Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride
About Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride
Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is an antidiabetic medicine used to treat type II diabetes. Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a serious condition wherein the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which causes unusual blood glucose levels.
Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride works by reducing the sugar production by cells in the liver and delaying sugar absorption from the intestine, increasing the amounts of certain natural substances that lower blood sugar when it is high, and stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride may cause certain side effects, such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, frequent urination, and allergic reactions. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor. Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride should be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor about your medical and complete medication history, including herbs and supplements, before starting the treatment with Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride
Medicinal Benefits
- Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is a combination anti-diabetic medicine used to manage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus along with proper diet and exercise.
- It contains Sitagliptin, Metformin, and Glimepiride, which work together to effectively control blood sugar levels.
- Glimepiride (a sulfonylurea) increases insulin release from the pancreas, helping the body utilise glucose effectively.
- Metformin (a biguanide) decreases glucose production in the liver and delays carbohydrate absorption from the intestines.
- Sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) increases levels of incretin hormones, which stimulate insulin release and lower blood sugar when blood glucose is high.
- It promotes the elimination of glucose through urine, aiding in better blood sugar control.
- Consistent blood sugar management helps reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, nerve problems, and vision issues associated with diabetes.
Directions for Use
- Take Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride with food to reduce stomach upset or gastrointestinal side effects.
- Recommended to take it once daily in the morning or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
Drug Warnings
- Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride should be avoided if you are allergic to any of the components in it.
- Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver or kidney disease.
- It is unknown whether Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride can be given to pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while on Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride, as it increases the risk of hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body, which impacts the functioning of various organs in the body).
- Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor about your medical history and the medications you take, including herbs and supplements. This can help prevent unwanted effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride interacts with an antidepressant (bupropion), drugs used to treat glaucoma, antibiotics (cephalexin, ciprofloxacin), anti-acidity drugs (cimetidine), heart condition drugs (digoxin), and anti-epileptic drugs (topiramate, lamotrigine)
Drug-Food Interactions: Intake of excessive alcoholic beverages may increase the chance of a life-threatening condition known as Lactic Acidosis. So, avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have any kidney or liver disease or heart problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol increases the impact of metformin on lactate metabolism. Hence, you should not consume excessive amounts of alcohol, either temporarily or permanently, while taking Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no adequate studies on the effect of Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride.
Breast Feeding
cautionSitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is generally not recommended in breastfeeding. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before using Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride.
Driving
safeSitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionSitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride may cause lactic acidosis due to metformin accumulation. The risk increases with hepatic insufficiency. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionRenal impairment also increases the risk of lactic acidosis. Hence, Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride should be used cautiously if you have kidney problems. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeSitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is not recommended for children below 18 years, as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
- Invest at least 150 minutes of your week in exercise.
- Maintain a healthy body weight, as obesity is also related to the onset of diabetes.
- Maintain a low-fat and low-sugar diet.
- Replace carbohydrate-containing foods with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as carbohydrates turn to sugars, leading to high blood sugar.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride may sometimes cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) as a side effect.
- Try to carry candies or sugar biscuits in your pocket every time you feel symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc.
- Lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Your doctor may advise frequent blood tests to check your blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type II Diabetes Mellitus: It is a chronic and lifelong condition wherein the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which causes unusual blood glucose levels. Therefore, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, weight gain, and blurred vision.
FAQs
Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is an antidiabetic medicine used to treat type II diabetes.
Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride is a combination medicine containing Sitagliptin that enhances glucose-mediated insulin secretion, thereby reducing fasting and post-prandial blood sugar concentrations. Metformin helps reduce the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Glimepiride works by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
If you forget to take Sitagliptin+metformin+glimepiride, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, avoid taking it and do not double-dose to make up the missed dose. Taking an overdose might cause your sugar level to fall rapidly.
