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Last updated on February 2nd, 2023
Sitagliptin and Metformin are very popular medications to help in controlling high blood sugar when consumed with proper diet and exercise in patients suffering from diabetes.
Taking these drugs as per the instructions of the doctor helps in preventing the risk of kidney damage, heart issues, nerve problems, blindness, stroke, loss of limbs, and sexual problems.
Sitagliptin raises levels of incretins, which is a natural substance. It works by controlling blood glucose levels by raising insulin release, right after having a meal. This drug brings down the sugar production by your liver.
Metformin functions by fixing the body’s response mechanism to the sugar produced naturally. It also works by reducing the sugar production capacity of your liver and absorption capacity of the stomach and intestines.
Also Read: Normal Blood Level
In the case when a patient is suffering from Type-2 diabetes, the medical practitioner will advise you to have Sitagliptin and Metformin, in a combination form, after analyzing the patient’s condition. In this scenario, you must make sure that you are following the advice of your health practitioner.
We also suggest you consume medications as prescribed by the doctor and read the information available on the medicine cover carefully. Also, you must understand the procedure perfectly. Doctors usually prescribe two doses of each medicine for a day, but depending upon your condition, your dosage might be adjusted.
Summary
Sitagliptin and Metformin provide great results for diabetic patients and are the best combinational anti-diabetic drugs available in the market. However, since diabetes is known as a lifestyle disorder, for better results, the drugs must be taken along with a healthy diet and a sufficient amount of exercise.
Also Read:Diabetes Diet Plan
Side Effects of Sitagliptin + Metformin
Mentioned below are the potential side-effects a patient can suffer from while being on these medications –
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Hypoglycemia
- Deep or rapid breathing
- Muscle spasms
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Taste change
- Stomach Ache
- Loss of energy
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Muscle weakness
- Metal-like taste in the mouth
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
It is suggested to immediately see the health practitioner if you suffer from any of the above-mentioned health issues. After assessing your condition, your practitioner will decide the future course of action to help you in getting relief from the side effects.
In some cases, the patient may suffer from severe side-effects, such as lactic acidosis (which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood) or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice). In cases like these, the patients are advised to immediately see a doctor and reduce the chances of complications.
Also, you must tell your doctor if you have a history of being allergic to any of the ingredients used in Sitagliptin and Metformin.
Summary
These medications when given together do not produce any severe side effects. Depending on the patient, there might be a chance of mild side effects like Vomiting, Headache, Hypoglycemia, Deep or rapid breathing, Muscle spasms, Upper respiratory tract infection, Taste change, Stomach Ache, etc. In case of experiencing any of these symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help to avoid any sort of complications.
Also Read: Know about World Diabetes Day
Warnings of taking Sitagliptin and Metformin together:
It is highly recommended to properly go through the medication guide and all the info provided by your pharmacist before you take sitagliptin and metformin in combination, and the same is required each time you go for a refill.
Immediately take help from the doctor and ask if you have any questions regarding these drugs, you must ask your doctor or pharmacist. You are supposed to take the drugs through your mouth, as per your doctor’s recommendation. You should have these drugs only after consuming your meal. Usually, doctors prescribe one dose daily of these medications.
The doctors also suggest not to consume the medication in crushed versions, and also do not chew them in your mouth. It is advised not to crush or chew the tablets. You must drink a sufficient amount of liquid while taking these drugs unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
After thoroughly analysing your condition, your doctor will define an appropriate dosage of Sitagliptin and Metformin considering the following criterias –
- Your medical history
- Current medical condition
- Your body’s response to the treatment
- The medications you are already having
Consume these drugs on a regular basis to get the most benefit from them and consume it at the same time every day. If you feel uneasy then immediately contact your doctor. Once you have been kept on the medications, make your meal and exercise schedule regularly.
