About Sitagliptin + Metformin 50 mg/500 mg Tablet
Sitagliptin + Metformin 50 mg/500 mg Tablet contains Sitagliptin 50 mg + Metformin 500 mg. This medicine combines two diabetes medicines, sitagliptin and metformin, in one tablet. It is used to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when one medicine alone is not enough. It is used along with a healthy diet and regular exercise and is usually taken twice a day with meals.
Uses of Sitagliptin + Metformin 50 mg/500 mg Tablet
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults not controlled by metformin alone, or already taking both medicines
Benefits
In type 2 diabetes
The two medicines lower blood sugar in different ways, so together they can give better control than one alone. Good sugar control over time lowers the risk of diabetes problems in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
Side effects
Stomach side effects are common at first and often settle. Talk to your doctor if any side effect bothers you or does not go away.
Common
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Low blood sugar when used with a sulfonylurea or insulin
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, fast or deep breathing, feeling very cold, weak or drowsy — may be lactic acidosis, a rare but serious problem; stop and seek emergency care
- Severe, lasting stomach pain that may spread to the back, with or without vomiting — may be pancreatitis; stop and seek medical help straight away
- Signs of low blood sugar (when used with insulin or sulfonylureas): sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, confusion — take sugar or a sweet drink at once and tell your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing — stop and seek emergency care
- Blisters or breakdown of the skin — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually twice a day with meals. Swallow the tablet whole with water.
How it works
Sitagliptin keeps the body's own incretin hormones active for longer, helping the pancreas release insulin after meals. Metformin lowers the sugar made by the liver and helps the body use insulin better.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It raises the risk of lactic acidosis from metformin and can affect blood sugar.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It should not be used in pregnancy. Your doctor will usually switch you to insulin.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is generally not recommended while breastfeeding. Ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
Low blood sugar can occur when it is used with sulfonylureas or insulin. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or shaky.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor will check your kidney function. It must not be used in severe kidney disease.
Liver Unsafe
It is usually avoided in liver disease because of the risk of lactic acidosis from metformin. Tell your doctor about any liver problem.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it with your next meal if it is soon. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it with meals to reduce stomach upset.
- Tell your doctor before any scan using contrast dye or any surgery; you may need to stop it for a short time.
- Stop and see a doctor if you get severe, lasting stomach pain.
- Keep up your diet, exercise and regular blood sugar checks.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Triazolopyrazine derivative (sitagliptin); biguanide (metformin)
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-diabetic
- Action class
- DPP-4 inhibitor + biguanide
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Iodinated contrast dye used for scans | Raises the risk of lactic acidosis; the medicine may need to be stopped before the scan |
| Sulfonylureas and insulin | Higher risk of low blood sugar |
| Alcohol | Raises the risk of lactic acidosis |
| Steroid tablets and water tablets (diuretics) | Can raise blood sugar and affect kidney function |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Sitagliptin and metformin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: sitagliptin with metformin). Pharmacist review pending.