Daily Medication Pearl: Saxagliptin/Metformin (Kombiglyze)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Saxagliptin/Metformin (Kombiglyze)

Indication: Kombiglyze is a combination of saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both saxagliptin and metformin is appropriate.

Insight:

• Dosing: 2.5/1000 to 5/1000 mg, depending on the patient and the kidney function.
• Dosage forms: 5 mg saxagliptin/500 mg metformin HCl extended-release; 5 mg saxagliptin/1000 mg metformin HCl extended-release; 2.5 mg saxagliptin/1000 mg metformin HCl extended-release.
• Adverse events:Adverse reactions reported in >5% of patients treated with metformin extended release and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are diarrhea and nausea/vomiting.
• Mechanism of action: Increased concentrations of the incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucosedependent insulinotropic polypeptide are released into the bloodstream from the small intestine in response to meals.Metformin improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.

Source: label (fda.gov)