Glycomet 500 SR Tablet

Glycomet 500 SR tablets are a medication prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes. This chronic condition occurs when your body fails to use insulin effectively, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Effectively managing your blood sugar is a vital part of maintaining good health, and Glycomet 500 SR is designed to help you do just that.

It helps bring your blood sugar down to a safer range, which in turn helps prevent long-term health complications associated with diabetes. The key active ingredient in Glycomet 500 SR is metformin. This powerful component works in two important ways to control your blood sugar.

First, it decreases the amount of sugar your liver produces. Your liver naturally makes sugar, but in people with type 2 diabetes, it can produce too much. Second, metformin reduces the amount of sugar your body absorbs from the food you eat.

By addressing sugar from both production and absorption, metformin enables your body's insulin to work more efficiently. The "SR" in the name stands for "Sustained Release," which means the tablet releases the medication slowly over time for a more consistent effect. It's extremely important to take Glycomet 500 SR tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Do not change your dose or stop taking the medication without speaking to your doctor first. These tablets are typically taken with or after a meal, as consuming them with food can help mitigate any potential stomach-related side effects. Following your doctor's specific instructions for dosage and timing is essential to ensure the medication works safely and effectively to control your blood sugar levels.

Before starting Glycomet 500 SR, it is essential to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor. Tell them about all your existing medical conditions. This is especially important if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

You should also let your doctor know about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are currently taking. This allows your doctor to check for any potential interactions and ensures that Glycomet 500 SR is a safe option for your individual health. Glycomet 500 SR isn't the only medication that uses metformin to manage type 2 diabetes.

You may have heard of or been prescribed other brands that contain the same active ingredient. These include Glyciphage SR 500 tablets , Gluconorm SR 500 tablets , Obimet SR 500 tablets , Melmet SR 500 tablets , Biciphage SR 500 tablets , and Bigomet SR 500 tablets . This is common in the pharmaceutical industry, meaning that several different products utilise the same well-established active ingredient for the same medical purpose.

Dosage

Overdose

Excess of Glycomet 500 SR tablet may lead to lactic acidosis causing symptoms like vomiting, stomach ache, muscle cramps and difficulty in breathing. You must seek immediate emergency medical care if you suspect an overdose.

Missed a Dose

If you miss any dose of Glycomet 500 SR tablet, take it as soon as you remember with food. However, if it is time for the next dose then skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin drives glucose (sugar) from the blood to enter the cell. Then, this glucose is utilized as energy by the cell.
• If you have diabetes mellitus, your pancreas either does not make enough insulin or your body is unable to use properly the insulin it produces (insulin resistance).
• As a result, glucose is not able to enter the cells, and this leads to a high level of glucose in your blood.
• Glycomet 500 SR tablet works by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed from the intestine, lowering the amount of sugar created by the liver and facilitating the entry of sugar into the cells.

Directions for Use

Glycomet 500 SR tablet should be taken as directed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. It should be taken with or after a meal to reduce its side effects. It would be best if you took it at a fixed time for optimal results and should not consume it more than that prescribed by your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Glycomet 500 SR tablet during pregnancy?

Glycomet 500 SR tablet can be taken during pregnancy if it is prescribed by your doctor.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Glycomet 500 SR tablet while breastfeeding?

Metformin is known to pass into breast milk, however, the amount is significantly low to cause any side effects. So, Glycomet 500 SR tablet could be taken by breastfeeding mother only if prescribed by her doctor.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Glycomet 500 SR tablet?

If you are taking the Glycomet 500 SR tablet along with other antidiabetic medicines, there are chances your blood sugar may drop. You may experience dizziness, increased sweating, weakness, difficulty concentrating, which can impair your driving ability. Thus, you should take extra care when driving. Always keep sugar, juice or a bar of chocolate in your car while driving. In case you experience any of the symptoms, stop driving immediately and have sugar/ juice. Do not consume sugar-free items at such episodes.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Glycomet 500 SR tablet?

Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol while taking Glycomet 500 SR tablet. Alcohol lowers blood sugar which can be dangerous and also increases the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You are suffering from continuous diarrhoea, vomiting, and loss of body fluids.
• You experience signs of low blood glucose like dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and inability to concentrate. Metformin does not usually cause sudden low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If Metformin is prescribed with other anti-diabetic medications, low blood sugar may occur.
• You experience muscle pain, stomach pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, and low body temperature. This could be a severe condition known as lactic acidosis.
• Stop taking Glycomet 500 SR tablet for a short time if you have severe vomiting or diarrhoea.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to metformin or any other ingredients of Glycomet 500 SR tablet.
• If you have problems with your liver or kidney.
• If you are an alcoholic (you daily consume alcohol in excess).
• If you have uncontrolled diabetes.
• If you have any heart problems or if you recently had a heart attack.
• If you have a severe infection of the lung or kidney. Infections can increase the risk of lactic acidosis.

Side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Taste disturbance
• Loss of appetite

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Glycomet 500 SR tablet may interact with other medicines, discuss with your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbal preparations you are taking. Also, you should inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery or vaccination schedule.
• Medicines used to reduce pain and swelling, like Ibuprofen and Celecoxib.
• Medicines used to treat asthma-like salbutamol or terbutaline.
• Medicines like furosemide (diuretics).
• If you need to take an injection of iodine-containing contrast medium into your bloodstream for an X-ray or scan, your doctor will ask you to stop taking metformin before or at the time of injection.
• If you are on medicines that are used to treat pain and inflammation (NSAID and COX-2 inhibitors, such as ibuprofen and celecoxib) for the long term, these can damage your kidneys. The use of such medicines in diabetes should be avoided.

Interactions with food items

• Absorption of vitamin B12 appears to be reduced during long-term metformin therapy, and annual screening of serum vitamin B12 levels and red blood cell parameters has been recommended.
• It is advisable to have a diabetic diet as advised by your doctor or dietician. This medicine works best along with a good diet and exercise. Exercise is known to decrease insulin resistance.
• Glycomet SR tablets, used to manage type 2 diabetes, should be taken with food at the same time each day to ensure the best results.

Storage and disposal

• Store Glycomet 500 SR tablets in a cool and dry place, protected from direct sunlight, moisture and heat.
• Keep it away from children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I tell the healthcare provider before I start treatment with Glycomet 500 SR tablet?

• You must get screened for baseline Vitamin B12 levels, kidney and liver profile. Other factors like weight, body mass index (BMI), baseline blood sugar levels before starting the treatment should be noted
• You must share all the relevant medical and surgical history, your past and ongoing medicines, etc. with your doctor

What food items should I include in my diet?

• A diet should be high in fibre, low in fat with adequate protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
• Diet should include boiled, steamed or baked food.
• Ensure moderate use of edible oils (groundnut oil, olive oil).
• Maintain regular meal timings and try to have 2-3 healthy snacks between meals like soups and salads.

Can Glycomet 500 SR tablet be stopped if my blood sugar level comes in control?

No, you should never stop taking Glycomet 500 SR tablet without consulting the doctor. Abruptly stopping the medicine results in a sudden rise in blood glucose levels and cause further harm to the kidney and other organs.

Does Glycomet 500 SR contain metformin?

Yes, it contains metformin as its active ingredient.

What is the best time to take Glycomet?

You can take Glycomet at any time of the day, as advised by the doctor. But it's best to take this medicine with a meal to reduce the side effects.

How quickly does Glycomet work?

Glycomet can start to improve blood sugar control within a week or so after its consumption. But it can take a few weeks to see the full effect. It is usually prescribed for a long duration only. Therefore, it is advised to take this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends.

Will Glycomet SR tablet help reduce weight?

No, Glycomet SR 500 tablet does not reduce weight. It neither increases nor decreases the weight. You should continue to exercise and follow your diet while you are on this medicine.

What is glycomet 500 SR used for?

Glycomet 500 SR tablet is used for type 2 diabetes mellitus (‘non-insulin-dependent diabetes’) when diet and exercise have not been able to control your blood glucose levels.