Komboglyze Tablets: Uses, Safety, and Storage Basics

Komboglyze is a prescription oral combination medicine used to help improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and activity. It combines saxagliptin and metformin, two medications that work in different ways. This page summarizes how the treatment is typically used, key safety issues, and practical handling points.

Information here is general and should be checked against your product label and clinician instructions, since individual plans vary. Some patients explore US shipping from Canada as part of managing long-term refills, depending on eligibility and jurisdiction.

What Komboglyze Is and How It Works

This medicine contains saxagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) and metformin (a biguanide). Saxagliptin helps raise levels of incretins (gut hormones that signal insulin release after meals), which can increase insulin release and reduce glucagon when blood sugar is high. Metformin mainly lowers glucose made by the liver and improves insulin sensitivity (how well the body responds to insulin). Used together, they target both fasting and after-meal glucose patterns.

Because it is a long-term glucose-lowering medication, it is not used to treat acute low blood sugar or diabetic emergencies. In the CanadianInsulin operating model, the service functions as a prescription-referral pathway and may confirm prescription details with your prescriber when needed. How well the combination works can depend on adherence, kidney function, and other medicines, so routine follow-up is part of typical care.

Who It’s For

Komboglyze is generally used for adults with type 2 diabetes who need more than lifestyle measures alone. It may also be considered when a clinician wants to simplify therapy by combining two agents in one tablet. Condition context can vary by person, including weight considerations, cardiovascular history, and kidney status; for broader background, browse the Type 2 Diabetes hub or the Diabetes Overview hub.

This therapy is not for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. It is also not appropriate for certain people who cannot take metformin, such as those with severe kidney impairment or acute metabolic acidosis. Clinicians also use extra caution during acute illness that can cause dehydration or reduced kidney function, and around imaging procedures that use iodinated contrast. Your prescriber will weigh benefits and risks based on medical history and labs.

Dosage and Usage

Many people take saxagliptin/metformin products with food to reduce stomach upset and to support consistent routines. The exact schedule depends on the formulation and the prescribed strength, so follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not change the dose on your own, and do not substitute different strengths without clinician approval. If an extended-release tablet is prescribed, it is typically swallowed whole rather than crushed or split, because altering the tablet can change how metformin is released.

Missed-dose instructions vary by product labeling, but common guidance is to take a missed dose when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; avoid doubling up unless your prescriber specifically instructs it. Glucose monitoring plans differ across treatment strategies; some people check fingersticks regularly, while others use continuous glucose monitoring as part of a broader plan discussed in Diabetes Treatment. Clinicians often review A1C trends, home readings, and symptoms when adjusting a regimen.

If you are sick, not eating normally, or vomiting, ask a clinician for guidance before continuing, because dehydration can increase the risk of metformin-related complications. Also tell your care team if you are scheduled for surgery or contrast imaging, since temporary holding of metformin is sometimes considered based on kidney function and the procedure plan.

Strengths and Forms

Komboglyze tablets are combination tablets that include saxagliptin and metformin in fixed amounts. Depending on the market and the specific product, you may see immediate-release tablets or an extended-release form (often described as saxagliptin metformin extended-release tablets). The outer appearance can differ by manufacturer, and availability can vary by jurisdiction and pharmacy supply.

Commonly referenced combinations include 2.5 mg/500 mg, 2.5 mg/1000 mg, 5 mg/500 mg, and 5 mg/1000 mg (saxagliptin/metformin). Some products are described as film-coated tablets. Always confirm the exact strength and release type on the carton and bottle before taking a dose.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture, and keep the container tightly closed. Avoid leaving the medication in places with temperature swings, such as a car glove box. Keep medicines out of reach of children and pets, and check the expiration date before travel.

Quick tip: When traveling, carry a current medication list and pharmacy label copy.

