Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3
About
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 belongs to the class of ‘antidiabetics’, 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) produces little or no insulin at all.
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 is composed of Glimepiride, Metformin, and Vitamin D3. Glimepiride belongs to the class of sulfonylureas and works by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, thus regulating blood sugar levels. Metformin belongs to the class of biguanides and manages blood sugar levels. It exhibits a non-pancreatic effect to reduce blood glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion. Vitamin D3/Cholecalciferol improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and reduces the risk of insulin resistance.
Take this medicine as advised by your doctor. Some common side effects include nausea, headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, stomach upset, weakness, and metallic taste. 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.
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); hence, eating healthy food with enough calories and avoiding heavy exercise is advised. Do not take or stop this medicine if the doctor did not advise you. Before using this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, breathing problems, or blood disorders. Please seek medical advice before using Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman. It is advised to avoid your alcohol intake while using Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 to decrease the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body).
Uses of Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3
Medicinal Benefits
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 consists of Glimepiride, Metformin, and Vitamin D3. Glimepiride stimulates beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, thus regulating blood sugar levels. Metformin 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. Vitamin D3/Cholecalciferol improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and reduces the risk of insulin resistance. It may also help regulate the production of insulin in the pancreas.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3
- Nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Stomach upset
- Weakness
- Metallic taste
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Take short, frequent meals and avoid prolonged fasting while taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3. Do not abruptly stop taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 midway if the doctor did not advise you. Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); hence it is advised to take healthy food with enough calories and avoid heavy exercise. Brief your medical history if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, thyroid diseases, breathing problems (asthma, obstructive lung diseases), blood problems like anaemia (lack of blood cells), or dehydration. Avoid alcohol intake while using Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 since it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother. Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 may interact with cholesterol-lowering drugs (colesevelam), blood pressure medicines (metoprolol, propranolol), and glaucoma medicine (timolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol intake since it increases the risk of lactic acidosis.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 if you have any heart, kidney, thyroid or liver diseases, breathing problems, dehydration, blood disorders, or electrolyte imbalance.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 since it may worsen the chances of lactic acidosis.
Pregnancy
cautionYour doctor will recommend Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 during pregnancy only when the benefit outweighs the risk. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3.
Breast Feeding
cautionMetformin is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you also experience blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3. Your doctor may adjust the dose if required based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3. Your doctor may adjust the dose if required based on your condition.
Children
unsafeGlimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include Vitamin B1-rich foods like beans, legumes, dairy products (such as yoghurt), eggs, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, thiamine-enriched breakfast cereals, and whole grains in your diet.
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Monitor 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.
- If you experience severe hypoglycaemia, your doctor may advise a glucagon injection kit. Let your family and friends know how to administer this injection in an emergency.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus, or 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) produces little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people 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
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 comprises Glimepiride, Metformin, and Vitamin D3. Glimepiride works by stimulating cells in the pancreas that produce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Metformin reduces sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Vitamin D3 improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and reduces the risk of insulin resistance. Thus, it treats type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia), making you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3 with a meal. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, eating or drinking fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda is advised.
Metformin may rarely lead to a build-up of lactic acid in the blood. While using Glimepiride+metformin+vitamin D3, if you experience vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, muscle cramps, sick feeling, severe tiredness, difficulty 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.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
