If you are also suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, your doctor may have prescribed you a pill that is made up of more than one medication. Trijardy XR is one such pill, a special combination of three medications that helps control diabetes. So today, let's talk about this medicine, what it does, and what you need to be careful about while using it.
Simply put, what happens with this medicine?
There are three main types of this medication: Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and Metformin . All three of these work together to do several things in your body.
- Reduces blood sugar levels.
- For some people, this also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke that can occur due to diabetes.
But remember, taking this medicine alone is not enough. A good diet and exercise are also essential parts of this treatment. This medicine is only given for type 2 diabetes, it is not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes.
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor . This is very important for your safety.
| Information type | Situations to be careful about |
|---|---|
| Existing medical conditions | Kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, low blood pressure, anemia, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetic ketoacidosis. |
| Lifestyle-related matters | If you drink alcohol frequently, follow a low-salt diet, have reduced food intake due to surgery, illness, or other reasons, or if your body is dehydrated. |
| Allergies and pregnancy | If you are allergic to this medicine or any other medicine or food. If you have previously had difficulty breathing with swelling of the tongue, face, or lips. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Other special points | If you are on hemodialysis, have difficulty urinating, have a serious infection or wound, or are uncircumcised. |
How to use the medicine correctly?
- Take this medicine with breakfast with a glass of water.
- Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
- Do not break, crush, or chew this pill. Swallow it whole. Because this is an Extended-Release (XR) pill, it is designed to release the medicine into the body over several hours. If you break it, that process will be lost.
- Do not stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
- You may see something like a whole pill coming out with your stool. This is normal, don't worry. It's the empty shell that remains after the medicine in the pill is absorbed into your body.
What if the dose increases?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But 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.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you are taking may interact with this medicine, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products) .
Be especially careful: It is very dangerous to take this medicine with certain contrast agents, such as Dofetilide and Gatifloxacin, which are injected into the body before tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
The medications below may interact with this medication, so it is essential to inform your doctor if you are taking any of these.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease | Diuretics (medicines that cause increased urination), Digoxin, Ranolazine |
| Some medications for seizures | Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Topiramate |
| Types of hormones and steroids | Estrogen, Progestin, Prednisone, Cortisone, Thyroid medications |
| Various other medicines and substances | Alcohol, Acetazolamide, Cimetidine, Rifampin, St. John's Wort, some medications for HIV/Hepatitis, Niacin |
The most important things to consider when taking medication
- Lactic Acidosis: This medication can sometimes cause a dangerous increase in the acidity of the blood (lactic acidosis). If you experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, extreme fatigue, or difficulty breathing , stop taking the medication immediately and talk to your doctor.
- HbA1C test: To see how well your diabetes is controlled, your doctor will order a blood test called HbA1C , which is done every 2-3 months.
- Be aware of your blood sugar levels: Learn the symptoms of low (hypoglycemia) and high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels. Always keep something handy, such as a glucose bar, sugar cube, or sugary drink, to take immediately if your blood sugar drops.
- Don't skip meals: Never skip meals. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption.
- Pregnancy and birth control: This medication may increase ovulation in some women and increase the chance of getting pregnant. This medication is not suitable if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using appropriate birth control while taking this medication.
- Surgery and tests: If you are going to have any surgery or tests such as an MRI or CT scan, tell the medical team in advance that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking the medicine for those days.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Long-term use of this medication may decrease vitamin B12 and folic acid levels. Therefore, talk to your doctor about eating a balanced diet and taking vitamin supplements if necessary.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, difficulty breathing, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting. |
| Dehydration | Excessive thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | Urinary tract infection, frequent urination, bloody or cloudy urine, back or pelvic pain. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe joint pain, heart attack symptoms (shortness of breath, ankle swelling), pancreatitis (severe stomach pain), infections in or around the genitals, symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency (numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness). |
| 🙂 Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| |
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine with breakfast. Swallow the tablet whole, do not break or crush it.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Always keep something handy (like a sugar cube) to take in case your blood sugar levels drop.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, severe stomach pain, or excessive thirst.
- This is just one important part of your diabetes management journey. It is most effective when combined with proper diet and exercise.
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