Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet belongs to the class of antidiabetic drugs, primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus with a proper diet and exercise. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet also lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure in type 2 diabetic patients with heart diseases. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produce little or no insulin at all. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet is not indicated for use in type 1 diabetes.

Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet is composed of two antidiabetic medicines, namely: Metformin and Canagliflozin. Metformin belongs to the class of biguanides, which reduce increased blood glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion. Canagliflozin belongs to the class of gliflozins. It works by reducing blood sugar levels by eliminating excess sugars from the body through urine. 

Use Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet as advised by your doctor. Some common side effects of Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, gas, headache, weakness, frequent urination and indigestion. Sometimes, Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet can cause side effects like lactic acidosis (a rare, but serious metabolic complication of excess lactic acid in the blood that is caused by metformin accumulation) and diabetic ketoacidosis (excess production of blood acids (ketones)). These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor. 

Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), hence it advised to take healthy food with enough calories and avoid heavy exercises. Do not take or stop this medicine, if the doctor did not advise you to do so. Before starting Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet , let your doctor know if you have any medical history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, blood disorders, dehydration, alcohol use, low blood pressure and yeast infection of genitals. It is advised to avoid your alcohol intake while using Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet to decrease lactic acidosis risk. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet treats type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains Metformin and Canagliflozin. Metformin is a biguanide and manages blood sugar levels. It exhibits a nonpancreatic effect to reduce blood glucose levels without increasing the insulin secretion. It is also known as insulin sensitizer as it increases the effects of insulin. Metformin is considered a unique antidiabetic drug since it does not cause hypoglycemia (lowered blood sugar levels). Canagliflozin belongs to the class of gliflozins. It works by reducing blood sugar levels by eliminating excess sugars from the body through urine. Canagliflozin reduces the risk of end-stage kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients with renal impairment. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet also reduces the risk of serious heart diseases, such as heart attack or stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet may be advised with or without other medications along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels. 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Gas
• Headache
• Weakness
• Frequent urination
• Indigestion 
• Lactic acidosis (rare)
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (rare) 

Inform your doctor if you take other antidiabetic drugs to adjust the dosage of Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet accordingly. Do not abruptly stop taking Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet midway if the doctor did not advise you. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), hence it is advised to make healthy food with enough calories and avoid heavy exercises. Brief your medical history if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems (asthma, obstructive lung diseases), blood problems like anaemia (lack of blood cells), vitamin B12 deficiency, dehydration, alcohol use, low blood pressure, mineral imbalance (high levels of potassium) and yeast infection of genitals. Avoid alcohol intake while using Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet since it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Canagliflozin in Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet may increase the risk of leg amputation (removal of the leg) in conditions like foot ulcers, heart diseases, circulation problems and nerve damage. Hence, it is advised to inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before you start Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet . Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your doctor may advise alternate medications to control your diabetic condition in such cases. Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet is not recommended for people younger than 18 years of age.  

Drug-Drug Interaction: Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet may interact with water pills (hydrochlorothiazide), fits medicines (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir, efavirenz), antibiotics (rifampin), cholesterol-lowering drugs (cholestyramine), heart-related drugs (digoxin, digitoxin), asthma treating drugs (salbutamol, terbutaline), pain killers (ibuprofen, celecoxib), drugs that treat acidity (cimetidine) and blood thinners (dabigatran).

Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol intake since it increases the risk of lactic acidosis. 

Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, blood disorders, dehydration, foot ulcers, nerve damage, alcohol use, low blood pressure and yeast infection of the genitals.

• HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
• PHENOBARBITAL
• PHENYTOIN
• CARBAMAZEPINE
• RITONAVIR
• EFAVIRENZ
• RIFAMPIN
• CHOLESTYRAMINE
• DIGOXIN
• DIGITOXIN
• SALBUTAMOL
• TERBUTALINE
• IBUPROFEN
• CELECOXIB
• CIMETIDINE
• DABIGATRAN

• Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain your blood glucose levels.
• Eat at regular intervals.
• Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
• Your doctor also guides you on noticing and managing the early symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels.
• Gastrointestinal side effects can be managed with simple modifications in your lifestyle. These include cutting down on sugars and fatty foods, and avoiding carbonated drinks and foods that cause gas. 

• It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
• If you need to undergo any x-ray or CT scan using a dye that should be injected into your veins, your doctor may suggest you to stop taking Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet temporarily.
• Regular monitoring of kidney functioning is advised while using Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet .
• Canagliflozin in Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet  may make you test positive for a urine glucose test, hence inform your doctor in advance that you take Vokanamet 50/1000 Tablet .

Diabetes mellitus 2, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is a type 2 diabetes and occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produce little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people aged above 40 years, but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors. The treatment includes oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin shots.