Komboglyze (Saxagliptin/Metformin) for Diabetes

Overview
Komboglyze is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Komboglyze is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise. You may be a candidate for Komboglyze if you are already taking Onglyza and Metformin, or if you are taking Metformin and still have uncontrolled blood glucose levels.

Komboglyze is a combination drug composed of the drugs Saxagliptin, the active ingredient in Onglyza, and Metformin. Saxagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Saxagliptin is believed to work by lowering blood glucose levels when they are elevated. Metformin is a biguanide. Metformin is believed to work by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and making the muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin. Komboglyze is often prescribed along with a sulfonylurea drug.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Komboglyze is generally taken twice daily.

Komboglyze comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Komboglyze lists common side effects including cold symptoms, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Rare but serious side effects listed for Komboglyze include lactic acidosis (when the tissues and blood become too acidic), pancreatitis, kidney problems, and systemic allergic reaction.

For answers to frequently asked questions about exposure to Metformin during pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit the experts at MothertoBaby.org.