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.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain/discomfort
• Headache
• Loss/Altered taste
• Weight gain
• Low blood sugar levels

Other General Warnings

• 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.

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 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.

Overdose

Missed a Dose