Before starting off with the course of these medicines, you are supposed to discuss with your doctor if you have any allergies to sitagliptin or metformin or the ingredients of these medications. Also seen the help of your doctor if:
- You have a medical history
- Have any sort of kidney or liver related health issue
- You have undergone any type of surgery in the past
Summary
If you are a diabetes patient and have been prescribed Sitagliptin and Metformin in combination to keep your blood sugar levels, you must go through the instructions on the cover of these medicines very carefully. Moreover, you should also make sure that you do not have an allergy to any of these medicines or any of their ingredients. You should never hide your medical history or if you had any surgery in the past from your doctor, as it may produce negative results.
Drive
While you have been kept on these drugs, do not drive without a doctor’s consultation as it may lead to dizziness. Consult your health practitioner once before driving.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women should not consume Sitagliptin and Metformin if their doctor hasn’t recommended them. You should never start these drugs on your own, as they can cause serious complications.
You must also discuss the pros and cons of having Sitagliptin and Metformin in combination for high blood sugar before you begin with the course. After a thorough analysis of your and your baby’s condition, the doctor may have to prescribe some other medications to you.
Nursing Mothers
Mothers who are breastfeeding should not consume these drugs without taking the doctor’s help. As per the experts, sitagliptin or metformin can leak into breast milk and lead to health concerns in the babies.
Kidney
Patients who are already having some sort of kidney related issues are not supposed to take sitagliptin or metformin on their own. You should never conceal your health from your doctor and must take their help before starting to consume these medicines.
Liver
These drugs should only be consumed with patients suffering from Hepatic problems if their doctor allows them. Your doctor might suggest you perform LFTs before advising you on these drugs. It is strictly prohibited to not consume these drugs if you have any kind of liver problem.
Alcohol
Do not consume alcohol while being on these medications as it might lead to side effects like dizziness, headache, etc. Please consult your doctor before consuming alcohol.
Summary
You are not supposed to drive a car or operate heavy machinery after taking Sitagliptin or Metformin in combination. Moreover, pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with kidney problems and liver ailments should also avoid these medicines without consulting their doctor. You are also not supposed to consume alcohol while being on these medications as it may cause complications.
Also Read: Know about World Diabetes Day
Works of Sitagliptin or Metformin
As Sitagliptin or Metformin are anti-diabetic drugs, they function by reducing the amount of glucose production inside a patient’s body, and at the same time, make the body of the patient more sensitive towards insulin. These medications help in producing more insulin production from the pancreas, which keeps the blood glucose under control, and decreases the hormone responsible for raising the sugar levels in the bloodstream of the patient.
When you have these medications in combination, it helps in reducing your fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels and keeps them at the optimal levels.
Missed Dose of Sitagliptin and Metformin
The diabetes patients who have been put on Sitagliptin or Metformin course, should take the missed dose as and when they remember it. You are only supposed to skip a missed dose if it is already time to take the next dose. It is strictly prohibited to take an additional dose to compensate for a missed dose, as it may lead to serious complications.
Overdose of Sitagliptin and Metformin
Overdose of these drugs can lead to serious side effects like change of taste, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, etc. Hence, every diabetes patient is advised never to overdose these medicines.
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Glimepiride Interactions
While being on glimepiride, you are not supposed to have alcohol as it may lead to mild to serious complications. If you want to have alcohol while being on this medication, you must talk to your doctor first, who would analyse your condition and suggest you either consume it in moderation or stop drinking completely.
If you still ignore the warning on alcohol consumption, you may suffer from serious health issues, like flushing, headache, weakness, choking, vomiting, chest pain, blurry vision, difficulty in breathing, anxiety, nausea, confusion, and anxiety.
Moreover, while taking glimepiride, you are not supposed to spend too much time under the direct exposure to sunlight. The medicine makes your skin sensitive to the sunlight which may cause some sort of skin issues. Hence, you are advised to always wear protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen while being outside.
You also must talk to your doctor beforehand to handle the unforeseen medical situations like what should your plan of action be if you fall sick, suffer from an infection, have fever and feel stressed. All these conditions are known to boost your blood glucose levels, hence, your doctor might have to adjust your dosage.
