Geminor M 2 Tablet

Geminor M2 tablet is an anti-diabetic medicine used to lower the raised blood glucose levels in the blood when it is not being controlled by diet and exercise. This medicine is used to treat Type 2 diabetes mainly. It contains a combination of glimepiride and metformin as active ingredients.

Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor, preferably after meals.

Dosage

Overdose

• Overdose of Geminor M2 tablet may lead to severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and lactic acidosis (excessive lactic acid build-up). This can result in headache, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, restlessness, impaired alertness and reactions, depression, confusion, dizziness etc. If you experience these, immediately take glucose or juice or sugar-containing products (sugar candy). Contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital as you may require close monitoring for the next few hours.

Missed a Dose

• A missed dose may lead to high blood sugar levels, which includes symptoms like feeling thirsty, excessive urination, loss of appetite, drowsiness, the fruity smell from breath etc. If you missed any dose of medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule. Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Geminor M2 tablet is known to control blood sugar to a greater extent than metformin or glimepiride alone Glimiperide lowers the blood sugar level increasing release of insulin hormone from the pancreas.
• Insulin moves sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells.
• Metformin decreases the absorption in the intestine and production of sugar by the liver.
• Both of these components are known to increase the insulin sensitivity of the body (which allows the cells of the body to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar).

Directions for Use

Geminor M2 tablet should be taken as directed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Take it at a fixed time for optimal results. Do not consume it more than that prescribed by your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Geminor M2 tablet during pregnancy?

Geminor M2 tablet should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, he might suggest some other alternative.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Geminor M2 tablet while breastfeeding?

Geminor M2 tablet passes into the breast milk in very small quantities which might not be harmful to the baby. If you are taking this medicine while breastfeeding, monitor your child for signs of hypoglycemia such as excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, fits, difficulty in breathing, or decreased body temperature.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Geminor M2 tablet?

• Geminor M2 tablet can cause low blood sugar levels which can lead to drowsiness, unconsciousness or confusion. These can be dangerous while driving.
• Consult your doctor whether you can drive a car if you have frequent episodes of hypoglycemia.
• Keep a juice or chocolate in the car close to you while driving, in case you start feeling any of the above symptoms of hypoglycemia, immediately have the juice or chocolate.
• Note that artificial sweeteners are not of any use in such scenarios.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Geminor M2 tablet?

• It is advisable not to consume alcohol during treatment with Geminor M2 tablet.
• Alcohol alters the way this medicine works. Be cautious not to consume alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol when taking this medicine can cause a serious complication known as ketoacidosis.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You experience extreme hunger, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, restlessness, aggression, reduced alertness, confusion, shakiness or dizziness. These could be signs of low blood sugar. If you have any of these, immediately have sugar or sweet juice. Inform your doctor as you may need a change in your medicine's dose.
• You are experiencing pins-and-needles sensation, numbness and weakness.
• You are going to have a diagnostic imaging test that involves the injection of iodine.
• You have dehydration due to diarrhoea, vomiting or limited fluid intake.
• You have suffered through trauma.
• You have to undergo surgery shortly. You have serious kidney and liver problems. You have a thyroid disorder.
• You are overweight (specific diet restriction may be suggested).

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to metformin, glimepiride or any of the ingredient of Geminor M2 tablet.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you have serious kidney failure or liver failure.
• If you have any metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the body fluids) like lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic pre-coma.
• If you have dehydration, severe infections, shock and injections containing iodine.
• If you have had heart or lung failure, the recent incidence of heart attack and shock.
• If you are an alcoholic.

Side effects

• Weight gain
• Blood sugar level fluctuations
• Headache
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Wet skin
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• loss of taste sensation,
• Stomach discomfort (pressure and fullness)

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Sometimes Geminor M2 tablet may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Geminor M2 tablet works, if taken at the same time.
• Always inform your doctor about all the medicine you are taking, that includes all prescribed or non-prescribed herbal medicines, dietary supplements as well as other treatment if you are taking for any disorder.
• Especially if you are on certain medications like painkillers, medicines for heart diseases, muscle pain, brain-related disorder, antacids like ranitidine, anti-coagulants such as warfarin, medicine to lower blood cholesterol (fibrates), medicines for a thyroid disorder, antihypertensive medicines etc.
• Other medicines that should be used with caution are antibiotics like Clarithromycin, oral contraceptives, anti-epileptic medicines like phenytoin, medicines for constipation, water pills etc.
• You may have symptoms of low blood sugar if you are already taking other medicines for diabetes like Insulin, Pioglitazone. Caution is advised.

Storage and disposal

• Store at room temperature in a dry place.
• Protect it from light and moisture.
• Keep out of the reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What diet should I follow?

• A diet should be high in fibre, low in fat with adequate protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
• Maintain the regular meal timings and try to have soups and salads.
• Diet should include boiled, steamed, or baked food.
• Ensure moderate use of edible oils (groundnut oil, olive oil), very little use of ghee and butter.
• Drink at least 8-10 glass of water daily.
• Carry fruit or low-calorie high fibre biscuits while travelling.

What should I avoid being a diabetic patient?

• Do not shop when you are hungry. You could be tempted to buy oily and fried food.
• Avoid overeating.
• Avoid maida, white bread, potato, noodles, corn flakes, poori, biryani, naan, fried rice, etc.
• Stop having daals with ghee, deep-fried pulses.
• Avoid cream soups, carrot juice, deep-fried vegetables, vegetable curries with excess oil.

My blood sugar falls too often, what could be the reason?

• Avoid skipping meals, fasting, too much alcohol intake, taking alcohol on an empty stomach and taking a double dose.
• If you are taking any medicines mentioned in the drug interaction section, you need to inform your doctor.
• Always keep a juice or sugar candy with you, in case you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia like headache, irritability, drowsiness, reduced alertness or nausea, immediately have the juice or glucose.
• Do not have artificial sweeteners in this situation.
• If such episodes happen too often, inform your doctor as you may need a decrease in the dose of this medicine.

Can Geminor M2 tablet be stopped?

No, you should never stop taking Geminor M2 tablet without consulting your doctor. Abrupt stopping of the medicine can result in a sudden rise in blood glucose levels and cause further harm to the kidney and other organs.

What is the use of Geminor M2 tablet?

Geminor M2 tablet is mainly used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar levels) when blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by Glimepiride or Metformin along with controlled diet and exercise alone.

When should I take Geminor M2?

Geminor M2 should preferably be taken with a meal to reduce the side effects or as advised by the doctor.

What is the composition of Geminor M2?

Geminor M2 composition consists of metoprolol as its active component.

How does Geminor M2 tablet work?

• Geminor M2 tablet is known to control blood sugar to a greater extent than metformin or glimepiride alone. Glimepiride lowers the blood sugar level increasing release of insulin hormone from the pancreas.
• Insulin moves sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells.
• Metformin decreases the absorption in the intestine and production of sugar by the liver.
• Both of these components are known to increase the insulin sensitivity of the body (allows the cells of the body to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar).

Does Geminor M2 tablet cause low blood sugar level?

Sometimes it may increase the risk of drop in blood sugar level as a side effect. So try to take your meals on time while taking Geminor M2 tablet. However, if you experience any symptoms related to hypoglycaemia such as drowsiness, unconsciousness, confusion etc, immediately drink the juice or eat the chocolate bar. Note that artificial sweeteners are not of any use in such scenarios. Always keep a juice or a bar of chocolate in the car close to you while driving or if you have frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia.