REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN belongs to a class of medicine known as an antidiabetic. It is a combination of two antidiabetic drugs: Repaglinide and Metformin. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong condition affecting how your body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or if the insulin is produced, it cannot perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Due to this, the blood glucose level increases, and symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger start. It can lead to serious complications like skin infection, eye problems (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), diabetic foot (foot ulcer), kidney disease (nephropathy), high blood pressure, and even stroke.
Repaglinide acts by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. It starts acting so quickly on controlling blood sugar levels immediately after a meal. On the other hand, Metformin, which is a 'biguanide', acts by lowering the liver's glucose production, delaying glucose absorption from the intestines, and increasing the body's response to insulin. In a nutshell, the two medicines prevent blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels, thus keeping your Diabetes under control. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN act together to keep your blood sugar levels under check. The strict control of blood sugars is essential to mention the many disabling side effects of Diabetes. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN shows optimum effects when taken along with healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, healthy diet, etc.
REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should be taken at the same time of the day each time for the best results. Your doctor will decide what dose should be taken for better advice, which can change quickly depending on your condition. A common side effect of REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN is hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), characterized by dizziness, sweating, palpitations, hunger pangs, dry mouth, skin, etc. So, to avoid hypoglycaemia, you should not miss meals and also should carry some form of sugar along with you. Other side effects include taste change, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, and upper respiratory symptoms.
You should not take REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN if you have renal impairment, metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis (excess acids in your blood), and receiving gemfibrozil (used to treat abnormal blood lipid levels). REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should not be stopped even if you feel better, without consulting your doctor as your sugar level keeps changing. If you stop taking REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN abruptly, it may increase your sugar levels which could further increase the risk of eyesight loss (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy). REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should not be taken if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus or severe kidney or liver disease. Please inform your doctor if you have any heart disease, are planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should be taken at the same time of the day each time for the best results. Your doctor will decide what dose should be taken for better advice, which can change quickly depending on your condition. A common side effect of REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN is hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), characterised by dizziness, sweating, palpitations, hunger pangs, dry mouth, skin, etc. To avoid hypoglycaemia, you should not miss meals and should carry some form of sugar along with you. Other side effects include taste change, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, and upper respiratory symptoms.
Some diabetic patients taking REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN may develop a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. In this condition, too much lactic acid is accumulated in the blood. So, your liver and kidney's proper functioning is required to eliminate excess lactic acid from the blood. You should not take REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN if you have kidney disease, as measured by a blood test. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN may lower vitamin B12 levels, so try to have blood tests for annual blood and vitamin. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN, when used with or without insulin, tends to lower the blood sugar level extremely. So, the doctor may lower the dose of insulin. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN may lower your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), so an annual check-up of TSH is suggested.
Drug-Drug Interactions: REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN may interact with insulin, high blood pressure-lowering pills (hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine), water pills/diuretics (furosemide), heart failure-related medicines (digoxin), anti-hypertensive (metoprolol), steroids (prednisolone), thyroid hormones etc. So, tell your doctor if you are using these drugs before taking REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN.
Drug-Food Interactions: Taking REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) or hypoglycemia.
Drug-Disease Interactions: REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN should be avoided in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, liver problems, cardiovascular disease (heart-related issues), and low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) may worsen the condition.
You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN to avoid unpleasant side effects.
As the data around the use of REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN in pregnant women is limited, the use of REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN in pregnancy is restricted. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before taking this drug in case you are pregnant.
Caution should be exercised, and it is advisable to consult a doctor before using it.
REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), whose symptoms include unusual sleepiness, shivering, palpitations, sweating, etc. This may affect your ability to drive. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
The safety and efficacy of REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN in children have not been established. REPAGLINIDE+METFORMIN is not recommended in children.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body cannot make sufficient insulin, or the insulin that it makes doesn't work properly or is utilized by our body. This can cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). Type 2 diabetes symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. There may be weight gain in some cases, while in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), and retinopathy (damaged retina of eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increase in the chance of heart attack or stroke.