Linagliptin inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), an enzyme that inactivates incretin hormones. DPP-4 inhibition results in an increase in incretin hormone levels that control glucose homeostasis by raising the synthesis and release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells and decreasing the secretion of glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells, leading to decreased development of hepatic glucose. Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic agent, which decreases the development of hepatic glucose by reducing gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, decreases glucose intestinal absorption, and increases insulin sensitivity by raising glucose peripheral use and uptake.
Use this medication precisely as recommended by your physician. Follow the prescription of your doctor carefully.
The medication dose given by your physician is based on your health conditions, other medications or food supplements taken, and your reaction to the treatment. To diminish risks for adverse effects, do not increase your dosage, thus take it regularly, or take it as instructed by your physician. Adverse events may still happen even at usual prescription dosages.
If your physician requests you to use this drug consistently, take it regularly to get the most benefits from it. To make you remember it better, take it at a fixed time every day.
Your doctor may need to modify your dosages to ease your symptoms or if you develop adverse reactions.
