Drug interactions
Entecavir + Saxagliptin-metformin
Severity: Moderate
Entecavir and Saxagliptin-metformin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Entecavir has been associated with lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, and metformin carries its own risk of lactic acidosis. Using both together may add to the risk of this rare but serious metabolic complication, especially in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Entecavir and Saxagliptin-metformin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Entecavir belongs to Anti Virals; Saxagliptin-metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive risk of lactic acidosis, via nucleoside analogue mitochondrial toxicity with entecavir and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis with metformin.
What to do
Monitor for symptoms of lactic acidosis (malaise, myalgia, dyspnea, abdominal pain) and check renal and hepatic function periodically. Stop metformin and entecavir if lactic acidosis is suspected.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Saxagliptin-metformin
Other interactions of Entecavir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Entecavir with Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Entecavir and Saxagliptin-metformin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Entecavir has been associated with lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, and metformin carries its own risk of lactic acidosis. Using both together may add to the risk of this rare but serious metabolic complication, especially in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Entecavir and Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for symptoms of lactic acidosis (malaise, myalgia, dyspnea, abdominal pain) and check renal and hepatic function periodically. Stop metformin and entecavir if lactic acidosis is suspected.
What other medicines interact with Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Saxagliptin-metformin with, for example, Atazanavir, Clozapine, Contrast media. The full list is on the Saxagliptin-metformin page.
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