Important information
What should you know about taking Spartina®?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Spartina® if:
- You have severe problems with food digestion or food remaining in your stomach for longer than normal (including severe gastroparesis).
- You have ever had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas that may cause severe pain in the stomach and back that does not go away).
- You have a problem with your eyes (diabetic retinopathy or macular edema).
- You are using a sulfonylurea (such as glibenclamide or gliclazide) or insulin for your diabetes, as low blood sugar can occur. Your doctor may need to change your dose of these other medicines to reduce this risk.
When starting treatment with Spartina®, in some cases you may experience loss of fluids/dehydration, due to nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, which may lead to a decrease in kidney function. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
Children and Adolescents:
This medicine should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age because it has not been studied in this age group.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as the effects on an unborn child are not known. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. It is recommended to use contraception while using this medicine. If you are using oral contraceptives, it is recommended to switch to non-oral contraceptive methods or add a barrier method (e.g., a condom) for 4 weeks after starting Spartina® treatment and for 4 weeks after each dose increase beside using oral contraceptives.
It is unknown whether tirzepatide passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor before using this medicine. The decision to breastfeed during therapy should consider the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and the benefits of treatment to the mother.
Driving and Using Machines:
It is unlikely that Spartina® will affect your ability to drive and use machines. However, if you use Spartina® in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin, low blood sugar may occur which may reduce your ability to concentrate. Avoid driving or using machines if you get any signs of low blood sugar like headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, feeling hungry, confusion, irritability, fast heartbeat and sweating.
If you use more Spartina® than you should:
If you use more Spartina® than you should talk to your doctor immediately. Too much of this medicine may cause low blood sugar and can make you feel sick or be sick.
If you forget to use Spartina®:
If you forget to inject a dose and,
- It has been 4 days or less since you should have used Spartina®, use it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
- If it has been more than 4 days since you should have used Spartina®, skip the missed dose. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
The minimum time between two doses must be at least 3 days.
If you stop using Spartina®:
Do not stop using Spartina® without talking with your doctor. If you stop using Spartina®, and you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels can increase.
What other drugs could affect Spartina®?
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
How to use Spartina®?
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to use this medicine.
Spartina® should be injected subcutaneously on the same day each week in the abdomen (5 cm away from the belly button), In the front of the thighs (about 5 cm above the knee and 5 cm below the groin) and back and side of the upper arms halfway between the elbow and shoulder.
You can use the same area of your body each week but be sure to choose a different injection site within that area. If you also inject insulin choose a different injection site for that injection.