Linagliptin and Metformin Information
What is this drug used for?
• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
Possible side effects
Linagliptin and Metformin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• Stomach pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Diarrhea.
• Gas.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.
• Sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
• It is common to have stomach problems like upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea when you start taking this drug. If you have stomach problems later during treatment, call your doctor right away. This may be a sign of an acid health problem in the blood (lactic acidosis).
• Drugs like this one may cause joint pain that can be very bad and disabling. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad joint pain or any joint pain that does not go away.
• Heart failure has happened in people taking drugs like this one. Tell your doctor if you have ever had heart failure or kidney problems. Call your doctor right away if you feel very tired or you have shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:
Linagliptin and Metformin may be confused with Sitagliptin and Metformin
Storage and Stability
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from exposure to high humidity.
Adverse Reactions
Reactions/percentages reported with combination product; also see individual agents. Frequency not always defined.
Dermatologic: Pruritus
Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (6%), decreased appetite, nausea, pancreatitis, vomiting
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reaction
Respiratory: Nasopharyngitis (6%), cough
<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Severe arthralgia (FDA Safety Alert, Aug 28, 2015)
