Repaglinide+Voglibose

When should one not use Repaglinide+Voglibose

• If you are allergic to repaglinide or voglibose or any of the ingredients of this medicine.
• If you have a severe liver disorder.
• If you have metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the body fluids) like diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic pre-coma.
• If you have type 1 diabetes.
• If you have or have a history of severe infection after surgery.
• If you have any gastrointestinal disorders.
• If you are already taking cholesterol-lowering medicine such as gemfibrozil.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Drop in blood sugar level
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea

Other General Warnings

• You have any kind of underlying medical condition such as heart disorder, ulcer of the large intestine, thyroid, kidney and liver disease etc.
• You are already taking any other medications such as any other anti-diabetic medicines, painkillers or water pills etc.
• You have a liver problem. It is not recommended for patients with severe liver disorders.
• You have a kidney problem. Caution is advised while taking this medicine.
• You are going to have any major surgery or recently had a severe infection.
• You fall into age groups under 18 or over 75 years of age.
• You suffer from weight gain (specific diet restrictions may be suggested).
• Keep a regular check on blood sugar levels during the treatment.

How Does It Work?

• Repaglinide+Voglibose works by the combined action of its two active ingredients.
• Voglibose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that works by inhibiting the intestinal enzymes and delays the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. It ultimately slows the breakdown of complex sugars into simple sugars such as glucose.
• Repaglinide increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin to your body and helps regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
• Collectively, they prevent a rise in blood sugar levels after having meals.

Interactions with other medicines

• Repaglinide+Voglibose may interact with other medicines if taken at the same time. Always inform your doctor about all the medicine you are taking, which includes all prescribed or non-prescribed herbal medicines, dietary supplements as well as other treatments if you are taking for any disorder.
• You may suffer from symptoms of low blood sugar if you are taking other anti-diabetic medicines like Insulin, anti-hypertensive medicines like captopril, steroids, antiplatelet medication like clopidogrel, brain-related medicines, antifungal medicines like itraconazole, antibiotics like clarithromycin, NSAIDs like aspirin etc.
• Avoid taking cholesterol-lowering medicines like gemfibrozil and immunosuppressants like ciclosporin, along with Repaglinide+Voglibose.
• Other medicines that should be used with caution and require close monitoring of blood glucose are trimethoprim (antibiotic for the bladder infection), anti-tuberculosis medicine like rifampicin, immunosuppressants, etc.

Overdose

• An overdose of this medicine may cause hypoglycaemia (excessively low blood sugar) and may present with dizziness, tremors, sweating, headache etc.
• If you experience these symptoms, take glucose or juice or sugar-containing products (sugar candy) and contact the doctor or visit the nearest hospital as you may require close monitoring for the next few hours.

Missed a Dose

• A missed dose may lead to high blood sugar levels, which include symptoms like feeling thirsty, excessive urination, loss of appetite, dry mouth, the fruity smell of breath, etc.
• If you have missed taking a dose of Repaglinide+Voglibose, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it's time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dose schedule.
• Avoid taking a double dose to compensate for the missed one.