Common Headache, Upper respiratory tract infection, Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) in combination with insulin or sulphonylurea, Nasopharyngitis.

Expert advice for Istavel Tablet
Istavel helps to control high blood sugar level and avoid long-term complications of diabetes. Istavel can be taken with or without food. Monitor your blood sugar regularly. Chances of weight gain and low blood sugar are lesser as compared to other diabetes medicines. Inform your doctor immediately if you have severe stomach pain, nausea, and/or vomiting. These could be symptoms of pancreatitis. Inform your doctor immediately if you have severe joint pain.

Q. Is Istavel a statin?
No, Istavel is not a statin. Istavel is an antidiabetic drug and it belongs to the class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. while Statin is a class of lipid-lowering drugs.

Q. Is Istavel safe?
Istavel is safe to use when taken for a prescribed duration in the dose advised by a doctor. However, you can experience some common side effects at the prescribed dose also, like a headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis and hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar level) when used along with insulin or sulphonylureas.

Q. Is Istavel a blood thinner?
No, Istavel is not a blood thinner. Istavel is an antidiabetic drug and it belongs to the class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

Q. When can I stop taking Istavel ?
Do not stop taking Istavel until advised by your doctor as this can lead to a sudden rise in your blood sugar levels. However, in case you experience stomach pain while taking Istavel, immediately stop taking it and inform your doctor. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.

Q. Does Istavel interact with other drugs?
Istavel is an antidiabetic medicine and its interaction with other drugs is very limited. Istavel itself is less likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), however, when taken with other anti-diabetic medicines, the risk increases. Also, Istavel can increase the blood levels of digoxin which can lead to more side effects with digoxin.

Q. Does Istavel have any role in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Istavel along with metformin is used off-label for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as it has shown efficacy in this condition in some clinical studies. However, its use in PCOS is yet not approved. Please consult your doctor.

Q. Can I use Istavel with rosuvastatin?
Yes, Istavel can be used with rosuvastatin. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile has been reported compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Can I take Istavel with Metformin?
Yes, Istavel can be taken with Metformin. It is a good add-on treatment if the blood sugars are very high even after taking Metformin and the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) does not become very high when they are taken together. However, a dose adjustment of the two may be needed.

Q. Can I take Istavel with insulin?
Yes, you can take Istavel with insulin. Using them together can lower the insulin dose and decrease the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).

Q. Can I take Istavel with Glipizide?
Yes, Istavel can be taken with Glipizide. Both are antidiabetic drugs but they work in different ways. When taken together, they can help in better control of blood sugar levels. However, the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can increase if the dose of glipizide is not adjusted.

Q. Is it beneficial to use Istavel with liraglutide?
No, it is not advisable to take Istavel with Liraglutide. Both work by increasing the level of incretin hormones and can be expected to have a better efficacy but, there could also be an increased risk of side effects like pancreatitis when they are used together.

Q. Does Istavel cause weight loss?
Use of Istavel is not associated with either weight loss or weight gain. It is weight neutral.

Q. Does the use of Istavel cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)?
Istavel can lower blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). However, it happens more often if you delay or miss your food, do more than routine exercise, drink alcohol or take other antidiabetic medicine along with. Be cautious of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and always keep glucose tablets or honey or fruit juice with you. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is important.

Q. Is the use of Istavel associated with cancer?
Istavel belongs to the group of drugs called incretins which have been associated with pancreatic cancer in some clinical studies. However, a definite evidence is missing, so, it is advisable to talk to your doctor regarding the same.

Q. Does the use of Istavel associated with constipation?
Yes, constipation is an uncommon side effect seen with the use of Istavel. Taking a fiber rich diet and plenty of water can help in relieving constipation.

Q. Can Istavel cause somnolence (makes you feel sleepy)?
Yes, somnolence (sleepiness) has been reported with the use of Istavel. Also, there could also be an increased risk of hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels) when used with other antidiabetic drugs which can make you feel dizzy. Be careful while driving or when operating a machine.

Q. Can Istavel cause itching?
Istavel is not known to cause itching. However, in case you develop an allergic reaction to Istavel or any of its ingredients, you may have symptoms of itching, redness or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. Immediately stop taking the medicine and inform or visit a doctor.

Q. Does Istavel cause dry mouth?
No, the use of Istavel is not seen to be associated with dry mouth.