Istamet Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Istamet Tablet is a combination medicine containing sitagliptin and metformin, used to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise, or a single medicine are not enough on their own. It works by increasing insulin release, reducing sugar made by the liver, and improving the body's response to insulin. It is taken by mouth, usually with meals, and is available as a tablet.

What is Istamet Tablet

Istamet is a combination tablet containing sitagliptin and metformin. It is used to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise, or a single medicine are not enough on their own.

Istamet Tablet uses

• Manage type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Help lower and maintain healthy blood sugar levels
• Combine two medicines that lower blood sugar in different ways
• Support steadier blood sugar control to help reduce long-term complications

Benefits of Istamet Tablet

• Improved blood sugar control
• Reduced risk of diabetes-related complications
• Enhanced insulin sensitivity
• Support for weight management in type 2 diabetes

How Istamet Tablet works

Istamet contains sitagliptin and metformin. Sitagliptin raises levels of hormones that tell the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar is high and lowers a hormone that raises blood sugar. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar the liver makes, reduces how much sugar the intestines absorb, and helps the body's tissues respond better to insulin. Together these actions help keep blood sugar levels steady.

Istamet Tablet dosage

Take by mouth as prescribed by your doctor, usually with food, generally twice daily with meals to help reduce stomach upset. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush or chew it. Follow the complete course prescribed by your doctor and keep up with your recommended diet.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule; do not double up. Diet, physical activity, and regular blood sugar monitoring remain an essential part of managing diabetes.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Istamet Tablet

Common

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with other antidiabetic medications
• Running nose
• Sore throat

Serious

• Lactic acidosis symptoms such as muscle pain, breathing difficulty, and drowsiness
• Allergic reactions
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)

Warnings and precautions

• Caution is advised while taking Istamet if you are pregnant. Do not use it during pregnancy unless your doctor prescribes it, as there is not enough information to confirm its safety for pregnant women.
• Talk to your doctor before taking Istamet if you are breastfeeding, since there is limited information on how sitagliptin passes into breast milk.
• Istamet is not recommended for people with severe kidney disease, and kidney function should be checked regularly while taking it.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting Istamet, as liver disease may raise the risk of a serious condition linked to metformin.
• Limit or avoid alcohol while taking Istamet, as it can increase the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis and of low blood sugar.
• Istamet may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy, unwell, or have low blood sugar. Avoid these activities if you feel less alert and talk to your doctor.
• Report extreme tiredness, muscle pain, or rapid breathing right away, as these can be signs of a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. Also learn the warning signs of low blood sugar.
• Do not take Istamet if you have severe kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis, as it can worsen these conditions.
• Do not take Istamet if you have pancreatitis or vitamin B12 deficiency, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
• Long-term use of the metformin in Istamet may lower vitamin B12 levels, so regular checkups are recommended.

Storage

• Store Istamet 50mg/500mg Tablet at room temperature, ideally between 15 to 30°C.
• Keep it away from direct sunlight and damp areas. So, avoid places like your bathroom or kitchen windowsill.
• Ensure it's out of sight and reach of children.
• Always check the expiry date before use and don't use the medicine if it's expired.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical attention if you notice signs of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain, difficulty breathing, or drowsiness, or if you have an allergic reaction.
• If you take more than the prescribed dose and experience nausea, vomiting, or bloating, contact your doctor rather than panicking.

Alternatives

• Metformin
• Dapagliflozin + Metformin
• Linagliptin + Metformin
• Glimepiride + Metformin