Indication:
Non-insulin dependent adult diabetes mellitus, when over weight or obesity not responding to dietary therapy.
Glucomet can be given alone as initial therapy or can be administered in combination with a sulfonylurea.
In insulin dependent diabetics, Glucomet may be given as an adjuvant to patients whose symptoms are not well controlled and who are often obese.
Doages & Administration:
The usual starting dose is 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once a day, given with meals. Dosage increase should be made in increments of 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every 2 weeks up to a total of 2000 mg per day, given in divided doses. Patients can be titrated from 500 mg twice a day to 850 mg twice a day after 2 weeks. For these patients requiring additional glycaemic control, Glucomet may be given to a maximum daily dose of 2550 mg per day. Doses above 2000 mg may be better tolerated when given three times a day with meals. The usual starting dose of Metformin HCl extended - release tablet is 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Dosage increase may be made up to a max. of 2000 mg once daily with the evening meal.
Side effect:
Glucomet may cause gastro-intestinal adverse effects like diarrhoea, anorexia, nausea & vomiting. Lactic acidosis and malabsorption of vitamin B12 may be occurred. Patients may experience a metallic taste and there may be weight loss, which in some diabetics could be an advantage.