Metformin+methylcobalamin
About Metformin+methylcobalamin
Metformin+methylcobalamin used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic or life-long condition in which blood sugar or glucose levels rise more than usual. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (metabolises glucose), or if it is produced, it cannot function properly in the body.
Metformin+methylcobalamin is a combination of two medicines: Metformin and Methylcobalamin. Metformin acts by decreasing liver glucose production and intestinal glucose uptake. It may deplete vitamin B12 levels. Therefore, it is administered with methylcobalamin, which can help treat vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus, Metformin+methylcobalamin does not cause a sudden drop in blood glucose levels or significant hypoglycemia.
You should take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. You may experience side effects such as changes in taste, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (falling sick), diarrhoea, headache, anorexia (loss of appetite), and sweating. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not take Metformin+methylcobalamin if you are allergic to any of its contents. Before taking Metformin+methylcobalamin, inform your doctor if you have liver problems, severe kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, dehydration due to severe diarrhoea or vomiting, severe infections, acute heart failure or heart attack, and alcoholism. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Uses of Metformin+methylcobalamin
• Management of Diabetes: Metformin+methylcobalamin is commonly prescribed to help regulate blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly those who may require additional medication alongside lifestyle changes.
• Improvement of Glycemic Control: Metformin+methylcobalamin aids in improving overall glycemic control by enhancing insulin sensitivity and decreasing hepatic glucose production.
• Weight Management: In some cases, Metformin+methylcobalamin can assist in weight management for diabetic patients, as it may help reduce appetite or modify fat metabolism.
• Prevention of Diabetes Complications: Regular use of Metformin+methylcobalamin can contribute to the prevention of long-term complications associated with diabetes, such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.
Medicinal Benefits
Metformin+methylcobalamin is a combination of two medicines: Metformin and Methylcobalamin. Metformin acts by decreasing liver glucose production and intestinal glucose uptake. Methylcobalamin reduces vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin+methylcobalamin does not cause significant hypoglycemia (sudden lowering of the blood glucose level). It is usually preferred in obese patients with diabetes as it may cause weight loss and lower the complications of diabetes.
Directions for Use
• Take Metformin+methylcobalamin with food to avoid stomach upset or as advised by a doctor. • Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure its safety. • Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water. • Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Metformin+methylcobalamin
- Change in taste
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Diarrhoea
- Hot sensation
- Headache
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Sweating
Drug Warnings
Metformin+methylcobalamin may cause a rare and serious side effect, ‘lactic acidosis’ (buildup of lactic acid in the blood), characterized by abdominal pain, muscle cramps, vomiting, severe fatigue, and difficulty breathing. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Inform your doctor if you have any severe liver or kidney problems, as their normal functioning is required to eliminate excess lactic acid from the body. Do not consume excess alcohol, as it increases the risk of lactic acidosis. It should be used with caution in patients with heart disease as it increases the risk of heart failure. If you have dehydration (severe loss of body fluids) due to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, exposure to heat, or fever, stop taking Metformin+methylcobalamin and immediately seek medical attention. Metformin+methylcobalamin may cause electrolyte imbalance, so taking this medicine during dehydration can worsen the condition.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Metformin+methylcobalamin may interact with other antidiabetic drugs, diuretics or water pills, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and celecoxib), antacids (cimetidine and omeprazole), antiasthma drug (salbutamol), corticosteroids, anti-HIV drug (dolutegravir), iodinated X-ray contrast agents, anti-epileptic drugs (topiramate and lamotrigine), antibiotic (neomycin), a medication used to treat high blood pressure (verapamil), antibacterial (rifampicin and trimethoprim), a medication to treat chest pain (ranolazine), anticancer (vandetanib), and an antifungal drug (isavuconazole).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Metformin+methylcobalamin as it increases the risk of lactic acidoses.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Metformin+methylcobalamin should be avoided in patients with heart diseases (like congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction), and alcoholic abuse.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol may increase the risk of side effects and worsen the condition.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorMetformin+methylcobalamin is a category B drug. It should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMetformin+methylcobalamin should not be used in breastfeeding mothers as it may get secreted in the breast milk and cause unwanted effects in the nursing babies.
Driving
safe if prescribedMetformin+methylcobalamin does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionMetformin+methylcobalamin should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionMetformin+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
consult your doctorMetformin+methylcobalamin can be used in children above 10 years of age if clinically required.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins, and a quarter with whole grains.
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between meals or snacks.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are significant fluctuations.
- Invest in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates with whole-grain foods and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and other fibre-enriched foods.
- Reduce your intake of saturated fats (or hidden fats) in foods like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. You may use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil for frying.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You can adopt stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation, to help control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk, and cheese, etc.).
- Maintain your blood pressure as close to normal (120/80) as possible, as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes.
Special Advise
Beware of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) symptoms, including sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, and frequent urination. Whenever you experience these symptoms, try eating 5-6 candies, three glucose biscuits, or three teaspoons of honey or sugar, and then consult your doctor. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially on long trips.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: It is a chronic or lifelong disease that prevents the body from properly utilising insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, weight gain may occur, while in rare instances, weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), retinopathy (damaged retina of eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increase in the chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Metformin+methylcobalamin is used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Metformin+methylcobalamin is a combination of Metformin and Methylcobalamin. Metformin reduces blood glucose levels by decreasing liver glucose production and intestinal glucose uptake. Methylcobalamin helps reduce vitamin B12 deficiency, which can occur due to the use of metformin.
Inform your doctor before having an X-ray or CT scan that you are taking Metformin+methylcobalamin. Some imaging scans may involve the injection of contrast materials that contain iodine into your bloodstream, which may affect your kidney function.
Metformin+methylcobalamin is recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and not used for treating type 1 diabetes, a condition which occurs mainly due to deficiency of insulin.
Metformin+methylcobalamin is recommended for treating type 2 diabetes in obese patients as this medicine may affect weight loss. However, if you experience excessive weight loss, consult your doctor immediately.
Metformin+methylcobalamin may not cause significant hypoglycemia (a reduction in blood sugar levels). However, its action is to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes patients and can cause hypoglycemia if taken together with other medicines to treat diabetes, so consult a doctor if you have severe or recurrent hypoglycemic episodes while using Metformin+methylcobalamin.
The best diabetes medicine depends on various factors, including the type of diabetes (type 1 or 2), age, medical history, and other health conditions. What works for one person may not work for another. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential to determine the most effective treatment plan, as they will consider individual factors and develop a personalised approach tailored to your specific needs.
Do not take Metformin+methylcobalamin if you have severe kidney damage, kidney failure, or are on dialysis. Additionally, individuals with metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, should not take Metformin+methylcobalamin. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Metformin+methylcobalamin. It's essential to discuss your medical history and any underlying conditions with your doctor before starting Metformin+methylcobalamin.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Metformin+methylcobalamin. Your doctor will weigh the potential benefits and risks to determine whether it is safe for you to use during pregnancy.
The common side effects of Metformin+methylcobalamin are changes in taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, anorexia (loss of appetite), and sweating. Please consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol along with Metformin+methylcobalamin, as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis.
