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Introduction About QTERN 5/10MG TABLET

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is a combination of Dapagliflozin and Saxagliptin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antidiabetic agents. It is used in adults to manage type II diabetes mellitus that cannot be adequately controlled with one oral anti-diabetic medicine, diet, and exercise.

Dapagliflozin works by blocking the action of a protein called SGLT-2 in the kidneys. This action manages the reabsorption of glucose and sodium ions in the kidneys. As a result, it excretes excess glucose and from the body in the form urine leading to decrease in blood sugar levels. It also protects kidney function and manages it from further damage. Additionally, it reduces the strain on the heart and helps it to pump blood more efficiently with less pressure. Saxagliptin works by inhibiting Dipeptidyl Peptidaye-4 (DPP-4) enzyme activity and decreasing glucagon concentrations, thus increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells.

Along with the therapy, your doctor might ask you to make certain lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, regular physical exercise and quitting alcohol consumption.

Before taking [GBKEYWORD], inform your doctor if you have type 1 diabetes, dehydration (associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or loss of excessive fluid from the body), and/or low blood pressure.

[GBKEYWORD] is not recommended for use in patients with liver problems and kidney problems. It is also not recommended for use in patients with Pregnancy and Breast-feeding women.

The most common side effects of taking [GBKEYWORD] are upper respiratory and urinary tract infections and headaches, genital infections, back pain, passing more urine, constipation, dizziness, and rash. Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.

Uses Of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET

Used to manage type II diabetes mellitus

How QTERN 5/10MG TABLET Works

How to use QTERN 5/10MG TABLET

Take QTERN 5/10MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. QTERN 5/10MG TABLET should be taken preferably with meals to avoid nausea or stomach upset.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Continue to take QTERN 5/10MG TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor without any interruption to achieve better results.

Side Effects Of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET

Common

Fungal infections of genital (thrush) causing itching, irritation, unusual discharge, odour
Back pain
Passing more urine, increased urine frequency
Skin rash
Changes in blood cholesterol levels
Changes in RBC in blood
Upper respiratory tract infection
Urinary tract infection
Headache
Dizziness
Diarrhoea
Stomach pain

Uncommon

Dehydration
Thirst
Constipation
Dry mouth
Weight loss

Rare

Stop taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects such as:

Signs of allergic reaction (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing)
Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (such as nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, excessive thirst, fast and deep breathing, confusion, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, a sweet smell to breath, a sweet or metallic taste in the mouth or a different odour to urine or sweat, and rapid weight loss)
Pain, swelling, redness or tenderness of the genitals or the areas between the genitals and the anus accompanied with high fever or a feeling generally unwell (sign of necrotising fasciitis of the perineum)
Signs of urinary tract infection (such as fever and/or chills, burning sensation while passing urine, pain in the back or side)
Bloody urine
Signs of low blood sugar levels (such as shaking, sweating, anxiety, hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, change in vision, mood swings, confusion)
Bullous pemphigoid symptoms such as skin blistering
Symptoms of heart failure (breathlessness, rapid increase in weight and swelling of the feet)
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Prolonged severe abdominal pain which may be accompanied by vomiting
Severe disabling joint pain

How To Manage Side Effects

Constipation

Taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET with meals may reduce the chances of constipation. However, if you experience constipation, eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of fluids. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if this side effect bothers you.

Diarrhea

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor.

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Headache

Drink an ample amount of water. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress-free. Ask your doctor before taking any medicine for headaches.

Stomach Pain

Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller meals more frequently. Keep a heating pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, contact your doctor.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Contraindicated

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. However, consult your doctor before taking it.

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women since it is not known whether the medicine may pass through breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

Contraindicated

Do not drive or operate machines if you experience dizziness, shakiness, or vision changes after taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET.

Alcohol

Risky

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET since it may increase risk of unwanted side effects.

Kidney

Consult your doctor

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with end-stage renal disease who are on hemodialysis. QTERN 5/10MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with reduced kidney function. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver

Consult your doctor

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver problems. QTERN 5/10MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with moderate liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not take QTERN 5/10MG TABLET if you are allergic Dapagliflozin and Saxagliptin and/or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease

Use with Caution

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with heart failure. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Use In Pediatrics

Contraindicated

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Use In Geriatrics

Use with Caution

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Others

QTERN 5/10MG TABLET is not recommended for use if you:

Have diabetes type 1 (your body does not produce any insulin)
Have diabetic ketoacidosis (high blood sugar, rapid weight loss, nausea, vomiting)
Have Diabetic pre-coma or diabetic coma
Have Hereditary diseases
Have Galactose intolerance
Have Lapp lactase deficiency
Have Glucose-galactose malabsorption

Before taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you:

