Metformin (Istamet) and Sitagliptin (Istamet) are oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels. Metformin (Istamet) works by decreasing glucose (sugar) production in the liver and decreasing absorption of glucose by the intestines. Sitagliptin (Istamet) works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating. Istamet (Istamet) is a combination medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes. Istamet (Istamet) may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or with diabetic ketoacidosis. Some diabetic patients while taking Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's might develop a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. In this condition, there is too much lactic acid accumulated in the blood that can damage the working of your liver and kidney required for the elimination of excess lactic acid from the blood. Before you start taking Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney disease, and low vitamin B12 level. Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's, when used with insulin, may extremely lower the blood sugar level leading to hypoglycaemia condition which can be fatal. In this case, your doctor may adjust the dose by lowering the dose of insulin or Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's. Prolonged intake of Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's may lower your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) hence, an annual check-up of TSH is recommended. In rare cases, you may also develop a serious skin reaction known as bullous pemphigoid that requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor if you are going to have a diagnostic test with an injection of dye or X-ray contrast agent. The use of Istamet 50 mg/500 mg Tablet 15's should be stopped for a short time before having an X-ray procedure.