METFORMIN-LINAGLIPTIN

This is a combination of two drugs in a single tablet—linagliptin and metformin.

Linagliptin belongs to a class of drugs called dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Linagliptin helps increase the amount of insulin your body makes. Insulin is a substance that helps move sugar from your bloodstream into your body’s cells. Linagliptin also helps lower the amount of glucose (sugar) your body makes. Together, these actions lower your blood sugar level.

Metformin belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides. Metformin slows down the amount of glucose your liver makes. It also lowers the amount of glucose absorbed by your body, and improves how well your body uses insulin. All of these steps help lower your blood sugar level.

Uses

This linagliptin and metformin combination product is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It is used along with diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar levels.

Warnings

If your kidneys do not work well, you should not take this drug. Metformin levels can increase in your blood and cause dangerous side effects.

Side Effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of this combination product include:

cold-like symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough)
diarrhea
decreased appetite
nausea or vomiting
itching

Mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

Do NOT use linagliptin/metformin if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in linagliptin/metformin
you have type 1 diabetes
you have a severe infection, low blood oxygen levels, kidney or liver problems, or high blood ketone or acid levels (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis), or you are severely dehydrated
you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack, or you are in shock
you are 80 years old or older, unless lab tests show that you do not have decreased kidney function
you will be having certain surgery or lab procedures

Notify your doctor or health care provider about your past or present medical conditions. This may interact with your medication or worst, bring complications.

Interactions

The linagliptin and metformin in this combination drug product can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose & Brands

If you take too much you may have a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia). If you do, you need to treat the reaction:

For mild hypoglycemia (55–70 mg/dL), treatment is 15–20 grams of glucose (a type of sugar). You need to eat or drink one of the following:
- 3–4 glucose tablets
- a tube of glucose gel
- ½ cup of juice or regular, non-diet soda
- 1 cup of nonfat or 1% cow’s milk
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- 8–10 pieces of hard candy, such as lifesavers
Test your blood sugar 15 minutes after you treat the low sugar reaction. If your blood sugar is still low, repeat the above treatment.
Once your blood sugar is back in the normal range, eat a small snack if your next planned meal or snack is more than 1 hour later.

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, go to the nearest emergency room.

Available brand:

Trajenta Duo