What is Metformin for:
This medication is an oral antidiabetic agent, prescribed for type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels.
How does Metformin work:
Metformin lowers sugar and helps insulin work better.
How should Metformin be used:
Take Metformin exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor. - Metformin must be taken regularly for it to work well. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor. - Metformin must be taken with food. - If you are taking an extended-release type of Metformin, swallow the tablet whole with food. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
Common side effects of Metformin :
Low blood sugar signs include, anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar. - Belly pain. - Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. - Loose stools (diarrhea). - Not hungry. - Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal. - Too much acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) may rarely happen.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. - If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. - Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. - Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What precautions should I take when taking Metformin :
Metformin may not be suitable for you if you suffer from heart, liver, kidney, adrenal or pituitary disease. - Alert your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. - If you are going for an operation, dental work or any X-ray procedure in which a dye is injected, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Metformin. - You may need to stop taking Metformin before the procedure and wait 48 hours to restart your medicine.
When do I need to seek medical help
If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. - Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. - These include wheezing, chest tightness, fever, itching, bad cough, blue or gray skin color, seizures, or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. - Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar. - Very bad dizziness. - Trouble breathing. - Feeling cold. - Very bad belly pain. - Very upset stomach or throwing up. - Very loose stools (diarrhea). - A big weight loss. - Very bad muscle pain or weakness. - Feeling very tired or weak. - Any rash. - Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Can I take Metformin with other medicines:
A type of heart medicine called beta-blockers may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia when taken with Metformin. Some examples of beta-blockers are metoprolol, atenolol and propranolol. - Inform your doctor if you are taking diuretics (medicines to remove excess water) such as hydrochlorothiazide; a group of heart medicine such as captopril or enalapril; a type of gastric medicine called cimetidine or birth control pills. - Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Are there any food restrictions
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control. - Avoid alcohol.
How do I store Metformin :
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. - Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Pregnancy Category
Category B : Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women OR Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester.
Therapeutic Classification
Antidiabetic Agents
What is Alpha lipoic acid for:
Alpha-lipoic acid is a vitamin-like chemical called an antioxidant. Alpha-lipoic acid is used for diabetes and nerve-related symptoms of diabetes including burning, pain, and numbness in the legs and arms. Alpha-lipoic acid is also used for memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), HIV/AIDS, cancer, liver disease, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (including a disorder called cardiac autonomic neuropathy) and Lyme disease.It is also used to treat eye-related disorders, such as damage to the retina, cataracts, glaucoma, and an eye disease called Wilson’s disease.
How does Alpha lipoic acid work:
Alpha-lipoic acid seems to help prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body, and also restores vitamin levels such as vitamin E and vitamin C. There is also evidence that alpha-lipoic acid can improve the function and conduction of neurons in diabetes.Alpha-lipoic acid is used in the body to break down carbohydrates and to make energy for the other organs in the body.Alpha-lipoic acid seems to work as an antioxidant, which means that it might provide protection to the brain under conditions of damage or injury. The antioxidant effects might also be helpful in certain liver diseases.
How should Alpha lipoic acid be used:
For treating type 2 diabetes and improving symptoms such as burning, pain, and numbness in the legs and arms. Use the medicine daily as directed by the physician
Common side effects of Alpha lipoic acid :
Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly safe for most adults when taken by mouth , when used intravenously or when applied to the skin. People taking alpha-lipoic acid by mouth might get a rash. People at risk for thiamine deficiency should take a thiamine supplement.People with diabetes should be careful to check their blood sugar levels because alpha-lipoic acid might lower blood sugar.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Although not all side effects are known, alpha-lipoic acid is thought to be possibly safe when taken as directed.
Stop taking alpha-lipoic acid and call your doctor at once if you have:
Low blood sugar-headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
Common side effects may include:nausea; or skin rash.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra alpha-lipoic acid to make up the missed dose.
What precautions should I take when taking Alpha lipoic acid :
Alpha-lipoic acid can decrease blood sugar levels. Your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.Alcohol can lower the amount of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the body. Taking alpha-lipoic acid when there is a shortage of thiamine might cause serious health problems. If you drink a lot of alcohol and take alpha-lipoic acid too, you should take a thiamine supplement.Taking alpha-lipoic acid might interfere with treatments for under-active or over-active thyroid.
Avoid using alpha-lipoic acid together with other herbal/health supplements that can also lower your blood sugar. This includes devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, and Siberian ginseng.
When do I need to seek medical help
Consult your doctor if you have:
liver disease;
diabetes (alpha-lipoic acid can cause low blood sugar);
a thyroid disorder;
a thiamine deficiency (thiamine is a form of vitamin B); or
if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
Can I take Alpha lipoic acid with other medicines:
Medications for cancer (Chemotherapy) interacts with Alpha-Lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for cancers.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Alpha-Lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Do not take alpha-lipoic acid without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: Insulin or oral diabetes medicine; Medicines to treat underactive thyroid, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid) and others; or Cancer medicines (chemotherapy).
How do I store Alpha lipoic acid :
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Pregnancy Category
Pregnancy Category:N. Not enough is known about the use of alpha-lipoic acid during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Therapeutic Classification
Supplements & Adjuvant Therapy
