Benfotiamine+metformin
About
Benfotiamine+metformin belongs to the class of antidiabetic drugs, primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. 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) produce little or no insulin at all.
Benfotiamine+metformin is composed of Benfotiamine and Metformin. Benfotiamine is a synthetic form of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine. It treats diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes) and relieves symptoms like numbness, tingling, burning and needle-like sensations in the hands and feet. Metformin belongs to the class of biguanides and manages blood sugar levels, particularly in obese patients. It exhibits a nonpancreatic effect to reduce blood glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion.
Take Benfotiamine+metformin as advised by your doctor. Some common side effects of Benfotiamine+metformin include nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, loss of appetite and taste changes. Sometimes, Benfotiamine+metformin can cause side effects like lactic acidosis (a rare but serious metabolic complication of excess lactic acid in the blood that is caused by metformin accumulation) and diabetic ketoacidosis (excess production of blood acids (ketones)). These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Benfotiamine+metformin may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); hence it is advised to take healthy food with enough calories and avoid heavy exercises. Do not take or stop this medicine if the doctor did not advise you to do so. Before starting Benfotiamine+metformin, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, blood disorders, and alcohol use. It is advised to avoid your alcohol intake while using Benfotiamine+metformin to decrease the risk of lactic acidosis and lowering of blood sugar levels. Please seek medical advice before using Benfotiamine+metformin if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.
Uses of Benfotiamine+metformin
Medicinal Benefits
Benfotiamine+metformin treats type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains Metformin and Benfotiamine. Benfotiamine is a lab-made version of vitamin B1, also called thiamine. The body turns Benfotiamine into thiamine. Thiamine helps in delivering essential nutrients to the nerves. It treats diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes) and relieves symptoms like numbness, tingling, burning, and needle-like sensations in the hands and feet. Metformin is a biguanide and manages blood sugar levels, particularly in obese patients. It exhibits a nonpancreatic effect to reduce blood glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion. It is also known as an insulin sensitizer as it increases the effects of insulin. Metformin is considered a unique antidiabetic drug since it does not cause hypoglycemia (lowered blood sugar levels).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Benfotiamine+metformin
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Taste changes
- Lactic acidosis (rare)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (rare)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you take other antidiabetic drugs to adjust the dosage of Benfotiamine+metformin accordingly. Do not abruptly stop taking Benfotiamine+metformin midway if the doctor did not advise you. Benfotiamine+metformin may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); hence it is advised to take healthy food with enough calories and avoid heavy exercises. Brief your medical history if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems (asthma, obstructive lung diseases), blood problems like anaemia (lack of blood cells), dehydration, and alcohol use. Avoid alcohol intake while using Benfotiamine+metformin since it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother. Benfotiamine+metformin is not recommended for people younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Benfotiamine+metformin may interact with anti-cancer drugs (fluorouracil), blood pressure medicines (metoprolol, propranolol), and glaucoma medicine (timolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol intake since it increases the risk of lactic acidosis and lowering blood sugar levels.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Benfotiamine+metformin if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, blood disorders, and alcohol use.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like lactic acidosis and increase the risk of developing low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionBenfotiamine+metformin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs the risk. Please consult your doctor before starting Benfotiamine+metformin if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionBenfotiamine+metformin is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Please seek medical advice for further information if you are a nursing mother before starting Benfotiamine+metformin.
Driving
cautionYour driving may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when prescribed Benfotiamine+metformin.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Benfotiamine+metformin. However, Benfotiamine+metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment/kidney diseases.
Children
unsafeBenfotiamine+metformin is not recommended for people younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain your blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
- Your doctor also guides you on noticing and managing the early symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels.
- Gastrointestinal side effects can be managed with simple modifications in your lifestyle. These include cutting down on sugars and fatty foods, and avoiding carbonated drinks and foods that cause gas.
Special Advise
- It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Regular monitoring of kidney functioning is advised while using Benfotiamine+metformin.
- If you experience severe hypoglycaemia, your doctor may advise a glucagon injection kit. Let your family and friends know how to give you this injection in cases of emergency.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is type 2 diabetes and 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) produce little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people aged above 40 years but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors. The treatment includes oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin shots.
FAQs
Benfotiamine+metformin contains Metformin and Benfotiamine. Metformin lowers the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus by decreasing the production and absorption of sugar in the body. Benfotiamine, a synthetic form of Vitamin B1, reduces diabetic neuropathy symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, and needle-like sensation in the hands and feet.
Benfotiamine+metformin may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and can make you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Benfotiamine+metformin with a meal. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, it is advised to eat or drink fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda.
Your doctor may advise Benfotiamine+metformin with or without other medications to control your blood sugar levels. However, it is advised to maintain a proper diet and exercise to achieve the controlled blood sugar levels while using Benfotiamine+metformin with or without other antidiabetic drugs.
While using Benfotiamine+metformin, if you experience vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, muscle cramps, sick feeling, severe tiredness, difficulty in breathing, or reduced body temperature and heartbeat, it is important to seek immediate medical help since these are the symptoms of lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication caused due to accumulation of metformin. It is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment. Please consult your doctor for further information.
It is not recommended to use Benfotiamine+metformin along with water pills/diuretics. Simultaneous use of Benfotiamine+metformin and water pills causes dehydration and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.