Istamet 50mg/500mg Tablet

Istamet tablet is a combination medicine containing sitagliptin and metformin. It is used along with a healthy diet and regular exercise to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus lowers the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, blindness, and limb loss.

Sitagliptin works by increasing insulin production in the body after a meal and decreasing sugar production. Metformin works by restoring the body's natural response to insulin and reducing sugar production. A few other tablets with sitagliptin and metformin as their composition are Janumet 50/500mg tablet , and Sitazor 50/500mg tablet .

Before starting Istamet tablet, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding. Also, inform your doctor about all other medicines that you take and your complete medical history. Nausea or vomiting, flatulence, loose motion or constipation, and stomach pain are some of the side effects of Istamet tablets.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include severe nausea or vomiting, pain in the stomach, muscle cramps, rapid breathing. If you have taken too much of this medicine then contact your doctor or reach out to the nearest hospital immediately.

Missed a Dose

If you have missed taking any dose of this medicine then take it as soon as you remember. If it's already time for the next dose then skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Sitagliptin works by increasing insulin production by the body after a meal and decreasing sugar production by the body.
• Metformin works by restoring the natural response of the body to insulin and decreasing sugar production by the body.

Directions for Use

• Take Istamet tablet with food as prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not stop taking Istamet 50/500 tablet on your own without informing your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Istamet 50/500 tablet during pregnancy?

Component of Istamet 50/500 tablet can cause harm to the unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. This medicine should not be taken by pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Istamet 50/500 tablet while breastfeeding?

Component of Istamet 50/500 tablet can pass through breastmilk and can cause harm to the breastfed baby if taken by lactating mother. This medicine should not be taken by lactating mother.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Istamet 50/500 tablet?

Istamet 50/500 tablet can cause dizziness or sleepiness. Avoid driving if you have dizziness or sleepiness after taking this medicine.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Istamet 50/500 tablet?

Consumption of alcohol along with Istamet 50/500 tablet can cause a medical condition called ' lactic acidosis' which can cause vomiting, pain in the stomach, breathing difficulty, tiredness, muscle cramps, decrease body temperature, decrease heartbeat. Avoid alcohol consumption while on this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have skin blisters after taking this medicine.
• You have a fever, vomiting, loose motion, heat exposure, and less fluid intake.
• You have vomiting, pain in the stomach, breathing difficulty, tiredness, muscle cramps, decreased body temperature, and decreased heartbeat after taking this medicine.
• You have low blood sugar after taking other anti-diabetic medicines along with this medicine.
• You have type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• You are undergoing any surgery.
• Your doctor tells you that you have increased triglyceride levels in your blood and you have gallstones.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to sitagliptin, metformin or any other ingredients of Istamet 50/500 tablet.
• If you have severe kidney or liver disease.
• If your diabetes is not under control and you also have high blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, loose motions, rapid loss of weight, pain in the stomach, breathing difficulty, sleepiness, etc.
• If you have dehydration or you have the presence of severe infection.
• If you have to go to do an x-ray or scan dye is injected in your blood before doing the x-ray or scan.
• If you have a recent history of a heart attack.
• If you are a heavy alcohol drinker.
• If you are a lactating mother.

Side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Metallic taste
• Flatulence
• Loose motion
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Istamet 50/500 tablet works, or this medicine can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines simultaneously.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are taking to avoid any possible interaction.
• Especially if you are taking other antidiabetic medicines.

Interactions with food items

It is recommended to take Istamet tablets with food to avoid stomach upset.

Storage and disposal

• Store Istamet tablet at a temperature not above 30°C in a cool and dry place.
• Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Istamet 50/500 tablet need to be taken with food?

Istamet 50/500 tablet should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset if taken on an empty stomach. Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor.

Can I take crushed Istamet 50/500 tablet?

Istamet 50/500 tablet, whole or split, should be taken with food as prescribed by your doctor and should not be crushed or chewed. Doing so will release all of the medicine at once and can cause side effects of this medicine.

Does Istamet 50/500 tablet cause low blood sugar?

Istamet 50/500 tablet usually does not cause low blood sugar. It can cause low blood sugar if taken along with other antidiabetic medicines if you are taking low-calorie food or doing heavy exercise. Symptoms of low blood sugar include blurring of vision, sudden sweating, shaking, increased heartbeat, hunger, dizziness, or tingling sensation in your hands or feet. Consult your doctor if you have low blood sugar while taking this medicine.

What should I do if I have low blood sugar after taking Istamet 50/500 tablet with other anti-diabetic medicines?

Eat sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda to increase your blood sugar rapidly. See a doctor right away if you have blurry vision, sudden sweating, shaking, increased heartbeat, hunger, or dizziness.

When should I take Istamet 50/500, before or after food?

You should take Istamet 50/500 exactly as advised by the doctor. It would be best to take it with meals to avoid stomach discomfort. Also, try to take it at the same time every day for maximum results.

Is Istamet 50/500 safe for long term use?

Istamet is generally prescribed for a long time. It works best when you take it regularly for a long duration prescribed by the doctor.

What is Istamet 50mg/500mg used for?

Istamet 50mg/500mg is used for the control of high blood sugar in patients having type 2 Diabetes mellitus, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

What is the composition of Istamet 50mg/500mg?

The composition of Istamet 50mg/500mg includes a combination of sitagliptin and metformin.

What are the side effects of Tab Istamet 50/500?

Nausea, vomiting, headache, metallic taste, flatulence, loose motion, etc., are a few common side effects of tab Istamet 50/500. Although not everyone gets them. Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Does Istamet 50 500 cause weight gain?

No, Istamet 50 500 does not increase weight. It neither increases nor decreases the weight. You should continue to exercise and follow your diet while you are on this medicine.

what is the difference between Istamet 50/500 and Istamet 50/1000?

Both are antidiabetic medications containing a combination of sitagliptin and metformin; they differ in the amount of metformin in them. Istamet 50/1000 contains a higher amount of metformin compared to Istamet 50/500. It is advised to take the medicine prescribed by your doctor and avoid self-medication.

Istamet 50/500 vs Janumet 50/500, are they the same?

The composition of both these medications is the same—a combination of sitagliptin and metformin; however, the brand names are different. You should only take the medicine prescribed by your doctor, as the same will be based on your medical history and the severity of your condition.