Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin
About
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin belongs to the class of medications called ‘antidiabetics’ used in treating diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a chronic progressive nerve disease that causes nerve pain due to nerve damage in diabetic patients. It is a complication seen in diabetic patients (especially those with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes). It mostly affects the legs and feet.
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin contains Epalrestat, Methylcobalamin, and Pregabalin. Epalrestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor. The inhibition of aldose reductase (an enzyme) can reduce levels of sorbitol, which causes nerve damage. It doesn’t show any effect on glucose levels. Methylcobalamin is vitamin B12 that helps rejuvenate and protect damaged nerve cells by producing a substance called myelin (the protective layer of nerve cells). Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant that affects the chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side effects of Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, diarrhoea, dry mouth, blurred vision, increased appetite, trouble concentrating, and swelling in the hands and feet. These side effects usually resolve without requiring any treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin if you are allergic to any contents of it. It should not be used in patients with severe liver disease. Before taking Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin, inform your doctor if you have mood disorders, lung problems, heart problems, bleeding disorders, kidney disease, drug or alcohol abuse, and angioedema (a severe allergic reaction). It is not approved for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It should be used with caution in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and elderly people. Do not consume alcohol while taking this medicine. Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may decrease alertness and vision, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Uses of Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin
Medicinal Benefits
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin is used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, which is a complication seen in patients with diabetes. It can effectively reduce pain by reducing nerve damage. It can slow down the progression of the disease. It can also improve other symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping and tiredness. It can help you to perform daily activities normally, thereby improving your quality of life. Adherence to anti-diabetic medicines is necessary to control disease and get the overall benefits of this medicine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Increase in appetite
- Trouble concentrating
- Swelling in the hands and feet
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should be used with caution in patients with heart problems, as it may cause weight gain and swelling in the hands and feet. Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may cause an increase in the liver enzymes, so it is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease. Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may cause suicidal tendencies in some patients. So, inform your doctor if you notice any mood changes. It may cause dizziness and somnolence (sleepiness). So, it might increase the risk of accidental injury in elderly patients. Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may also cause temporary vision problems. However, if this condition is persistent, consult your doctor immediately. Patients with diabetes who gain weight with Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may need a change in diabetic medicines. If you notice urination problems while taking Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin, inform your doctor as Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may cause kidney failure in some cases. Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, so it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis in patients who are suspected to have a vitamin B12 deficiency. In some cases, Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may decrease sperm count in men, so ask your doctor about the possible risks before taking this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may interact with medicines used to treat diabetes (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone), medicines used to treat high blood pressure (lisinopril, captopril, enalapril, and ramipril, etc.), an antibiotic (neomycin), and anti-gout medication (colchicine), and anti-ulcer medicines (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, and omeprazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while using Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases, kidney diseases, heart problems, bleeding disorders, lung problems, alcoholism, drug abuse, mood disorders, and suicidal tendencies.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsumption of alcohol may worsen the condition by increasing the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin is a category C medicine. It is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. The doctor prescribes this medicine if he/she thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. So, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Liver
cautionEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should not be used in patients with severe liver disease. In mild to moderate conditions, the dose may have to be adjusted by the doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by the doctor as required.
Children
unsafeEpalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin is not recommended for anyone below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include food rich in vitamin B and D in your diet.
- Include cayenne pepper in your diet as it can help in lowering neuropathic pain.
- Exercising regularly helps in improving overall health and combating pain.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- Try taking a warm bath as it can be soothing.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Acupuncture can be helpful by stimulating pressure points.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.
Special Advise
- While using Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin, the doctor may monitor blood glucose levels, liver function and kidney function regularly.
- Do not stop taking Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin suddenly as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. The doctor may gradually reduce the dose before completely stopping the therapy.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy is seen when nerve damage occurs due to high blood glucose levels. It mostly damages the nerves in the legs and feet. Diabetic neuropathic pain is common in patients with type1 and type2 diabetes which usually develops slowly. If you have diabetes and experience numbness, pain, tingling sensation, or weakness in the hands or legs, you must consult a doctor. The pain could be intermittent or continuous, which is felt as a prickling, stabbing, tingling, or burning sensation. A feeling of numbness and loss of sensations is also common with neuropathic pain. Symptoms include spontaneous, untriggered pain, unpleasant feeling, shooting, burning, or stabbing pain, difficulty with coordination when walking, difficulty resting or sleeping, and evoked pain (pain caused by events usually not painful).
FAQs
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin contains Epalrestat, Methylcobalamin and Pregabalin. Epalrestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor. The inhibition of aldose reductase (an enzyme) can reduce levels of sorbitol, which causes nerve damage. It doesn’t show any effect on glucose levels. Methylcobalamin is vitamin B12 that helps rejuvenate and protect damaged nerve cells by producing a substance called myelin (protective layer of nerve cells). Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant that affects the chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system. Together, Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin can effectively manage diabetic neuropathy.
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may cause weight gain in some patients. In such cases, your doctor may change your diabetic medicines to stop weight gain. However, it is essential to take some measures to control weight such as eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly while using this medicine.
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin may not control diabetes as it doesn’t have an effect on blood glucose levels. So, it is advised to adhere to your diabetic medicines without fail to control diabetic neuropathic conditions.
The common side-effects of Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, diarrhoea, dry mouth, blurred vision, increased appetite, trouble concentrating, swelling in the hands and feet. These side-effects usually resolve without requiring any treatment. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse inform your doctor immediately.
Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should not be stopped abruptly as it may cause withdrawal reactions such as trouble sleeping, headache, nausea, diarrhoea, nervousness, depression, sweating, and dizziness. In general, Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin should be stopped gradually over a minimum of 1 week by gradually reducing the dose.
It is not recommended to use Epalrestat+methylcobalamin+pregabalin along with antacids such as omeprazole and ranitidine. So, inform your doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines before taking this medicine.
