Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin
About Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is a prescription medication used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It combines two different medicines in a single tablet to help your body lower daily blood glucose levels. When used alongside proper lifestyle changes, this medicine helps reduce the risk of serious complications associated with high blood sugar.
For the best results, you should take Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin consistently every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food, typically once daily in the morning. Incorporating a balanced, low-sugar diet and regular moderate physical activity will significantly support the effectiveness of your treatment.
While taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, some people may experience mild side effects like respiratory tract infections or urinary tract infections. It is important to watch for rare but serious issues, such as severe stomach pain, dehydration, or signs of a serious genital infection, and contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Before starting Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, tell your doctor if you have a history of pancreatitis, heart failure, liver problems, or frequent urinary tract infections. Do not take this if you have severe kidney disease, require dialysis, or have a history of serious allergic reactions to this medication or similar blood sugar therapies.
This medication can interact with other diabetes drugs like insulin, which may increase your risk of low blood sugar, and alcohol, which may increase the risk of dehydration and may also increase the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in some people. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are over the age of 65, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is appropriate for your specific health needs.
Uses of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin
Medicinal Benefits
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It combines two medicines that work through different mechanisms to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels and support long-term diabetes management.
- Improves Blood Sugar Control: Helps lower blood glucose levels throughout the day, including after meals, for better overall diabetes management.
- Works Through Dual Mechanisms: Helps increase insulin release when needed and removes excess glucose through the urine, providing comprehensive blood sugar control.
- Reduces Symptoms of High Blood Sugar: Helps relieve symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, and blurred vision associated with uncontrolled diabetes.
- Supports Long-Term Health: Good blood sugar control helps reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
- Complements a Healthy Lifestyle: Works best when combined with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine blood sugar monitoring.
Directions for Use
- Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin can be taken with or without food. However, inform your doctor before taking this medication if you are on a low-sodium diet, as it may increase the risk of dehydration.
- It is recommended to take Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin once daily in the morning, or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew, or crush it.
Storage
Side Effects of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Urinary tract infection signs including burning sensation during urination or more frequent urination
- Yeast infections in the genital area
- Running nose, sore throat, or sinus congestion
- Mild headache or nausea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing
- Severe, persistent pain in your abdomen that may reach your back, which can be a sign of pancreas inflammation
- Dehydration symptoms, including severe dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, or fainting
- Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, deep or rapid breathing, unusual sleepiness, or a sweet, fruity breath odour
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor your kidney function: Your doctor should perform blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working before you start taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin and periodically during your treatment.
- Watch for signs of genital infections: Check for redness, swelling, itching, or unusual discharge in the genital area, and report these to your doctor promptly.
- Check for ketones if you feel unwell: If you experience nausea, vomiting, or breathing difficulties, check your blood or urine ketones if possible, as this medicine can rarely cause a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis even when blood sugar levels seem normal.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of low blood sugar or pancreatic inflammation while taking this medication.
- Be aware of low blood sugar signs: Know how to recognise and manage low blood sugar (such as sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, or confusion), especially if you take Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin alongside other diabetes medications.
Drug Interactions
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin may interact with certain medicines, affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Insulin and sulfonylureas: Combining Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin with these medications may significantly increase the risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses.
- Diuretics (water pills): Taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin with water pills can increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeDapagliflozin+saxagliptin is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known if Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin passes into breast milk. Therefore, avoid taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin if you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionGenerally, Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin does not affect your ability to drive. However, in some cases, Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin can cause dizziness or low blood sugar, leading to sweating, shakiness, and changes in vision. Therefore, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
consult your doctorDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeDapagliflozin+saxagliptin is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Because this medication helps your body remove sugar through your urine, it can increase urination and fluid loss. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Monitor your carbohydrate intake: Work with a dietitian to plan meals with a consistent amount of complex carbohydrates, which helps prevent sharp spikes in your blood sugar.
- Incorporate regular physical activity: Engage in moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week. Physical activity helps your muscles use insulin more effectively.
- Perform daily foot checks: People with diabetes should inspect their feet daily for cuts, sores, or red spots. Proper foot care is vital to prevent infections, especially since urinary sugar excretion can slightly increase infection risks.
- Test your blood sugar regularly: Keep track of your glucose readings as recommended by your healthcare provider to understand how your body responds to the medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor blood glucose levels while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
- Try not to skip any doses and take Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you.
