Kombiglyze XR (Saxagliptin And Metformin Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Kombiglyze XR Used For?
Kombiglyze XR is a combination diabetes medication that contains two active ingredients working together to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Primary Uses
Kombiglyze XR is used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus along with diet and exercise. It may also be used in combination with other diabetes medicines including insulin, sulfonylureas (such as gliclazide), or SGLT2 inhibitors (such as dapagliflozin).
How It Works
Kombiglyze XR contains saxagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and metformin hydrochloride (a biguanide). These two medicines work together to help your body better control blood sugar levels. The main goal is to lower your blood sugar to a normal level, which may help prevent or delay complications of diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.
Good to know: Kombiglyze XR helps control your diabetes but does not cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed by your doctor.
How to Take Kombiglyze XR
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you and provide specific instructions on how to take Kombiglyze XR safely and effectively.
Dosage Instructions
Take Kombiglyze XR with or immediately after food in the evening to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water – do not chew or crush the tablets. Take at approximately the same time each day for best results. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take and how often.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine normally. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for hints.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Continue taking for as long as your doctor tells you.
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:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of taste
- Headache
- Signs of respiratory infection (runny nose, sore throat, cough)
- Soreness in back of nose and throat
- Difficulty breathing or chest tightness
- Urinary tract infection symptoms
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath)
- Increased blood pressure
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, skin rash, feeling faint)
- Persistent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) despite treatment
- Heart failure signs (increasing shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, swelling of feet)
- Severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- Skin blisters or breakdown (bullous pemphigoid)
- Lactic acidosis symptoms (weakness, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea/vomiting, feeling cold, dizziness, slow/irregular heartbeat)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Kombiglyze XR should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Kombiglyze XR
Do not take if you are allergic to saxagliptin, metformin hydrochloride, or any other DPP-4 inhibitor. Also avoid if you have: type 1 diabetes well controlled by insulin alone, type 2 diabetes well controlled by diet alone, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe liver disease, excessive alcohol intake or dependence, kidney failure or severe kidney disease, dehydration/severe blood loss/shock, severe infection, certain heart or blood vessel problems including recent heart attack or severe heart failure, severe breathing difficulties, blood clots in lungs, gangrene, or inflammation of the pancreas.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, heart failure, or if you drink alcohol. Your doctor will perform kidney function tests at the start of treatment and regularly while you’re taking Kombiglyze XR. Also inform your doctor if you become ill, dehydrated, injured, have fever, serious infection, or need surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Kombiglyze XR if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The safety in pregnant women has not been established, and insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Your doctor will replace Kombiglyze XR with insulin if you become pregnant. Do not take while breastfeeding – your doctor will discuss other options available to you.
Surgery Warning: You must stop taking Kombiglyze XR before major surgery or X-rays/scans requiring iodinated contrast dye. Your doctor will decide when to stop and restart treatment.
Drug Interactions
Kombiglyze XR may affect how other medicines work, and some medicines can affect how Kombiglyze XR works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Medicines containing alcohol (cough and cold syrups)
- Tetracosactrin (for multiple sclerosis and seizures)
- Danazol (for endometriosis)
- Blood pressure and heart medicines (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors)
- Blood clot prevention medicines (warfarin)
- Diuretics (fluid tablets)
- Chlorpromazine (for schizophrenia)
- NSAIDs (aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam, naproxen, piroxicam)
- Cimetidine (for reflux and ulcers)
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
- Asthma medicines (salbutamol, terbutaline)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special attention while taking Kombiglyze XR due to potential effects on blood sugar control and alertness.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can affect diabetes control, and drinking excessive amounts while taking Kombiglyze XR may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Kombiglyze XR affects you. The medication may cause dizziness in some people. Low blood sugar levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Do not drive if you have signs of low blood sugar.
Storage
Keep Kombiglyze XR 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°C. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on a window sill as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Kombiglyze XR, immediately call your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning, as you may need urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kombiglyze XR helps control your blood sugar levels as part of ongoing diabetes management. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular check-ups and blood tests to ensure the medication is working effectively for you.
Yes, Kombiglyze XR should be taken with or immediately after food in the evening. This helps reduce the chance of stomach upset and should be taken at approximately the same time each day.
Do not stop taking Kombiglyze XR or change the dosage without checking with your doctor first. The medication helps control your diabetes but doesn’t cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed to maintain blood sugar control.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can affect diabetes control, and drinking excessive amounts while taking Kombiglyze XR may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, trembling or shaking, sweating, light-headedness, dizziness, headache, lack of concentration, irritability, tearfulness, hunger, and numbness around lips and tongue. If you experience these symptoms, raise your blood glucose immediately with sugar, jelly beans, or non-diet soft drink.
No, Kombiglyze XR tablets must not be chewed or crushed. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. The tablets are designed to release the medication slowly over time.
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.