Have diabetes related kidney problem
Have low blood pressure
Have uncontrollably high levels of blood glucose levels
Have fever, nausea, vomiting or if you are unable to eat or drink anything
Often get infections of the urinary tract
Are on fasting
Are dehydrated (due to recent vomiting, diarrhea or other reasons)
Have any serious illness or had a major surgery recently
Have any condition that reduces your defence against infections, such as AIDS or from medicines that you might take after an organ transplant
Have or had inflamed pancreas
Have stress conditions (fever, infection, surgery, trauma)

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

Diuretics (medicine used to remove water from the body) Ex. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
Other medicines used to manage diabetes (such as insulin or glimepiride, gliclazide)
Carbamazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin (used to control fits (seizures) or chronic pain)
Dexamethasone (used to manage inflammation)
Rifampicin (used to manage infections such as tuberculosis)
Ketoconazole (used to manage fungal infections)
Diltiazem (used to lower blood pressure)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally use too much of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

Synopsis

Drug	:	Dapagliflozin, Saxagliptin
Pharmacological Category	:	SGLT-2 Inhibitors, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors
Therapeutic Indication	:	Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Dosage Forms	:	Tablet

More Information

Keep QTERN 5/10MG TABLET out of reach of children
Store QTERN 5/10MG TABLET at a room temperature

FAQs About QTERN 5/10MG TABLET

Q: Can QTERN 5/10MG TABLET be crushed?

A: No. Do not break, split, crush, or chew QTERN 5/10MG TABLET. Simply swallow it with a glass of water.

Q: What if I miss a dose of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET?

A: If you miss a dose of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, omit the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take the medicine twice to make up for the missed dose.

Q: Can QTERN 5/10MG TABLET cause hypoglycemia?

A: Yes. QTERN 5/10MG TABLET may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). In such cases, have fruit juice, glucose tablets or gel, soft drinks, honey, or sugary candy. Check your blood sugar after 10 minutes. If you have not reached your optimum level, take another sugary snack or drink and check your blood sugar again.

Q: Can I stop taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET?

A: Do not stop taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET without consulting your doctor. Take it for as long as your doctor tells you to keep your sugar levels under control. If you have any more doubts regarding the use of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET, ask your doctor.

Q: Can the use of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET cause weight loss?

A: QTERN 5/10MG TABLET may cause weight loss in some individuals. It is because of excessive loss of fluid from the body in the form of urine. However, consult your doctor if this side effect troubles you.

Q: Can QTERN 5/10MG TABLET cause urinary tract infection?

A: Yes, taking QTERN 5/10MG TABLET may cause urinary tract infections in few peoples. Not every individual gets the side effect, so it is always better to practice good hygiene. Contact your doctor for advice.

Q: Will taking a higher dose of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET be more effective?

A: No, taking a higher dose of QTERN 5/10MG TABLET will not be effective rather it can lead to toxicity. Always take the dose prescribed by your doctor. If the prescribed dose is not effective for you, consult your doctor for advice. Your doctor might increase the dose or suggest an alternative therapy.

References

1. KD. Tripathi. Insulin, oral hypoglycaemic drugs, and glucagon. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 278.

2. Joseph T. DiPiro, Robert L. Talbert, Gary C. Yee, Gary R. Matzke, Barbara G. Wells, L. Michael Posey. Diabetes Mellitus. Pharmacotherapy- A Pathophysiologic Approach. Eighth edition. Page-1263, 1264.

3. Sarah L. Anderson. Dapagliflozin efficacy and safety: a perspective review. National Institute of Health. NLM. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. PMC. Pubmed Central. December 2014 [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232499/

4. Onglyza. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubChem. May 2022. [Accessed on 21st December 2023 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Onglyza#section=Pharmacology-and-Biochemistry

5. John J.V. McMurray, Scott D. Solomon, Silvio E. Inzucchi, Lars Kober, Mikhail N. Kosiborod, Felipe A. Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. The New England Journal of Medicine. November 2019 [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1911303

6. Feng, Miao MM, Lv, Haihong PhD, Xu, Xia MM, Wang, Jue MM, Lyu, Wenyi MA, Fu, Songbo MM, Li., Sheyu. Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Medicines. July 2019 [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2019/07260/efficacy_and_safety_of_dapagliflozin_as.65.aspx

7. AstraZeneca UK Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2021] [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7607.pdf

8. AstraZeneca UK Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2021] [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6675.pdf

9. AstraZeneca Canada Inc. Saxagliptin. [Revised in June 2021] [Accessed on 21st December 2023] https://www.astrazeneca.ca/content/dam/az-ca/downloads/productinformation/onglyza-consumer-information-leaflet-en.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

HbA1C, Also known as Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin
Blood Glucose Fasting (FBS)
Random Blood Sugar (RBS)
Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS)
Insulin – Fasting
Insulin Postprandial (PP)
Vital Diabetes Care
Extended Diabetes Care
Advance Diabetes Care
Comprehensive Diabetes Care

Author Details

Written By Dr. N. Sai Swaroop - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Jaya Prabakaran - MBBS, MD (Diabetology and Family Medicine)

Last updated on 05 Jan 2024 | 03:32 PM(IST)