Xigduo XR

Xigduo XR is used to control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It should be used along with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Xigduo XR Overview

Reviewed: October 30, 2014
Updated: 

Xigduo XR is a prescription medication used to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It must be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Xigduo XR is not appropriate for treatment of type 1 diabetes.

It is a single product containing 2 medications: dapagliflozin and metformin. Dapagliflozin belongs to a group of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These work by helping the kidneys get glucose out of the body in the urine. Metformin belongs to a group of drugs called biguanides. These work by decreasing the amount of glucose your body can absorb from food and decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver.

This medication comes in extended-release tablet form and is taken once a day, in the morning with food.

Do not chew, divide, or break Xigduo XR tablets. Swallow tablets whole.

Common side effects of Xigduo XR include yeast infection in females, a cold, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, and headache.

Xigduo XR can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Xigduo XR affects you.

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Xigduo XR Cautionary Labels

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Uses of Xigduo XR

Xigduo XR is a prescription medication used to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It must be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Xigduo XR is not appropriate for treatment of type 1 diabetes.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Xigduo XR Drug Class

Xigduo XR is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Xigduo XR

Serious side effects have been reported with Xigduo XR. See the “Xigduo XR Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Xigduo XR include the following:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain or discomfort
  • genital infections
  • nasopharyngitis (common cold)
  • urinary tract infection

This is not a complete list of Xigduo XR side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Xigduo XR Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • amiloride (Midamor)
  • calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Adalat, Nifedical, Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Covera, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem)
  • cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • diuretics such as acetazolamide (Diamox), amiloride (Midamor), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, HCTZ), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide)
  • isoniazid
  • morphine (Avinza, Duramorph, DepoDur, Astramorph, Kadian)
  • phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine, Chlor-PZ), thioridazine (Mellaril), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Triavil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
  • procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan, Procanbid)
  • quinidine
  • quinine (Qualaquin)
  • ranitidine (Zantac, Deprizine)
  • steroids such as prednisone (Cortan, Deltasone, Orasone, Sterapred), budesonide (Entocort), dexamethasone (Decadron), triamcinolone (Kenacort, Aristocort), flunisolide (AeroBid. Aerospan), ciclesonide (Alvesco), mometasone (Asmanex, Dulera), fluticasone (Flovent), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), fludrocortisone (Florinef), and hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone)
  • trimethoprim (Proloprim, Primsol, Bactrim, Septra)
  • vancomycin (Vancocin)
  • thyroid medications such as levothyroxine, Synthroid, and Levothroid
  • estrogens and oral contraceptives
  • phenytoin (Phenytek, Dilantin, Dilantin-125)
  • nicotinic acid (Niaspan, Niacor)
  • sympathomimetic drugs such as norepinephrine, phenylephrine (in Sudafed PE, Dimetapp products, Triaminic products, and others), and isoprenaline (Isuprel)

This is not a complete list of Xigduo XR drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Xigduo XR Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Xigduo XR including the following:

  • Lactic acidosis. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.
    • tiredness
    • muscle aches and pains
    • trouble breathing
    • unusual or increasing sleepiness
    • nonspecific abdominal distress, including stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Decreased blood pressure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of decreased blood pressure.
    • fatigue
    • lightheadedness
    • dizziness
    • nausea
    • clammy skin
    • depression
    • loss of consciousness
    • blurry vision

Xigduo XR can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Xigduo affects you.

Do not take Xigduo XR if you:

  • are allergic to Xigduo XR or to any of its ingredients
  • have moderate to severe kidney impairment
  • have metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis

Xigduo XR Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Xigduo XR, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet and exercise regularly if you have type 2 diabetes.

Follow your doctor's instructions about drinking enough fluids throughout the day while you are on this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Xigduo XR tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Xigduo or to any of its ingredients
  • have type 1 diabetes or have had diabetic ketoacidosis
  • have kidney problems
  • have liver problems
  • have heart problems, including congestive heart failure
  • drink alcohol very often, or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term “binge” drinking
  • are going to get an injection of dye or contrast agents for an x-ray procedure
  • are going to have surgery and will not be able to eat or drink much
  • have or have had bladder cancer
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Xigduo XR and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Xigduo XR falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Xigduo XR and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Xigduo XR crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Xigduo.

Xigduo XR Usage

Take Xigduo XR exactly as prescribed.

Xigduo XR comes in extended-release tablet form. It is taken once a day, in the morning with food.

Do not chew, divide, or break Xigduo XR tablets. Swallow tablets whole.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Xigduo XR at the same time.

Xigduo XR Dosage

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication

The dose Xigduo XR for blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes should be initiated at a low dose and slowly increased on the basis of patient response and tolerability. The maximum recommended daily dose of Xigduo is 10 mg dapagliflozin and 2000 mg metformin.

Xigduo XR Overdose

If you take too much Xigduo XR, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Xigduo XR is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Other Requirements

  • Store Xigduo XR at room temperature.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Xigduo XR FDA Warning

WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS

Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation. The risk increases with conditions such as sepsis, dehydration, excess alcohol intake, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, and acute congestive heart failure.

The onset of lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and nonspecific abdominal distress.

Laboratory abnormalities include low pH, increased anion gap, and elevated blood lactate.

If acidosis is suspected, XIGDUO XR should be discontinued and the patient hospitalized immediately.