Metformin 500 mg HCl Prolonged release Voglibose 0.2 mg Tablet

Metformin 500 mg HCl Prolonged-release Voglibose 0.2 mg Tablet belongs to the drug class of anti-diabetic drugs. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes Mellitus, which is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Generally, it occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance), or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produces little or no insulin at all.

This medicine is made up of two effective drugs: Metformin and Voglibose. One should take Metformin 500 mg HCl Prolonged-release Voglibose 0.2 mg Tablet as per the dosage and duration advised by the doctor. It should be taken at regular intervals to avoid stomach upset. The dosage and duration of this medicine depend on the condition and tolerance of an individual patient. Your doctor may start this course with a low dose and gradually maintain an effective dose to achieve the required blood glucose control.

Working Mechanism

This effective combination contains voglibose and metformin. The working of both these drugs is mentioned below.

Voglibose:

Voglibose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that reduces intestinal absorption of starch, dextrin, and disaccharides by inhibiting the action of α-glucosidase in the intestinal brush border. Inhibition of this enzyme halts the decomposition of disaccharides into monosaccharides and slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates; the postprandial rise in plasma glucose is blunted in both normal and diabetic subjects resulting in improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia and various disorders caused by hyperglycemia. α-glucosidase inhibitors do not stimulate insulin release and therefore do not result in hypoglycemia. 

Metformin:

Metformin is a biguanide with antihyperglycemic effects, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. It does not stimulate insulin secretion and therefore does not produce hypoglycemia. Metformin may act via 3 mechanisms:

• By reducing hepatic glucose production through inhibition of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. 
• By increasing insulin sensitivity in muscle, improving peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.
• By delaying intestinal glucose absorption.

Directions for Use

Metformin + Voglibose is available as an oral tablet formulation. Your doctor prescribes the dosage based on your disease conditions and tolerance. Do not chew, crush or break the tablet and swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Take Metformin + Voglibose preferably with a meal, since it lowers the blood sugar levels and causes gastrointestinal side effects. Your doctor may start the course with a low dose and gradually maintain an effective dose to achieve the required blood glucose control.

Precautions

Metformin + Voglibose may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypoglycemic conditions in renal and liver disease patients. It can cause pneumatosis intestinalis (gas-filled cysts on the bowel wall) when used along with other alpha-gastrointestinal drugs. It is advised to monitor the gastrointestinal side effects thoroughly to rule out the possibility of pneumatosis intestinalis.

Metformin + Voglibose has an increased risk of lactic acidosis (a rare, but serious metabolic complication of excess lactic acid in the blood that is caused by metformin accumulation). The risk of lactic acidosis is high in older people with kidney, liver, and heart diseases. Hence, brief your medical history and take advice from your doctor before starting Metformin + Voglibose. Avoid consuming excessive alcohol as it can potentiate lactic acidosis.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Metformin + Voglibose may interact with anti-depressants (selegiline, isocarboxazid, phenelzine), anti-inflammatory drugs (prednisolone, phenylbutazone), drugs that treat fluid retention (metolazone, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide), medicines used to treat high blood pressure (propranolol, metoprolol), anabolic, and corticosteroids. Please check the instruction leaflet that comes with the medication before you take Metformin + Voglibose.

Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it affects blood sugar levels. Avoid fatty foods and include healthy carbohydrates in your diet.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart diseases, liver, and kidney problems. METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE may cause pneumatosis intestinalis (gas-filled cysts on the bowel wall) when used along with other alpha-gastrointestinal drugs.

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

It is unsafe to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects.

PREGNANCY

METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE may cause a risk in pregnancy. Please consult your doctor before starting METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE.

BREASTFEEDING

There is no sufficient data on how METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE affects breastfeeding. It is safe to seek medical advice before you start METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE if you are lactating.

DRIVING

Your driving ability may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience dizziness or drowsiness.

LIVER

Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when you are prescribed METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE.

KIDNEY

Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed METFORMIN+VOGLIBOSE