Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets

Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets contains metformin, which belongs to the biguanide group of medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (also called known as 'non-insulin dependent diabetes').

Dosage

Overdose

• In the case of overdose, lactic acidosis may occur
• Symptoms of lactic acidosis are vomiting, stomache, 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, 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 inside 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 into the cells and this leads to a high level of glucose in your blood
• Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets works by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed from the intestine, lowering the amount of sugar created by the liver, and facilitating entry of sugar into the cells

Directions for Use

• Take this medicine with or after a meal to reduce it's side effects
• Consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage of Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets
• Take the tablet as a whole with a glass of water.The tablets should not be crushed
• Swallow each tablet with a glass of water

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets during pregnancy?

In general, in pregnancy-related diabetes, insulin is preferred over any oral blood-glucose-lowering medicines. Your doctor will mostly not prescribe this medicine to you in pregnancy. Do not use in pregnancy without a doctor’s advice.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets while breastfeeding?

It is known to pass into mother’s milk. So it should be not taken in breastfeeding without doctor's advice.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets?

If you are taking Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets along with other antidiabetic medicines, there are chances your blood sugar can fall. You may experience faintness, confusion and increased sweating. So in this case, you should take extra care when driving. Keep a juice or chocolate handy while driving, in case you start experiencing any of these, immediately have it.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets?

Avoid excessive intake of alcohol while taking Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets. 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 suffering from continous diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of body fluids
• You experience signs of low blood glucose like dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, 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, low body temperature. This could be a serious condition known as lactic acidosis
• Stop taking Xmet Sr 500mg Strip Of 15 Tablets for a short time if you have severe vomiting, diarrhea

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to metformin, or any other ingredients of this medicine
• If you have liver or severe kidney problems
• If you are an alcoholic
• 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 lung or kidney. Infections can increase the risk for lactic acidosis

Side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mild diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Altered taste sensations
• Loss of appetite
• Vitamin B12 deficiency (low level of vitamin B12 in blood)
• Skin rash, redness, itching
• Lactic acidosis (too much acid in the body)
• Abnormal liver function tests and hepatitis

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Medicine used to reduce pain and swelling like ibuprofen, celecoxib
• Medicine 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. 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
• 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

Storage and disposal

• This medicine should be kept away from excess heat or moisture
• Keep away from the reach of children

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is taking Metformin alone sufficient for diabetes?

Metformin is used with a proper diet and exercise program. Single drug therapy with metformin can be given in pre-diabetes or at the onset of diabetes. In diabetic at a later stage insulin production itself becomes very poor and a drug from other group of antidiabetics needs to be added to control high blood sugar.

What should I tell the healthcare provider before I start treatment with metformin?

• 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 kind of food 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 the regular meal timings and try to have 2-3 healthy snacks between meals like soups and salads

What should I avoid doing, being a diabetic patient?

• Do not shop when you are hungry. You could be tempted to buy oil and fried food
• Avoid cream soups, carrot juice, deep fried vegetables, vegetable curries with excess oil
• Avoid white bread, potato, noodles, corn flakes, biryani, naan, fried rice etc
• Avoid cheese, milkshakes, ice creams
• Try to avoid pork, beef, soft drinks, sugarcane juice, sweetened health drinks and beverages