack, stroke and end-stage kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients with heart/kidney diseases.
Canagliflozin+metformin may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and can make you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Canagliflozin+metformin with a meal. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, it is advised to eat or drink fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins or non-diet soda. Consult your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may advise Canagliflozin+metformin with or without other medications to control your blood sugar levels. However, it is advised to maintain a proper diet and exercise to achieve the controlled blood sugar levels while using Canagliflozin+metformin with or without other antidiabetic drugs.
Canagliflozin+metformin should be used with caution in heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, blood disorders, dehydration, alcohol use, foot ulcers, nerve damage, low blood pressure and yeast infection of genitals. Canagliflozin+metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment and diabetic ketoacidosis.
While using Canagliflozin+metformin, if you experience vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, muscle cramps, sick feeling, severe tiredness, difficulty in breathing or reduced body temperature and heartbeat, it is important to seek immediate medical help since these are the symptoms of lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a rare but a serious complication caused due to accumulation of metformin. It is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment. Please consult your doctor for further information.
It is not recommended to use Canagliflozin+metformin along with water pills/diuretics. Simultaneous use of Canagliflozin+metformin and water pills causes dehydration and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Yes, long term use of metformin in Canagliflozin+metformin may cause a decrease in the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood, especially if you have had low vitamin B12 blood levels before. Consult your doctor for further advice.
No, this medication is generally not recommended during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters, or while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor to discuss safer, alternative methods for managing your blood sugar during this time.
This medicine works by removing excess sugar from your body through your urine. Because yeast thrives on sugar, the increased sugar content in your urinary tract can lead to yeast infections. Maintaining good daily hygiene and staying hydrated can help reduce this risk. Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms.
If you feel shaky, sweaty, dizzy, or have a fast heartbeat, consume a fast-acting source of sugar immediately, such as three to four glucose tablets or half a cup of fruit juice. Rest and monitor your symptoms. Talk to your doctor if these episodes happen frequently.
Yes, your doctor will request routine laboratory tests to monitor your kidney function, liver health, and haemoglobin A1c levels to ensure the medication is working safely and effectively. Talk to your doctor about your regular testing schedule.
No, you should not stop taking this medicine without consulting your healthcare provider. Your blood sugar is controlled because the medicine is actively working; stopping it abruptly can cause your blood sugar levels to rise again. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
While this medicine is not a weight-loss product, some patients may notice a modest reduction in weight as a side effect because the body is excreting calories in the form of sugar through the urine. Talk to your doctor for a complete, healthy weight-management plan.
This medication causes your body to lose more fluids through your urine as it filters out excess sugar. If you do not drink enough water, this increased urination can lead to dehydration and low blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty maintaining your fluid intake.
No, you will typically need to temporarily stop taking this medication before and for at least 48 hours after any imaging scan that uses contrast dye, as the combination can place extra stress on your kidneys. Talk to your doctor for precise instructions before your procedure.
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