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Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet

Manufactured bySun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.
ContainsMetformin (500 mg) + Sitagliptin (50 mg)
Description
Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is a combination of Metformin and Sitagliptin. It is used to treat type II diabetes in adults (inability of a hormone known as insulin to reduce the abnormally increased blood sugar levels). It works by increasing the amounts of a hormone known as insulin, which helps in decreasing the excessive sugar level in the blood. It also reduces sugar production in the liver. Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet shows common side effects such as sore throat, stuffy nose, low blood sugar level, headache, weakness, diarrhoea, indigestion, or stomach upset. These side effects usually subside with time. However, if they persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance. Avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy while taking this medicine. Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may be taken with or without food. Take the medicine as directed by the doctor. Take it at the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Do not discontinue the medicine without consulting your doctor as it can worsen your condition. Avoid the consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may increase the risk of side effects. Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended if you are allergic to or if you have type 1 diabetes (when your pancreas does not make insulin or makes very little insulin), severe kidney conditions, and lactic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (increase in the levels of acids in the blood such as lactic acid and ketones). It should be taken with caution if you have liver, kidney, or heart conditions, gallstones (hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas, an organ vital for digestion and to control blood sugar levels), or a high level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy data. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet

  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Lactic Acidosis
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness

Uses of Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The effect of Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet can be observed within three hours of intake.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The amount of time for which Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet due to the increased risk of side effects.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor to understand the benefits and potential risks before taking this medicine.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may pass into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Allergy

Avoid taking Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Severe kidney impairment

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended if you have severe kidney problems as this medicine is filtered by the kidneys and removed from the body via urine. Impaired kidney function may lead to its accumulation in the body and increase the risk of severe side effects.

Metabolic Acidosis and diabetic ketoacidosis

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended if you have lactic acidosis (increased level of lactic acid in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (increase in the level of acids in the blood such as ketones).

Type 1 Diabetes mellitus

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended if you have type 1 diabetes (when your pancreas does not make insulin or makes very little insulin).
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor to understand the benefits and potential risks before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may pass into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings

Use in children

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.

Allergic skin reactions

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution due to the increased risk of allergic skin reaction. Report any unusual symptoms such as skin blisters or skin rashes to your doctor on priority.

Heart condition

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution if you have conditions related to the heart or blood vessels as it may increase the risk of heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump a sufficient amount of blood). Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly monitor your heart and kidney function during treatment with this medicine.

Gallstones

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution if you have gallstones (hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located below the liver). Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

High cholesterol levels

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution if you have a high level of bad cholesterol in your blood. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Liver impairment

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may increase the risk of undesired effects.

Use in the elderly

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be used with caution in the elderly due to the increased risk of side effects. Follow all the instructions given by the doctor.

Missed Dose

Do not miss the dose of Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Do not take more than the recommended dose of Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet. Consult your doctor in case of an overdose of this medicine for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet due to the increased risk of side effects.
Interaction with Medicine

Clozapine

Estradiol

Gatifloxacin

Iodinated Contrast Media

Bexarotene

Disease interactions

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the swelling of the pancreas, a gland that produces chemical substances which help in digestion and regulation of blood sugar levels. Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may increase the risk of pancreatitis and should be used with caution if you have a history of acute pancreatitis. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Kidney dysfunction

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be taken with caution if you have a mild to moderate kidney condition, as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the body. Hence it should be used with caution if you have Vitamin B12 deficiency (lack of vitamin B12 in your body that is essential for red blood cell formation), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Hypoglycaemia

Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet should be taken with caution if you have hypoglycaemia (abnormally low blood sugar levels), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet may be taken with or without food. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole with an adequate amount of water. Take the medicine at the same time every day for the ease of remembering. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not change the dose or duration of use without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition. Adapt some healthy lifestyles such as eating a diet with low sugar content and indulging in physical activities. Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels during treatment with this medicine. Always carry a sugar candy with you to counteract the unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Istamet (500/50 mg) Tablet is a combination of Metformin and Sitagliptin. Metformin works by increasing the action of insulin (a hormone that keeps the blood sugar at an appropriate level) in the body, decreasing the absorption of sugar from the intestine, and decreasing the production of sugar in the liver. Sitagliptin works by increasing the production of a hormone known as insulin, which further helps in decreasing the excessive sugar level in the blood.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Antidiabetic combinations

Schedule

Schedule H

Ema.europa.eu. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 20 July 2022].

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/janumet-epar-product-information_en.pdf

Corcoran, C. and Jacobs, T., 2022. Metformin. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: [Accessed 20 July 2022].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518983/

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 20 July 2022].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/022044s035lbl.pdf
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Information on this page was last updated on 8 Aug 2022

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.