- Your urine will test positive for sugar whilst on treatment with Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. Inform the person doing the test that you are taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
- Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin might alter laboratory tests such as creatinine, renal clearance, and haematocrit. Inform the person doing the test that you are taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
- Kidney function should be checked before starting and whilst on treatment with Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type-2 diabetes mellitus: It is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic or lifelong disease that keeps the body from utilising insulin properly. Diabetes is a medical condition in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced cannot perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Middle-aged or older individuals are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes; hence, it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes symptoms include lack of energy, tiredness, frequent urination, excess thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, constant hunger, weight loss, and itchy skin.
FAQs
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is an anti-diabetic medicine used to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin contains Saxagliptin and Dapagliflozin. Saxagliptin enhances glucose-mediated insulin secretion, thereby reducing fasting and post-prandial blood sugar concentrations. Dapagliflozin removes excess sugar from the body via urine. Together, Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin helps treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Do not stop taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin without consulting your doctor, as it may cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Continue taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
Dehydration could be a side effect of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. Drink plenty of fluids if you experience any symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, feeling thirsty, tiredness, sleepiness, passing less urine, and a fast heartbeat.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin may sometimes lower the blood glucose levels more than normal, leading to hypoglycemia. Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. Hypoglycemia symptoms include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, shakiness, faintness, confusion, and visual disturbances.
Maintain a healthy diet by regularly consuming carbohydrates. Eat your meals regularly, and do not exercise strenuously for extended periods on an empty stomach.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, if you have type-1 diabetes mellitus, pancreas disorder, AIDS, reduced kidney function, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease, liver problems, high/low blood pressure, infections, if you are older than 75years, if you are taking insulin, sulphonylurea or pioglitazone. Also, inform your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking and your health condition. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is not recommended in patients with a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, moderate to severe renal (kidney) impairment, end-stage renal (kidney) disease (ESRD), or patients on dialysis. Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is not recommended for use by children below 18 years of age. Also, inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or planning pregnancy before taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. However, consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is generally safe for people with normal kidney function. However, it should be used with caution in individuals with moderate to severe kidney impairment or those on dialysis. Dapagliflozin in Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin works by helping the kidneys remove glucose from the bloodstream, which can be problematic for those with existing kidney issues. Therefore, it's important to inform your doctor of any history of kidney problems before starting Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
Yes, it is important to manage your diet and exercise while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. Managing blood sugar levels properly requires not only medication but also a good diet and regular exercise. Therefore, a well-balanced diet is part of a healthy lifestyle for people with type 2 diabetes.
If you accidentally take more than the prescribed dose of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, it can lead to serious side effects, including life-threatening hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms of severe hypoglycaemia include, extreme weakness, tremors, confusion, sweating, trouble speaking, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, seizures, and fainting. If you experience any these symptoms or suspect you have taken an overdose, please consult your doctor immediately.
Yes, Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a common side effect. To prevent this, it's important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help flush out bacteria. Maintain good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Monitor signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as pain or burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, or cloudy urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult your doctor.
The duration for which you need to take Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin depends on your individual health condition and how well you respond to the treatment. Typically, it is used as a long-term medication to help manage type 2 diabetes. Therefore, do not stop using Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin without consulting your doctor and continue using Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin as long as your has prescribed you.
If you miss a dose of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and take your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take double dose to make up for the missed one.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is generally considered as safe for long-term use only when prescribed by your doctor. However, it's important to have regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your kidney function and overall health while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin.
The common side effects of Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin are urinary tract infection, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), upper respiratory tract infection, and dyslipidaemia (high levels of lipids). Consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
If you experience shakiness, sweating, or a fast heartbeat, consume a fast-acting source of sugar, like fruit juice or hard candy, right away. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical help and talk to your doctor about adjusting your medications.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin. Alcohol can increase your risk of dangerous complications, including severe low blood sugar and inflammation of the pancreas. Talk to your doctor about safe alcohol limits.
One of the active ingredients in Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin causes your body to get rid of extra sugar through your urine, which increases urination and can lead to dehydration. Drinking plenty of water helps protect your kidneys and prevents dizziness. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about fluid intake.
Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin generally does not cause weight gain. In fact, some people may experience modest weight loss because dapagliflozin removes excess sugar and calories through the urine. However, Dapagliflozin+saxagliptin is not a weight-loss medicine. Maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise, and consult your doctor if you notice significant or unexpected weight changes.
