Metformin+dapagliflozin
About Metformin+dapagliflozin
Metformin+dapagliflozin is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood to become too high. It's a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life. You may need to change your diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups to lead a normal life.
Metformin+dapagliflozin is composed of dapagliflozin and metformin. This medicine works by blocking the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) enzyme. This lowers renal reabsorption of glucose and increases urine excretion of glucose via inhibiting SGLT2.
In some cases, you may experience specific common side effects, such as frequent urination, mild skin rash or itchy skin, or diarrhoea, stomach ache, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens (if your blood sugar is too high or too low).
Do not take Metformin+dapagliflozin if you are allergic to any component present in Metformin+dapagliflozin. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking Metformin+dapagliflozin. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Metformin+dapagliflozin since it may produce unpleasant side effects. Before starting Metformin+dapagliflozin, let your doctor know if you have any history of heart, kidney or liver disease; breathing problems; blood disorders; dehydration; alcohol use, low blood pressure; and yeast infection of the genitals. Metformin+dapagliflozin should not be taken if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus or severe kidney or liver disease.
Uses of Metformin+dapagliflozin
Medicinal Benefits
- Metformin+dapagliflozin treats type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains Metformin and Dapagliflozin.
- Metformin is considered a unique antidiabetic drug since it does not cause hypoglycemia (lowered blood sugar levels). It lowers your blood sugar levels by improving how your body handles insulin.
- Dapagliflozin belongs to the class of gliflozins. It works by reducing blood sugar levels by eliminating excess sugars from the body through urine. Metformin+dapagliflozin also reduces the risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Metformin+dapagliflozin may be advised with or without other medications along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels.
- It reduces blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It does this by helping remove excess sugar from your body through your pee.
- Metformin+dapagliflozin also helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes such as kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy), blindness (diabetic retinopathy), loss of sensation in your hands and feet (Diabetic Neuropathy) or even loss of a foot.
Directions for Use
• Take Metformin+dapagliflozin with meals or as advised by your doctor. • It is advised to take Metformin+dapagliflozin once daily; however, follow your doctor’s recommendation regarding the dosage and duration. • Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. • Do not crush, chew or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Metformin+dapagliflozin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Weakness
- Runny nose
- Genital infection
- Dizziness
- Taste changes
- Sore throat
Drug Warnings
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to dapagliflozin and metformin or have other allergies.
- This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
- Metformin+dapagliflozin should not be stopped even if you feel better, without consulting your doctor, as your sugar level keeps changing.
- If you stop taking Metformin+dapagliflozin abruptly, it may increase your sugar levels, which could further increase the risk of eyesight loss (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy).
- Metformin+dapagliflozin should not be taken if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus or severe kidney or liver disease.
- It's generally not recommended to take dapagliflozin during pregnancy/breastfeeding. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Metformin+dapagliflozin is only for adults (above 18 years). It is not recommended for anyone aged 85 years or older.
- It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as when you have a fever, infection, injury, or surgery).
- Also, if you eat less or cannot eat due to these conditions or any illness, this can lead to other side effects while taking this medication.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Metformin+dapagliflozin may interact with water pills (hydrochlorothiazide), pain killers (ibuprofen, celecoxib), drugs that treat acidity (cimetidine), asthma medicines, blood pressure-lowering drugs, and corticosteroids.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol intake since it increases the risk of lactic acidosis.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Tell your doctor before taking Metformin+dapagliflozin if you have any heart, kidney or liver disease, breathing problems, blood disorders, dehydration, alcohol use, low blood pressure, and yeast infection ofthe genitals. Metformin+dapagliflozin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment and metabolic acidosis/diabetic ketoacidosis.
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
unsafeDapagliflozin in Metformin+dapagliflozin is not recommended during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest other medications to control your blood sugar levels. Please consult your doctor before starting Metformin+dapagliflozin if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMetformin+dapagliflozin may be unsafe to use during breastfeeding since it is excreted into the breast milk. Please seek medical advice for further information.
Driving
unsafeYour 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
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when prescribed Metformin+dapagliflozin.
Kidney
unsafeMetformin+dapagliflozin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment/kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Metformin+dapagliflozin.
Children
unsafeMetformin+dapagliflozin is not recommended for people younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals if you take Metformin+dapagliflozin for more than once per day. Do not use other over the counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Metformin+dapagliflozin.
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain your blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
- Your doctor also guides you on noticing and managing the early symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels.
- Gastrointestinal side effects can be managed with simple modifications in your lifestyle. These include cutting down on sugars and fatty foods, avoiding carbonated drinks and foods that cause gas.
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 stop taking Metformin+dapagliflozin temporarily.
Regular monitoring of kidney functioning is advised while using Metformin+dapagliflozin.
Metformin+dapagliflozin may make you test positive for a urine glucose test, hence inform your doctor in advance that you take Metformin+dapagliflozin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is 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) produces 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
Metformin+dapagliflozin belongs to the class of antidiabetic drugs, primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus with a proper diet and exercise. Metformin+dapagliflozin also lowers the risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetic patients with heart diseases.
Metformin+dapagliflozin contains two antidiabetic medicines: Metformin and Dapagliflozin. These drugs lower the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus by eliminating excess sugars through urine and also by increasing the activity of insulin.
Metformin+dapagliflozin may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and can make you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Metformin+dapagliflozin 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.
Your doctor may advise Metformin+dapagliflozin 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 Metformin+dapagliflozin with or without other antidiabetic drugs.
Metformin+dapagliflozin should be used with caution in heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems (asthma, obstructive lung disease), blood disorders (anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), dehydration, alcohol use, low blood pressure, pancreas problems/surgery, and yeast infection of genitals. Metformin+dapagliflozin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment and metabolic acidosis/diabetic ketoacidosis.
While using Metformin+dapagliflozin, 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 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 Metformin+dapagliflozin along with water pills/diuretics. Simultaneous use of Metformin+dapagliflozin 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.
The side effects of Metformin+dapagliflozin include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and genital infections. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
You are recommended to consult your doctor before taking Metformin+dapagliflozin with insulin as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You may need a dose adjustment or regular monitoring of blood sugar to use these medicines safely.
No, avoid taking Metformin+dapagliflozin if you have any kidney problems, as it works by excreting excess sugar through urine.
No, usually Metformin+dapagliflozin does not cause loss of body weight. On the other hand, rapid loss of body weight is a sign of a Diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious medical condition.
No, Metformin+dapagliflozin is only useful in type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which the body either produces less amount of insulin or cannot utilise it.
