REPAGLINIDE/METFORMIN - ORAL

REPAGLINIDE/METFORMIN - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (reh-PAGG-lin-ide/met-FOR-min)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Prandimet

GENERIC NAME(S): repaglinide/metformin HCl

Uses

USES: This diabetes medication is a combination of 2 drugs (repaglinide and metformin). It is used along with a diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Repaglinide works by stimulating the release of your body's natural insulin. Metformin is a biguanide and works by decreasing the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb. Both of these medications work by helping to restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.


How to use REPAGLINIDE/METFORMIN - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth within 30 minutes before a meal as directed by your doctor, usually 2-3 times a day. Do not take a dose of medication if you are skipping a meal. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). To reduce your risk of side effects (such as upset stomach), your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you are changing from a different diabetes drug (such as chlorpropamide), follow your doctor's directions carefully for stopping the old drug and starting this combination medication. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Carefully follow the medication treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Keep track of the results and share them with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar measurements are too high or too low. Your treatment plan may need to be changed.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach may occur as your body adjusts to the metformin. Weight gain and joint pain may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after you are on the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor right away. Stomach symptoms that occur after the first days of your treatment may be a sign of lactic acidosis. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you drink large amounts of alcohol, do unusually heavy exercise, or do not consume enough calories from food. Symptoms include cold sweat, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, fast heartbeat, headache, fainting, tingling of the hands/feet, and hunger. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor about the reaction right away. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your dosage may need to be increased. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: See also Warning section. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to repaglinide or metformin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, breathing problems (such as obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), blood problems (such as anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack), liver disease, recent stroke. Before having surgery or any X-ray/scanning procedure using iodinated contrast, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). You may need to stop this medication for a short time for the surgery/procedure. Ask your doctor or dentist for instructions before your surgery/procedure. You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcohol while taking this medication because it can increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about using alcohol safely. It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Tell your doctor if you get a serious infection or injury. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Older adults may be at greater risk for side effects such as low blood sugar or lactic acidosis. This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle and make it easier to become pregnant. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist about using reliable birth control. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Insulin treatment may be preferred during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. A product that may interact with this drug is: NPH insulin. Other medications can affect the removal of repaglinide from your body, which may affect how repaglinide works. Examples include clopidogrel, gemfibrozil, trimethoprim, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, among others. Other drugs can affect the kidneys. This effect may slow down the removal of metformin from the body. Metformin may also slow down the removal of other drugs. Examples of affected drugs include some antibiotics (such as cephalexin, penicillin) and probenecid. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) carefully. Some products may contain sugar or alcohol and may affect your blood sugar. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these products safely. Other medications can affect the results of urine tests for sugar or ketones. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: very fast heartbeat, vision changes, unexplained heavy sweating, agitation, fainting, seizures.

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Faq for REPAGLINIDE/METFORMIN - ORAL

Repaglinide/Metformin is a combination medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It contains two active ingredients, Repaglinide and Metformin, which work together to control blood sugar levels.

Repaglinide stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, while Metformin helps to lower glucose production and increase the body's sensitivity to insulin. This combination helps to regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Before taking this medication, you should inform your healthcare provider about any allergies, medical conditions, or medications you are currently taking. It is important to mention if you have kidney or liver problems, heart conditions, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The dosage of Repaglinide/Metformin may vary depending on individual factors such as age, medical condition, and response to treatment. It is generally taken with meals and should be followed as prescribed by your doctor.

Common side effects of this medication may include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, or dizziness. Contact your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Serious side effects such as signs of liver problems, allergic reactions, or lactic acidosis are rare but require immediate medical attention.

It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements. Some medications may interact with Repaglinide/Metformin and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.

The onset of action for Repaglinide/Metformin can vary, but it generally starts working within 1-2 hours after taking the medication. It is important to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle changes as recommended by your doctor for better results.

This medication is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm the unborn baby. It is important to discuss other suitable options with your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you become pregnant while taking Repaglinide/Metformin.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.


Warning

WARNING: Rarely, too much metformin can build up in the body and cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is more likely if you are an older adult, if you have kidney or liver disease, dehydration, heart failure, heavy alcohol use, if you have surgery, if you have X-ray or scanning procedures that use iodinated contrast, or if you are using certain drugs. For some conditions, your doctor may tell you to stop taking this medication for a short time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Stop taking this medication and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as unusual tiredness, dizziness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, or stomach pain with nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.