If you use glucose meters, CGMs, or other supplies while traveling, organizing all diabetes-related items together can reduce missed doses and missed checks; the guide Understanding Diabetes Tech offers a practical overview of common tools. If a tablet looks different than expected (shape, color, imprint), ask a pharmacist to confirm it matches the prescription. Do not store tablets in weekly organizers if moisture exposure is likely.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, reduced appetite, headache, or mild respiratory symptoms. Stomach effects are often linked to metformin and may be more noticeable when starting or after dose increases. Low blood sugar is less common with saxagliptin/metformin alone, but it can occur when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea; symptoms may include sweating, shaking, confusion, or palpitations.

Serious risks require prompt medical attention. Metformin is associated with lactic acidosis (a rare but life-threatening buildup of lactic acid), especially in settings such as severe kidney impairment, dehydration, heavy alcohol use, or severe infection. Saxagliptin has class-related warnings that include pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) and hypersensitivity reactions; some people also report severe joint pain. There is also evidence of increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure with saxagliptin in some populations, so clinicians may reassess therapy if new or worsening shortness of breath, swelling, or rapid weight gain occurs.

Why it matters: Early recognition of severe symptoms can prevent complications.

Because this is a long-term medicine, routine monitoring matters. Clinicians may check kidney function before starting and periodically thereafter, and they may consider vitamin B12 levels over time with metformin use. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fainting, or signs of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling or trouble breathing.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interaction risk comes from both components. Saxagliptin levels can be affected by strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors (for example, some antifungals or certain antibiotics), which may lead clinicians to adjust therapy. Metformin can interact with alcohol (increasing lactic acidosis risk) and with iodinated contrast used in some imaging studies, where temporary interruption may be considered based on kidney function and clinical status.

Other glucose-lowering medicines can increase hypoglycemia risk when combined. Tell your clinician about all prescription drugs, OTC products, and supplements, including diuretics, steroids, and decongestants that may affect blood sugar. In addition, conditions that reduce oxygen delivery, such as severe heart or lung disease, can raise concern for metformin-associated complications. For broader education and updates, browse Diabetes Articles and Type 2 Diabetes Articles.

Compare With Alternatives

Combination DPP-4 inhibitor plus metformin therapy is one option among several for type 2 diabetes. Some people use metformin alone, while others add a second agent from a different class. Alternatives that clinicians may discuss include adding an SGLT2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist, or using separate tablets instead of a fixed-dose combination. The best match depends on kidney function, cardiovascular history, weight-related goals, tolerability, and preferences about pills versus injections.

Komboglyze may be considered when a clinician wants both metformin’s insulin-sensitizing effect and saxagliptin’s incretin-related effect in a single regimen. If you want to see other non-insulin combinations and related options by category, browse Combination Tablets, Non Insulin Medications, and the broader Diabetes Medications hub. Weight patterns can differ across diabetes therapies; while this varies widely, the overview Insulin And Weight Gain discusses one common concern to raise with a clinician when comparing plans.

Pricing and Access

Access to saxagliptin/metformin products depends on prescription requirements, regional availability, and payer rules. Some plans require prior authorization or step therapy, and coverage can vary between immediate-release and extended-release formulations. For people paying cash, costs can differ by strength, manufacturer, and pharmacy policies; this may matter for those taking Komboglyze without insurance. Documentation requirements can include an active prescription, patient identity verification, and confirmation of current directions for use.

CanadianInsulin supports prescription referral and, where needed, coordinates verification with the prescriber for accuracy. Dispensing is handled by licensed third-party pharmacies where permitted by law. If you are comparing options, the Diabetes Product Category hub can help you browse related supplies and medications by type.

Some patients consider cross-border fulfilment based on eligibility and jurisdictional rules. If you are reviewing educational materials about program details, see Promotions Information for general updates that may affect cash-pay planning. Keep a current medication list and recent lab results available when discussing coverage decisions, because kidney function and other conditions can influence which formulations are appropriate.

Authoritative Sources

For prescribing and safety details, review the official label information: DailyMed saxagliptin/metformin listings.

For regulatory safety communications and labeling context, consult: FDA Drug Safety and labeling resources.

For guideline-based treatment context, see: American Diabetes Association Standards of Care.

When temperature control is needed, pharmacies may use prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to protect product integrity.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.