QTERN (Saxagliptin And Dapagliflozin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is QTERN Used For?
QTERN is a combination medication that helps manage type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough.
Primary Uses
QTERN is used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus along with diet and exercise, in combination with another medicine called metformin. It’s prescribed when diet and exercise combined with metformin don’t provide adequate blood sugar control.
How It Works
QTERN contains two active ingredients that work differently: saxagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and dapagliflozin (an SGLT-2 inhibitor). Together, they help your body better control blood sugar levels and may help prevent complications of diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
Good to know: QTERN helps control your diabetes but does not cure it, so it must be taken every day as prescribed.
How to Take QTERN
QTERN should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor to get the best results for managing your diabetes.
Dosage Instructions
Take one QTERN tablet once a day at approximately the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water – do not split or cut the tablets. QTERN can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, and don’t stop taking QTERN or change the dosage without checking with your doctor first.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of taste
- Headache
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale appearance)
- Swelling of hands, feet or ankles
- Rash
- Signs of respiratory infection (runny nose, sore throat, cough)
- Soreness in back of nose and throat
- Difficulty breathing or chest tightness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, wheezing, shock, swelling of face/lips/tongue, skin rash, hives)
- Persistent low blood sugar despite treatment
- Dehydration symptoms (dry mouth, severe thirst, dizziness, reduced urination)
- Genital infections (painful urination, irritation, unusual odor or discharge)
- Urinary tract infections (burning/pain when urinating, frequent urination, fever, blood in urine)
- Necrotising fasciitis (pain, redness, swelling from genitals to rectum, fever)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (nausea, difficulty breathing, severe thirst, weakness, confusion, sweet breath smell)
- Heart failure signs (increasing shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, foot swelling)
- Skin blisters or breakdown (bullous pemphigoid)
- Severe kidney problems
- Severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
Important Warnings
Before taking QTERN, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take QTERN
Do not take QTERN if you are allergic to saxagliptin, dapagliflozin, any other DPP-4 inhibitor medicine, or any ingredients in the tablet. Also avoid QTERN if you have poorly functioning kidneys, severe kidney disease, kidney failure, poor liver function, or severe liver failure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart failure, kidney/liver/pancreas problems, frequent genital or urinary tract infections, dehydrating illnesses, high blood pressure, or if you’re taking water pills. Also mention if you’re lactose intolerant, as QTERN tablets contain lactose.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take QTERN if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. QTERN is not recommended during pregnancy – insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking QTERN, tell your doctor immediately. It’s unknown if QTERN passes into breast milk.
Children: QTERN is not recommended for use in children under 18 years old as it has not been studied in this age group.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with QTERN and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Important: Discard any other medicines containing dapagliflozin or saxagliptin to avoid accidental overdose. Your doctor or pharmacist can help identify these medications.
- Lithium (QTERN can lower lithium levels in blood)
- Other medicines containing dapagliflozin or saxagliptin (ONGLYZA, FORXIGA, KOMBIGLYZE XR, XIGDUO XR)
- Other blood sugar lowering medicines
- High blood pressure medicines
- Water pills (diuretics)
Alcohol & Driving
QTERN may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, so use caution until you know how it affects you.
Alcohol
The source does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with QTERN. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Although rare, QTERN may cause dizziness in some people. Low blood sugar levels may also slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Make sure you know how you react to QTERN before driving or doing anything that could be dangerous if you’re dizzy or lightheaded.
Storage
Keep QTERN tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them – they won’t keep well if removed early. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 30 degrees Celsius. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight, and out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much QTERN, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, QTERN tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them at approximately the same time each day for best results.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Continue taking QTERN for as long as your doctor tells you. QTERN helps control your diabetes but doesn’t cure it, so you must take it every day. Make sure you have enough medication for weekends and holidays.
Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, lack of concentration, irritability, tearfulness, hunger, and numbness around lips and tongue. If untreated, these may progress to loss of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
Your doctor may prescribe QTERN along with other medicines that lower blood sugar, such as metformin. However, avoid taking other medicines containing dapagliflozin or saxagliptin to prevent accidental overdose. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Talk to your doctor if you’re having any surgery, including dental surgery, to discuss when to stop taking QTERN and when to start taking it again. Also remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you’re using QTERN.
QTERN may increase your risk of genital and urinary tract infections. Watch for symptoms like painful urination, unusual discharge, or irritation. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms, especially if accompanied by fever or other concerning signs.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.