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Last updated on April 9th, 2022
Glimepiride and Metformin, both help diabetes patients in keeping their blood sugar levels under control. Being an anti-diabetic drug, Metformin chemically biguanide, helps reduce glucose production within the liver, while Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by enhancing the release of body’s natural insulin (a natural substance that is needed to break down sugar in the body) and helps the body use insulin efficiently. It belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas.
Doctors administer these medications together to maintain optimal blood glucose levels in the patient’s body.
Uses of Glimepiride and Metformin
Glimepiride helps in combating type 2 diabetes. This drug will only help lower blood sugar in people whose bodies naturally produce insulin and is ineffective in diabetes mellitus type 1. Doctors recommend having these medicines along with a healthy diet and adequate exercising.
This medicine can be used with insulin or other types of diabetes medicines to help control your high blood sugar.
Metformin reacts in your body to bring down the blood sugar levels. Doctors suggest having this drug along with a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. When a patient takes metformin, it helps restore the insulin response that occurs naturally in the human body. Taking this drug as per the doctor’s recommendation, aids in reducing sugar production by the liver.
In most of the cases of type 2 diabetes, the doctor suggests consuming Glimepiride and Metformin in a combination form after analysing the patient’s condition. In this case, you must:
- Follow the instructions given by the doctor
- Take medications as mentioned in the prescription
- Read the info available on the medicine cover carefully
- Understand the procedure perfectly
- Doctors usually prescribe two doses of each medicine for a day, but depending upon your condition, your dosage might be adjusted
Summary
Glimepiride and Metformin are known to produce great results for diabetes, and are the best combinational anti-diabetic drugs available in the market. However, since diabetes is a lifestyle disorder, for better results, the drugs must be taken along with a healthy diet and sufficient amount of exercise.
Side Effects of Glimepiride and Metformin
This medicine can cause changes in blood sugar levels. You need to know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
Glimepiride and Metformin, when taken in combination, may cause some side effects. Consult with your physician as soon as possible if any of the below-mentioned symptoms get severe or persist for a significant amount of time
Side effects Glimepiride and Metformin could be:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Hypoglycemia
- Deep or rapid breathing
- Muscle spasms
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Taste change
- Stomach Ache
- Loss of energy
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Muscle weakness
- seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
It is advised to immediately see your doctor if you suffer from any of the above-mentioned health issues. After evaluating your condition, your doctor will determine the future course of action to help you in getting relief from the side effects.
It is a rare occurrence, but sometimes, the patient may suffer from severe side-effects, such as lactic acidosis (which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood) or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice). In such cases, the patients are advised to immediately see a doctor to cut down the chances of anything serious.
Also, you must tell your doctor if you have a history of being allergic to any of the ingredients used in Glimepiride and Metformin.
Summary:
These medications, on being given together, do not usually produce any side effects, but in some patients, they may suffer from some mild symptoms like Vomiting, Headache, Hypoglycemia, Deep or rapid breathing, Muscle spasms, Upper respiratory tract infection, Taste change, Stomach Ache, etc. There are some serious side-effects also but they occur very rarely. If you experience any of these symptoms, or the symptoms persist for a long time, you are advised to see a doctor immediately.
Glimepiride Interactions
While taking glimepiride, you must talk to your doctor before consuming alcohol, as it may cause side-effects. Depending upon your condition, your doctor may suggest you to either take alcohol in moderation or stop consuming it completely.
Ignoring the warning on alcohol consumption may cause symptoms like vomiting, flushing, nausea, chest pain, headache, blurred vision, weakness, sweating, choking, breathing difficulty, mental confusion, and anxiety.
Apart from alcohol consumption, the patients while being on glimepiride are advised to avoid prolonged sun exposure. They should wear protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen as the medicine makes your skin sensitive to sunlight.
You should also discuss with your doctor beforehand to know the procedure to follow if you fall sick, get an infection or fever or feel stressed. These conditions may increase your blood glucose levels, leading your doctor to adjust your dosage.
