Metformin+inositol Nicotinate
About
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate is a combination medicine used to treat diabetic dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol levels in diabetic patients) and poor blood flow. Also, Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may be used to treat the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Diabetic dyslipidaemia is a condition associated with high levels of bad cholesterol (low- density lipoprotein), high triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) levels and low levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) in diabetic patients.
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate is a combination of two drugs, namely: Metformin (antidiabetic) and Inositol nicotinate (vasodilator). Metformin works by reducing the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Inositol nicotinate works by widening blood vessels and lower cholesterol levels.
Take Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Metformin+inositol Nicotinate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects of Metformin+inositol Nicotinate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Metformin+inositol Nicotinate or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Metformin+inositol Nicotinate is not recommended for children below 10 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate and consult a doctor. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate. Avoid alcohol consumption with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as it may increase the risk of a life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis. Drive only if you are alert as Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may cause dizziness, weakness or decrease alertness.
Uses of Metformin+inositol Nicotinate
Medicinal Benefits
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate is a combination of two drugs, namely: Metformin and Inositol nicotinate used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, poor blood flow and diabetic dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol levels in diabetic patients). Also, Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may be used to treat the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin decreases the sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Inositol nicotinate works by widening blood vessels and lower cholesterol levels. Proper diet and regular exercise along with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate, will give better results.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Metformin+inositol Nicotinate
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Metformin+inositol Nicotinate or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have severe infections, uncontrolled diabetes with diarrhoea, lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis (accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood), dehydration, liver, kidney or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate. Metformin+inositol Nicotinate is not recommended for children below 10 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate and consult a doctor. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate. Avoid alcohol consumption with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as it may increase the risk of a life-threatening condition known as Lactic acidosis or liver disease. Drive only if you are alert as Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may cause dizziness, weakness or decrease alertness. Maintain a low-fat diet along with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate for effective results. You are recommended to drink plenty of water while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may interact with pain killers (ibuprofen, celecoxib), water tablets (furosemide), antiasthma drugs (terbutaline, salbutamol), antibiotic (rifampicin, trimethoprim), calcium channel blockers (verapamil), antacid (cimetidine), HIV/AIDS drugs (dolutegravir), heart-related medicine (ranolazine), anticancer drug (vandetanib, crizotinib, olaparib), antifungal (isavuconazole), high cholesterol-lowering medicines (simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin), antidiabetic drugs (glimepiride, insulin, glipizide, pioglitazone), blood thinners (heparin, warfarin, enoxaparin).
Drug- Food Interaction: Avoid intake of high-fiber foods after taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as they may decrease the concentration of Metformin+inositol Nicotinate. Also, avoid consumption of alcohol with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as it may increase the risk of a life-threatening condition known as Lactic acidosis or liver disease.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have severe infections, uncontrolled diabetes with diarrhoea, lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis (accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood), dehydration, liver, kidney or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Metformin+inositol Nicotinate as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis or liver disease.
Pregnancy
cautionMetformin+inositol Nicotinate is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMetformin+inositol Nicotinate is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. However, please consult a doctor before using Metformin+inositol Nicotinate if you are breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionMetformin+inositol Nicotinate may cause dizziness, weakness or decrease alertness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
Liver
cautionTake Metformin+inositol Nicotinate with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Metformin+inositol Nicotinate with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate if you have severe kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is important if you're taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
Children
cautionMetformin+inositol Nicotinate is not recommended for children below 10 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-fat diet. Limit your intake of dairy products made with whole milk and red meat. Prefer skim milk and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts and cut down beverages, processed and sugary foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in the food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits and samosas. Choose omega 3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
- Do regular exercises such as swimming, cycling, walking or dancing and focus on losing weight as obesity also raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- If you are about to undergo any major surgery, X-ray or scan involving contrast medicines containing iodine, please inform your doctor that you are taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate to monitor blood sugar levels and kidney functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetic dyslipidaemia: It is a condition associated with high levels of bad cholesterol (low- density lipoprotein), high triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) levels and low levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) most commonly affecting type-2 diabetic patients. Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps in reducing the bad cholesterol from our body. On the other hand, excess of bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributes to heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol.
FAQs
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate contains Metformin and Inositol nicotinate. Metformin is an anti-diabetic that reduces sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, enabling these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Inositol nicotinate is a vasodilator that works by widening blood vessels and lower cholesterol levels.
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate may cause constipation as common adverse effect. You are recommended to drink plenty of fluids while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate to prevent constipation. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
You are not recommended to take Metformin+inositol Nicotinate with high cholesterol lowering medicines such as atorvastatin or simvastatin as it may cause a severe muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue). However, if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness especially along with fever, dark coloured urine or unusual tiredness, please consult a doctor immediately.
Metformin+inositol Nicotinate should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney disease as it may worsen the condition. Patients with severe kidney disease should avoid taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate. However, if you have any kidney problem, please inform your doctor before taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate and regular monitoring of kidney functioning is recommended while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate.
You are recommended to avoid eating foods rich in fat or cholesterol, spicy foods or even hot drinks as they may increase side effects.
You are not recommended to stop taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate on your own as discontinuing Metformin+inositol Nicotinate suddenly may cause recurring symptoms or worsen the condition. However, if you experience any difficulty while taking Metformin+inositol Nicotinate, please consult your doctor so that an alternative medicine may be prescribed.
