What is Avamet?

Avamet is an oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels. Metformin works by decreasing glucose (sugar) production in the liver and decreasing absorption of glucose by the intestines. Linagliptin works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating. Linagliptin and metformin is a combination medicine used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. linagliptin and metformin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Warnings

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

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous 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 Avamet if you are allergic to linagliptin 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
• high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

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.

How should I take Avamet?

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

Take Avamet with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

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

You may have 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 (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

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.

Avamet 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.

Storage condition: Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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).

What should I avoid while taking Avamet?

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

Side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult 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 Avamet 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.

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;
• symptoms of heart failure–shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling in your legs or feet, rapid weight gain.

Common side effects may include:

• sore throat
• sinus pain, stuffy nose
• diarrhea

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Avamet?

Many drugs can affect linagliptin and metformin, making this medicine less effective or increasing your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.