Also Read: Galvus met for diabetes
Metformin Interactions
While being on metformin, you can consume alcohol but only in moderate amounts. Women can have a drink a day and men can have a couple of drinks a day while being on this medication, but drinking heavily during the time may cause serious concerns.
Heavy drinking is known to increase the risk of lactic acidosis, and it is also a side-effect of metformin. Hence, consuming both the things at the same time only doubles your chances of developing lactic acidosis.
Experts, however, clear you to eat anything while being on this drug. Metformin generally works by reducing your blood sugar levels between meals, hence, it allows you to eat anything (however, in moderation) while being on this medication.
Generally, you are advised to take metformin along with meals as it may reduce the chances of any gastrointestinal (GI) issues. You can also take metformin without food too if you do not have any symptoms of GI.
Summary
Glimepiride and Metformin, both, are very helpful in controlling blood glucose levels, but when you are taking them in combination, you are advised not to consume alcohol in large amounts. It is more beneficial for the patients if they take the medicine with the meal to avoid the possibility of any kind of stomach disturbance.
Missed Dose of Glimepiride and Metformin
It is advised to consume a missed dose as soon as you remember. You must skip your missed dose if the time of your next dose is very near. Trying to co compensate for a missed dose is never recommended as it may cause health complications in the patient.
Overdose of Glimepiride and Metformin
Overdose of these Glimepiride and Metformin can lead to other health problems in a patient.Breathing difficulty, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting are some of the side effects that a patient can suffer from. Hence, overdosing of these medications is strictly forbidden.
Also Read: Long term side effects of metformin
WARNINGS
Pregnancy
Pregnant women are advised to take metformin and glimepiride only if their doctor recommends it. You should never start the combination of these drugs on your own, as it can cause serious complications.
You are advised to talk to your doctor first about the benefits and side-effects of taking metformin and glimepiride together before starting the course. After analyzing your condition, your doctor may suggest a different medication.
Nursing Mothers
Breastfeeding mothers should not take the combination of metformin and glimepiride, as studies have shown that it can pass into breast milk and cause health problems in babies. Self-medication of these drugs is completely forbidden for nursing mothers.
Summary
These drugs should not be consumed by lactating mothers and pregnant women as some studies have shown that these medications may pass on to the baby, which may cause complications. Hence, patients are recommended to see a doctor in such conditions to rule out the possibility of any complications.
Takeaway
Glimepiride And Metformin are very effective anti-diabetes medications. Doctors widely use these drugs to treat diabetes in patients. On time consumption of these drugs helps in maintaining blood sugar levels in patients. When a patient is kept on these drugs, the medical practitioner advises to follow a proper diet chart and exercise regime.
Also Read: Hba1c test full form
FAQs:
What is the safest drug to take for type 2 diabetes?
Experts believe that Metformin is still the safest and the most reliable drug to manage type-2 diabetes.
Is glimepiride bad for kidneys?
Glimepiride is safe and effective for diabetic patients with kidney functions. The raised plasma release of glimepiride with reduced kidney function is understandable on the basis of altered protein binding with an increase in unbound drug.
What is the best time of day to take glimepiride?
You are generally given glimepiride once in a day. This medicine produces better results when taken along with food. Usually, people take it right after breakfast in the morning. If you do not take breakfast, you should make sure to take it along with the first meal of the day.
When should I take metformin and glimepiride?
These medications should be taken after breakfast and dinner, or as suggested by the doctor. The highest dose per day should not exceed 8mg for glimepiride and 2000mg for metformin. Only a few patients see positive results with more than 6mg daily dosage of glimepiride.
How does glimepiride and metformin work together?
Taking Metformin and Glimepiride together can raise your risk of developing hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. While being on this combination of drugs, you are advised to keep a close watch on your blood glucose levels to know if you need a dose adjustment. It is highly recommended to consult a doctor immediately if the patient experiences hypoglycemia while undergoing treatment.
References:
- https://www.getroman.com/health-guide/metformin-interactions/
- https://www.rxwiki.com/glimepiride
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8960852/
Last Updated on by Dr. Damanjit Duggal
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