Summary
Glimepiride is a very effective anti-diabetic medication, but you have to be really careful with your diet and other lifestyle stuff while having it. You are not supposed to take alcohol without a doctor’s permission. Avoid sun exposure while being on this drug to protect your skin. You should also have an action plan ready to handle situations like fever, stress, infection, etc. while being on this medicine.
Also Read: Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat
Metformin Interactions
When you have been prescribed metformin by your doctor, you may consume alcohol, but it should only be in moderation. Women are allowed to take a drink everyday, and men can have a couple of drinks in a day while taking this medication for blood sugar control. However, heavy drinking can cause serious complications while being on this medication.
We already know, heavy drinking leads to a heightened risk of lactic acidosis. As it is also a side-effect of having metformin, consuming both at the same time doubles the risk of the patient suffering from lactic acidosis.
As per the experts, you may consume whatever you want while being on this medication. Metformin is known to function by bringing down your blood sugar levels when you are in between two meals. Hence, the doctors allow you to have anything, but in moderate quantities, while you are having this medication.
Generally, doctors advise the patients to take metformin along with a meal to cut down the chances of suffering from nty sort of gastrointestinal (GI) issues. However, you can have this drug even without food if you do not have any symptoms of GI.
Summary
You can have alcohol while being on this medication. You can also eat whatever you want while taking this drug. The consumption quantities of alcohol and food must be in moderate quantities. You are advised to take this medicine along with a meal.
Helpful Tips
- Regular consumption of Sitagliptin and Metformin manage blood sugar levels.
- It is asked to perform yoga/exercise on a day-to-day basis and follow healthy edibles to control blood sugar levels.
- Take these medicines only after consuming your meals to avoid having an upset stomach.
- Having these medications in combination also cuts down your risk of putting on extra weight and suffering from low blood sugar, which are a common problem in most of the diabetes patients.
- You must inform your doctor if you have gone through any kind of surgery or anesthetic treatment in the past. Informing the doctor will help you eliminate the chances of any side effects.
- While being on these medications, if you ever suffer from nausea, stomach pain or rapid breathing, you should immediately seek medical intervention to avoid complications.
- Your doctor must ensure that you do not have any sort of liver or kidney issues before starting your treatment with these medicines.
- In case you feel any kind of above-mentioned side effects, discuss with your doctor immediately.
Takeaway
Sitagliptin And Metformin are very effective anti-diabetes medications and they help in balancing blood sugar levels if taken regularly. Medics widely use these drugs to help diabetes patients. On-time consumption of these drugs helps in maintaining blood sugar levels in patients. When a patient is kept on these medicines, the clinicians advise you to follow a proper diet plan and exercise regime.
FAQs:
What is the safest drug to take for type 2 diabetes?
As per the experts, Metformin is the safest drug to manage type 2 diabetes. It has proven its credibility over the years by producing unbelievable results for many patients around the world.
Are these drugs bad for kidneys and liver?
As per the experts, these drugs are very helpful in managing diabetes, but if you have any sort of kidney or liver disease, you must discuss that with your doctor to avoid the possibility of any complications.
What is the best time of day to take Sitagliptin and Metformin?
The doctors generally suggest only one dose of these medications in combination in a day. These medicines have shown better results when people take them along with a meal. Hence, taking it along with breakfast in the morning is perceived as a good idea. If you do not have breakfast, you should ensure you consume these along with the first meal of the day.
When should I take metformin and Sitagliptin?
Generally, doctors recommend you to take these medications along with your breakfast or dinner, but depending upon your condition, your doctor may suggest something different too. If you have a medical history, you must discuss it with your doctor.
How do Sitagliptin and Metformin work together?
When your doctor puts you on course of Metformin and Sitagliptin in combination, it increases your risk of developing hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. When you are having these drugs, you must ensure having a close eye on your blood glucose levels to understand if you require a dose adjustment or not. Every patient is highly recommended to immediately see a medical practitioner if he/she suffers from low blood sugar anytime during the treatment.
References:
- https://www.drugs.com/mtm/metformin-and-sitagliptin.html
Last Updated on by Dr. Damanjit Duggal
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