If you have diabetes, that is, Type 2 Diabetes, your doctor may have prescribed you a pill that combines the drugs Saxagliptin and Metformin. In our country, this is most commonly seen under the brand name Kombiglyze XR. This is a good medicine that is given to many people and helps control sugar. So today, let's learn exactly about this medicine and the things to be careful about when using it.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is given to control Type 2 Diabetes. This medicine helps to stimulate the production of insulin by your pancreas, reduce the production of sugar by your liver, and make it easier for your body's cells to absorb sugar. All of this helps to control your blood sugar levels.
But remember this well. You cannot control diabetes by drinking this alone. A good diet and daily exercise are two things that you must definitely do along with this medicine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Okay, now this is the most important part. Before starting this medicine, it is essential to inform your doctor about any other diseases you have in your body and your habits. Because, using this medicine with some conditions can be risky. If you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. |
|---|
| Kidney disease or liver disease |
| Heart disease, especially heart failure |
| If you have had pancreatitis before |
| If you drink alcohol regularly |
| Anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency |
| If you have Type 1 diabetes (this medicine is not for you) |
| If you have gallbladder disease or high blood triglyceride levels |
| If you have a serious infection or have undergone surgery |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
| If you have previously had an allergy to another medicine or food |
How to take medicine? The correct way
You need to work very neatly in this too.
- Take this pill exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time.
- It is usually said to be taken with the evening meal .
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- Important: It is very dangerous to break, crush, or chew this pill, so do not do so . It is designed to release the medicine slowly throughout the day (Extended-Release). If you break it, the medicine can enter your body all at once and cause serious side effects.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- If you miss a dose: Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You also need to be a little careful when taking this medicine.
Regular medical checkups
See your doctor at regular intervals to check on your condition. He or she will then perform a test called your HbA1C (A1C) . This measures how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past 2-3 months. This is a very important test.
Keep an eye on your sugar levels.
Learn how to test your blood sugar levels at home. Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia).
In case of low sugar, in an emergencyAlways keep something like some sugar, a toffee, or a glucose tablet nearby. But if your blood sugar drops to the point where you lose consciousness, don't put anything in your mouth. You could choke. In such a case , you should immediately take yourself to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
Other important points
- Don't skip meals.
- Drinking alcohol: It is very dangerous to drink alcohol while taking this medication. Ask your doctor for advice.
- Pregnancy: This medication may increase the chance of getting pregnant again in some women. Therefore, talk to your doctor about appropriate birth control while taking this medication.
- Surgery and scans: If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, or a 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.
- The tablet is passed out in the stool: Sometimes you may see the empty tablet shell come out in the stool. This is normal, but if this happens frequently, tell your doctor .
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. Not everyone will. But it's important to be aware of these.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Lactic Acidosis | This is a very rare but serious condition. Muscle cramps, stomach cramps, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the upper abdomen (radiating to the back ), pain that worsens after eating, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| Heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles and feet, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Severe joint pain | Severe pain in the joints. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Diarrhea | It is more common in the early stages of starting the medication. |
| Headache, nausea, vomiting | These can also occur frequently. |
| Cold-like symptoms | Sore throat, runny nose. |
Overdose
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, do not delay and immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Unit (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is given to control Type 2 Diabetes. A good diet and exercise are also essential.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole. Usually take it with a meal in the evening.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you have.
- Be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Keep some sugar handy for emergencies.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face/tongue, seek medical advice immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Saxagliptin and Metformin (Saxagliptin; Metformin / Kombiglyze XR) a pill for?
This is a highly effective (XR / continuous) pill that combines two drugs that work in two different ways to control high blood sugar levels in patients with 'Type 2 Diabetes'! Doctors recommend this special pill mixed with a new drug called 'Saxagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor)' for those whose sugar levels do not come down with metformin alone.
💬 How do these two drugs (Metformin + Saxagliptin) together lower/control our sugar?
It attacks from both sides! 1. Metformin reduces the production of new sugar (glucose) by your liver and forces the existing sugar to be absorbed by the muscles. 2. The other magic is Saxagliptin! When we eat a meal, the intestines produce a hormone (Incretin) that tells the pancreas to increase insulin. Saxagliptin does this by 'blocking the destruction of Incretin (DPP-4 enzyme)', increasing insulin production and lowering the sugar that comes after a meal.
💬 Even though diabetes is reduced, what are the dangerous side effects that people taking these pills should be aware of?
The biggest problem is the problems caused by Saxagliptin! It has been reported that it can cause fluid in the lungs, swelling of the legs, and a high risk of heart failure (especially in people with heart problems). The other fatal danger is that it can cause 'Acute Pancreatitis' in some people (so if you have severe pain in the stomach/back, see a doctor immediately!).
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