Metformin+Glimepiride
Molecule Description
Glimepiride+Metformin is a combination medicine. It is used in the treatment of
type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps in controlling the blood sugar levels adequately. This combination is known to control blood sugar to a greater extent than metformin or glimepiride alone. It belongs to an anti-diabetic class of medicines. Glimepiride+Metformin is available in the form of tablet, capsule. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding and about all the medicines and supplements you take and all the conditions or diseases you suffer from before starting glimepiride+metformin.
Uses of Metformin+Glimepiride
Glimepiride+Metformin is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, when diet, exercise and glimepiride or metformin alone is unable to control your blood sugar levels adequately.
Contraindications of Metformin+Glimepiride
When should one not use Metformin+Glimepiride
- If you are allergic to metformin, glimepiride or similar medicines.
- If you had or have problems with your heart (shock, recently had a heart attack).
- If you suffer from severe lung, liver or kidney problems.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- If you have any metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the body fluids) like lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic pre-coma.
- If you have dehydration, severe infections or are taking any injections containing iodine.
- If you regularly consume alcohol in excess.
Side effects of Metformin+Glimepiride
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain/discomfort
- Headache
- Loss/Altered taste
- Weight gain
- Low blood sugar levels
Precautions and Warnings of Metformin+Glimepiride
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take glimepiride+metformin during pregnancy?
A:
It is not advised to use glimepiride+metformin during pregnancy, consult your doctor before using it.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take glimepiride+metformin while breastfeeding?
A:
Consult your doctor before using glimepiride+metformin while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk in low amounts.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed glimepiride+metformin?
A:
- Glimepiride+Metformin may cause low blood sugar levels leading to drowsiness, unconsciousness or confusion. Discuss with your doctor whether you can drive if you have frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)....
- Always keep a juice or chocolate in the car while driving, in case you start feeling any of the above symptoms, immediately have the juice or chocolate.
- Do not consume artificial sweeteners/sugar-free.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with glimepiride+metformin?
A:
You must not consume alcohol with glimepiride+metformin as it may lead to serious complications.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- You experience low blood sugar levels (symptoms may include extreme hunger, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, restlessness, aggression, reduced alertness, confusion, shakiness or dizziness).
- You are suffering from any heart, kidney or liver problems.
- You have weakness, experience numbness and pins-and-needles sensation.
- You are going to have a diagnostic imaging test that involves the injection of iodine.
- You have dehydration due to diarrhoea, vomiting or limited fluid intake.
- You have suffered through trauma.
- You are going to undergo surgery.
- You are overweight.
- Glimepiride+Metformin is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age.
Mode of Action of Metformin+Glimepiride
How Does It Work?
- Glimepiride lowers the blood sugar level, increasing the release of insulin hormone from the pancreas. Insulin moves sugar from the blood into the cells.
- Metformin works by decreasing the absorption in the intestine and the production of sugar by the liver.
- Both ingredients are known to increase the insulin sensitivity of the body, which means it allows the cells of the body to use blood sugar more effectively, thus reducing blood sugar.
Interactions of Metformin+Glimepiride
Interactions with other medicines
- Some medicines can affect the way glimepiride+metformin works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
- You may experience symptoms of low blood sugar if you are taking glimepiride+metformin along with other medicines for diabetes like insulin, pioglitazone, medicines for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors like captopril), steroids, chloramphenicol, fenfluramine, medicine to lower blood cholesterol (fibrates), medicine to treat psychiatric illnesses (fluoxetine), medicine to treat blood clotting like coumarins, cyclophosphamide, miconazole, probenecid, antibiotics like clarithromycin, doxycycline, ofloxacin, etc....
- You may experience symptoms of high blood sugar if you are taking this combination along with oral contraceptives, acetazolamide, phenytoin, medicines for constipation, phenytoin, rifampicin and medicines for thyroid disorders....
- Medicines like diclofenac, ibuprofen, water pills, enalapril may affect your kidney functions if taken simultaneously and medicines used to treat thyroid can affect the way this medicine works.
- Medicines like anti-allergic (ranitidine), clonidine, reserpine and medicines used to treat high blood pressure like atenolol can alter the way this medicine works and may block your body's response to low blood sugar. This can lead to dangerously low levels of blood sugar....
Dosage of Metformin+Glimepiride
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, confusion, sleep disturbances, restlessness, impaired alertness and reactions. Seek urgent medical help if you suspect an overdose....
Missed a Dose
If you have missed any dose of glimepiride+metformin, then take it as soon as you remember. If it is already time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed one....
Content Details
WRITTEN BY
Dr. Nikita Toshi
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
REVIEWED BY
Dr. Ritu Budania
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is glimepiride+metformin an anti-diabetic medicine?
A: Yes, glimepiride+metformin is an anti-diabetic medicine. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, when diet, exercise and glimepiride or metformin alone is unable to control your blood sugar levels adequately.
Q: In which all dosage forms is glimepiride+metformin available?
A: Glimepiride+Metformin is available in the form of tablet and capsule.
References
View All
- CDSCO [Internet]. Cdscoonline.gov.in. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
- Amaryl M tablet (Metformin Hydrochloride Prolonged Release & Glimepiride tablets I.P.)) [Internet]. Sanofi.in. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
- Glimepiride 1 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
- Glimepiride 1 mg tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
- Metformin 500 mg film coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
- Metformin 500 mg film coated tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 19 October 2021]
Recent articles
Disclaimer
The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.