San Antonio, TX
A 36-year-old male asked:
Is it safe to take 5 metformin pills & 5 onglyza (saxagliptin) pills on 1 day and take a break for 5 days while fasting?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Richard Scofieldanswered
Diabetology 34 years experience
Absolutely not!: There is no rationale for taking metformin or Onglyza (saxagliptin) in that fashion and taking such large amounts all at once may lead to toxic side-effects.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. William Harris commented
Family Medicine 34 years experience
The equivalent 5-day Onglyza treatment would be once-weekly Bydureon injections. You get all of the benefits of a daily pill in a weekly shot. There is no equivalent, weekly (more convenient) dosing form of metformin yet -- we're still stuck with the once-daily metformin so far...
Sep 8, 2013

Dr. STEPHEN GIROUXanswered
Pharmacology 41 years experience
Probably not good: The high dose on one day- may adversely affect blood glucose and the break of five days will throw the balance off completely.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 1, 2015
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