Has your doctor prescribed you a new medication to control your diabetes? Is the name of that medication both Canagliflozin and Metformin? If so, this article will be very important for you. Sometimes, when your doctor prescribes a medication, you may not know the exact details about it. Don't worry, today we will simply talk about this medication, what it does, and what you need to be careful about while taking it.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. That is, both Canagliflozin and Metformin are contained in one pill. This is given to people with Type 2 Diabetes. The main function of this is to control the sugar level in your body, that is, the level of glucose in the blood.
But remember one thing. You cannot control diabetes by taking this medicine alone. You should use this medicine in conjunction with proper diet and exercise . Without those two, it is difficult to expect great results from this medicine alone.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
This is very important. It is for your own safety to inform your doctor about any health problems you have. If you have any of the conditions in the table below, be sure to tell them before starting this medicine.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Kidney or liver disease | Because these organs are directly involved in the process of eliminating this medication from the body, it is essential to know about their function. |
| Heart disease, high cholesterol, or low blood pressure | Your doctor should be aware of your heart condition, as the medication's effects can affect your heart and blood circulation. |
| If you drink alcohol regularly | Combining alcohol and Metformin increases the risk of developing a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis. |
| If you have previously had Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) | Because this medication can sometimes increase the risk of DKA, it is important to inform about previous history. |
| If you have frequent urinary tract infections or yeast infections in the genital area | Because the drug canagliflozin increases the amount of sugar in the urine, the risk of these infections may increase. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So be sure to tell your doctor about this. |
| If you are scheduled to undergo surgery, an MRI, or a CT scan soon | Please inform us in advance as it may be necessary to temporarily stop the medication before such situations. |
| If you have an allergy to any other medicine, food or substance | It is very important that your doctor is aware of your allergy history. |
The correct way to take medicine
This is very simple.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- The most important thing is that this medicine should always be taken with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Doctors usually recommend taking it with breakfast.
- Take only the prescribed dose, at the time prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dose as you wish or take it more often than prescribed.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly for any reason without consulting your doctor.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
What if I forget to take my medicine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You need to think a little more about your health when taking this medicine.
- Checking Blood Sugar Levels: Learn how to check your blood sugar levels at home. Be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and what to do if they occur.
- If your blood sugar drops: Always keep something nearby that can quickly restore your blood sugar, such as a glucose toffee or a sugar cube. If you feel faint and have low blood sugar, tell your family members that they may choke if you try to give them something to eat or drink. If this happens, you should seek medical advice immediately.
- HbA1c test: Your doctor will do this test every 2-3 months. This test checks how well your diabetes has been controlled over the past few months.
- Don't skip meals: Eat at the right time.
- Vitamin B12: Some people may experience low levels of vitamin B12 when taking metformin long-term. If you experience symptoms like numbness in your hands and feet or dizziness, tell your doctor . He or she may prescribe a vitamin supplement if necessary.
- Medical ID: Wearing a card or bracelet that lists your diabetes and the medications you take is very important in an emergency.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone gets them. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.
| Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Lactic Acidosis | Extreme fatigue, muscle cramps, stomach ache, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting. (This is a very serious condition). |
| Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) | Dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fruity breath odor, difficulty breathing, stomach ache. |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | Urinary tract infection, frequent urination, blood in the urine, back or pelvic pain. |
| Leg or foot problems | New pain, sores, ulcers, skin discoloration, or infection in the leg. |
| Common symptoms that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach ache, bloating, nausea, vomiting, gas (often occur early in the course of taking the medicine and then disappear). |
| Headache | A common headache. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine with a meal, as directed by your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Be aware of the symptoms of low and high blood sugar levels.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, severe stomach pain, or a new leg ulcer, see a doctor immediately.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without medical advice.
- Don't forget that to properly control diabetes, diet and exercise are essential, as well as medication.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Canagliflozin and Metformin (Canagliflozin; Metformin / Invokamet) used for?
This is a highly effective combination therapy pill that controls high blood sugar levels (HbA1c) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes! Doctors recommend this special pill, which is mixed with the new heart-healthy Canagliflozin, for those whose sugar levels are not controlled with Metformin alone.
💬 How do these two drugs (Metformin + SGLT2 inhibitor) together lower our sugar?
It attacks from both sides! 1. Metformin reduces the production of new sugar (glucose) in your liver and forces the remaining sugar to be absorbed into your muscles. 2. The other magic is Canagliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitor)! Normally, our kidneys reabsorb all the sugar in our urine back into the blood. This one blocks that '100% of the sugar absorption from the kidneys' and completely flushes out the excess sugar in your body through the urine.
💬 Even though diabetes is reduced, what are the specific side effects that people taking these pills should be aware of?
The biggest problem is the problems caused by Canagliflozin! When a lot of sugar (honey) is excreted in the urine, fungi/yeast and bacteria can grow in those places where you urinate/private areas (Genital mycotic infections / UTI) and can even be fatal, causing the area to rot and be cut out alive (Fournier's Gangrene)! Also, frequent urination can lead to dehydration and low blood pressure.
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