Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone
About Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone belongs to a class of medicines called anti-diabetic drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that affects the way our body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced is unable to perform its function in the body (insulin resistance).
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is a combination of three antidiabetic drugs, namely: Glimepiride, Metformin, and Pioglitazone. Glimepiride works by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Thus, insulin helps to remove sugar from the blood. Metformin works by reducing the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Pioglitazone works by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, and fat cells to insulin and enables cells to remove glucose from blood more effectively. Thereby, Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone helps to control blood sugar levels.
Take Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, metallic taste, or low blood sugar. Most of these side effects of Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is not recommended for children. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may be excreted in human milk. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may harm the unborn baby. Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone should be used with caution in elderly patients. Avoid alcohol consumption with Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body). Drive only if you are alert after taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone.
Uses of Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone
Medicinal Benefits
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone contains three antidiabetic drugs (Glimepiride, Metformin and Voglibose) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Glimepiride stimulates cells in the pancreas that produce insulin which helps to remove sugar from the blood. Metformin reduces the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Pioglitazone works by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle and fat cells to insulin and enables cells to remove glucose from blood more effectively. Also, it decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver and preserves the functioning of beta cells in the pancreas that produces insulin. Thereby, Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone helps to control blood sugar levels.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Metallic taste
- Low blood sugar
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is not recommended for children. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may be excreted in human milk. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may harm the unborn baby. Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone should be used with caution in elderly patients. Avoid alcohol consumption with Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body). Drive only if you are alert after taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone. Take short, frequent meals and avoid prolonged fasting while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone. Beware of symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc. Whenever you experience any of these symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies or 3 glucose biscuits, or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar, and also consult your doctor. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially during long travels.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may have interaction with other antidiabetic drugs (insulin, sitagliptin, empagliflozin), water pill (furosemide), antithyroid drugs (levothyroxine), anticonvulsant (pregabalin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid the consumption of alcohol with Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body).
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have bladder cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis (accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood), or eye problems caused by diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body).
Pregnancy
unsafeGlimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is not recommended for pregnant women as it may harm an unborn baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may be excreted in breastmilk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Therefore, please consult a doctor before using Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionGlimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may decrease alertness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone.
Liver
cautionTake Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeGlimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Invest at least 150 minutes of your week in exercise.
Maintain healthy body weight as obesity is also related to the onset of diabetes.
Maintain a low fat and a low sugar diet. Replace carbohydrates-containing foods with whole grains, fruits and vegetables as carbohydrates turn to sugars leading to high blood sugar.
Avoid consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone to monitor blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that keeps the body away from properly utilizing 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 frequent urination at night, increased thirst, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be weight gain while in rare cases weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes nerve problems, kidney problems, damaged retina of eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and increase chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone.
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone contains Glimepiride, Metformin and Pioglitazone. Glimepiride works by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Thus, insulin helps to remove sugar from the blood. Metformin works by reducing the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Pioglitazone works by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle and fat cells to insulin and enables cells to remove glucose from blood more effectively. Thereby, Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone helps to control blood sugar levels.
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may increase the risk of low blood sugar levels especially with alcohol intake, when you exercise more than usual, delay or miss snacks or meal. However, if you experience any signs of low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, dehydration or fainting, please consult a doctor.
You are not recommended to take Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone with pregabalin as it may cause weight gain and fluid retention that could lead to heart failure. However, please consult a doctor before using Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone with other medicines.
In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin as the islet cells (insulin-producing cells) in the pancreas are destroyed completed. In type 2 diabetes, though islet cells are working, the body doesn’t respond to insulin as the body becomes resistant to insulin.
You are not recommended to stop taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone on your own as discontinuing Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone suddenly may cause recurring symptoms or worsen the condition. However, if you experience any difficulty while taking Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone, please consult your doctor so that alternative medicine may be prescribed.
Yes, Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may cause stomach upset as a side effect. Drink water/fluids in small, frequent amounts and chew the food properly while eating.
You are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body).
Inform the doctor if you are taking any other medicines, have any other medical conditions, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Yes, Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly on long-term use. Consult the doctor if you experience symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency such as headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, mental impairment, pins and needle sensation, and pale skin.
Store Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Glimepiride+metformin+pioglitazone may cause side effects like stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, metallic taste, or low blood sugar. If the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
