Kombiglyze XR Uses

What Is Kombiglyze XR Used For?

Kombiglyze™ XR (saxagliptin/metformin ER) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It should be used in combination with appropriate changes in diet and exercise to help control blood sugar.

 

Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type (see Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which cells do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. As a result, the cells do not take sugar out of the blood very well. This is why people with type 2 have high blood sugar.

 

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play important roles.

 

Any type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes (weight loss, proper diet, and exercise). If lifestyle changes alone are not effective at managing diabetes, medication such as Kombiglyze XR may be necessary.

 

Some diabetes drugs force the pancreas to produce more insulin, regardless of blood sugar levels. These medications are effective, but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Because of the way Kombiglyze XR works, it is far less likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar, compared with some other diabetes medications.