Linagliptin and metformin

Linagliptin and metformin are oral medicines for diabetes that help control blood sugar levels. Metformin lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) made in the liver and reduces glucose absorption in the intestines. Linagliptin helps control how much insulin your body makes after you eat.

Linagliptin and metformin is a combination medicine used along with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Linagliptin and metformin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Linagliptin and metformin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take linagliptin and metformin with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (like fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Make sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Linagliptin and metformin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use linagliptin and metformin if you have severe kidney disease or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

You may develop lactic acidosis, which is a serious build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, vomiting, or if you feel cold, tired, or very weak.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to linagliptin (Tradjenta) or metformin, or if you have severe kidney disease or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• heart disease;
• liver disease;
• pancreatitis;
• gallstones;
• alcoholism; or
• high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.

If you need to have surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking linagliptin and metformin. Be sure your caregivers know ahead of time that you are using this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

This medicine may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, or fast heartbeats.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, fast/slow or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Linagliptin and metformin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a severe autoimmune reaction--itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin;
• severe or ongoing pain in your joints; or
• symptoms of heart failure--shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

Common side effects of linagliptin and metformin may include:

• sore throat;
• sinus pain, stuffy nose; or
• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

Immediate release tablets: -Initial dose for patients currently not receiving metformin: linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 500 mg orally twice a day -Initial dose for patients currently receiving metformin: linagliptin 2.5 mg in combination with one-half of current metformin dose orally twice a day-Initial dose for patients currently receiving linagliptin and metformin as individual components: switch to combination product containing the same doses of each component orally twice a dayMaintenance dose: Individualize dose based on safety and efficacyMaximum dose: linagliptin 5 mg/day; metformin 2000 mg/dayExtended-release tablets: -Initial dose for patients currently not receiving metformin: linagliptin 5 mg/metformin extended-release 1000 mg orally once a day -Initial dose for patients currently receiving metformin: linagliptin 5 mg in combination with a similar total daily dose of metformin orally once a day-Initial dose for patients currently receiving linagliptin and metformin as individual components: switch to combination product containing similar doses of each component orally once a dayMaintenance dose: Individualize dose based on safety and efficacyMaximum dose: linagliptin 5 mg/day; metformin 2000 mg/dayComments: -Patients taking two linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 1000 mg extended-release tablets should take the 2 tablets together once a day. -When used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue, a lower dose of insulin or the insulin secretagogue may be necessary to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.-Should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes. Use: To improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise.

Take the medicine (with food) as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have severely low blood sugar (extreme weakness, nausea, tremors, sweating, confusion, trouble speaking, fast heartbeats, or seizure).

• Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

Many drugs can impact linagliptin and metformin, which may make linagliptin and metformin less effective or raise your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not every possible interaction is included here. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you begin or stop using.