Glucomet (Metformin)

Therapeutic Group : Antidiabetic

Presentation:

Glucomet-500 Tablet: Each tablet contains Metformin Hydrochloride BP 500 mg.
Glucomet-850 Tablet: Each tablet contains Metformin Hydrochloride BP 850 mg.
Glucoment-500 XR Tablet: Each tablet contains Metformin Hydrochloride BP 500 mg.
Glucoment-750 XR Tablet: Each tablet contains Metformin Hydrochloride BP 750 mg.

Indications:

Non-insulin dependent adult diabetes mellitus, when over weight or obesity not responding to dietary therapy.
Glucomet can be given alone as initial therapy or can be administered in combination with a sulfonylurea.
In insulin dependent diabetics, Glucomet may be given as an adjuvant to patients whose symptoms are not well controlled and who are often obese.

Dosage & Administration:

The usual starting dose is 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once a day, given with meals. Dosage increase should be made in increments of 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every 2 weeks up to a total of 2000 mg per day, given in divided doses. Patients can be titrated from 500 mg twice a day to 850 mg twice a day after 2 weeks. For these patients requiring additional glycaemic control, Glucomet may be given to a maximum daily dose of 2550 mg per day. Doses above 2000 mg may be better tolerated when given three times a day with meals. The usual starting dose of Metformin HCl extended – release tablet is 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Dosage increase may be made up to a max. of 2000 mg once daily with the evening meal.

Contrainidications:

Hepatic or renal impairment (withdraw if renal impairment suspected), predisposition to lactic acidosis, heart failure, severe infection or trauma, dehydration, alcohol dependence, pregnancy, breast feeding etc.

Warning & Precautions:

Because of possibility of hypoglycemia in combination therapy with a sulphonylurea or insulin, diabetic control should be monitored by blood sugar readings.

Side effects:

Glucomet may cause gastro-intestinal adverse effects like diarrhoea, anorexia, nausea & vomiting. Lactic acidosis and malabsorption of vitamin B12 may be occurred. Patients may experience a metallic taste and there may be weight loss, which in some diabetics could be an advantage.

Drug interaction:

It may enhance the effects of anti-coagulants. As such patients receiving the two drugs concomitantly may need adjustment of the anti-coagulant dosage.

Packing:

Glucomet-500 Tablet: Each box contains 100’s tablets in blister pack.
Glucomet-850 Tablet: Each box contains 60’s tablets in blister pack.
Glucomet-500 XR Tablet: Each box contains 50’s tablets in blister pack.
Glucomet-750 XR Tablet: Each box contains 30’s tablets in blister pack.