Repaglinide+metformin
About Repaglinide+metformin
Metformin+repaglinide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. 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).
Metformin+repaglinide contains Repaglinide and Metformin. Repaglinide acts by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. Metformin acts by lowering the liver's glucose production, delaying glucose absorption from the intestines, and increasing the body's response to insulin. Together, Metformin+repaglinide helps treat type II diabetes.
In some cases, Metformin+repaglinide may cause side effects like taste change, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, and upper respiratory symptoms. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and resolve gradually overtime. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult the doctor.
Do not take Metformin+repaglinide if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform the doctor if you have renal impairment, metabolic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (excess acids in your blood). Consult the doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Let the doctor know about your health conditions and medications.
Uses of Repaglinide+metformin
Medicinal Benefits
Metformin+repaglinide belongs to the class of antidiabetic medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin+repaglinide contains Repaglinide and Metformin. Repaglinide acts by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. Metformin acts by lowering the liver's glucose production, delaying glucose absorption from the intestines, and increasing the body's response to insulin. Together, Metformin+repaglinide helps treat type II diabetes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Repaglinide+metformin
Dizziness
Sweating
Palpitations
hunger pangs
Dry mouth and skin
Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose level)
Drug Warnings
Some diabetic patients taking Metformin+repaglinide 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. Metformin+repaglinide may lower vitamin B12 levels, so try to have blood tests for vitamins. Metformin+repaglinide, when used with or without insulin, tends to lower the blood sugar level extremely. So, the doctor may lower the dose of insulin. Metformin+repaglinide may lower your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), so an annual check-up of TSH is suggested.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Metformin+repaglinide 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 Metformin+repaglinide.
Drug-Food Interactions: Taking Metformin+repaglinide 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: Metformin+repaglinide 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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Metformin+repaglinide to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Metformin+repaglinide in case you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionCaution should be exercised, and it is advisable to consult a doctor before using Metformin+repaglinide.
Driving
cautionMetformin+repaglinide 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.
Liver
cautionMetformin+repaglinide 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.
Kidney
cautionMetformin+repaglinide 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.
Children
unsafeMetformin+repaglinide is not recommended in children, as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
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 the long gap between a meal or snack.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are a lot of fluctuations.
- Invest in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise weekly.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates containing whole-grain foods and increase the intake of fruits, veggies, and other fibre-enriched foods.
- Reduce saturated fat (or hidden fats) intake in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you may use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You may adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or meditation to control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk, cheese, etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (120/80) as possible, as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
Special Advise
- Keep taking the drug even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose, cons. Consult a treating physician for advice.
- Take short, frequent meals, avoid prolonged fasting when taking this drug. Beware of hypoglycaemia symptoms include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc. Whenever you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies, three glucose biscuits, or three teaspoons of honey/sugar and get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially for long travels.
- Before the doctor prescribes this medicine, it is always better that your physician knows about any underlying conditions like kidney or liver disease, prior heart attack, alcohol intake, etc.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while on this drug as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (a decrease in blood sugar which might be fatal in some cases) and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body, impacting the functioning of various organs in the body).
- Try to quit smoking and reduce carbohydrate-rich food like potatoes, mangoes, bread, sugar etc.
- Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type II diabetes: It 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), 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+repaglinide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas, lowering the liver's glucose production, delaying glucose absorption from the intestines, and increasing the body's response to insulin.
A common side effect of Metformin+repaglinide is hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), characterized by dizziness, sweating, palpitations, hunger pangs, dry mouth, or skin. Hypoglycemia can occur if you miss or delay your food, drink alcohol, over-exercise, or take other antidiabetic medicine along with this medicine. It is important to monitor blood sugar levels regularly. Also, avoid missing meals and carry some form of sugar along with you.
Consult the doctor if you experience unusual thirst or pass urine more than normal while taking Metformin+repaglinide, as it may be a sign that there is too much sugar in your blood, and treatment needs to be adjusted. It may also be because of dehydration as Metformin+repaglinide can lead to loss of fluids. Increase intake of fluids; if even then you feel thirsty, please consult your doctor.
Yes, long-term usage of Metformin+repaglinide can cause vitamin B12 deficiency as it interferes with the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, nerve problems, tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet, weakness, urinary problems, affected mental status, and difficulty in maintaining balance. These symptoms can be managed by taking Vitamin B12 supplements as advised by your doctor.
If you feel that your blood sugar level is decreasing and you are feeling weak, immediately eat sugar candies or drink sugary beverages. It will help to balance the blood sugar level in your body. So, it is advisable to keep sugar candies with you.
