Has your doctor prescribed a new medication to control your diabetes? You may have wondered what it is after seeing that it has two names. Don't worry. Today we are talking about this pill, which is a combination of two drugs called Pioglitazone and Glimepiride. It is given to people with Type 2 Diabetes. Let's understand it from A to Z simply, as if we were telling a friend.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this medicine works by lowering and controlling the level of sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Since there are two types of medicine in this, they work in two different ways.
1. Glimepiride: This medication gives your pancreas a little "boost" and helps it produce a little more of the insulin hormone your body needs.
2. Pioglitazone: This drug works by helping your body's cells use the insulin they produce more effectively. That is, it increases the cells' sensitivity to insulin.
But remember this: This is not magic. You must continue to follow your diet and exercise regimen while taking this medication. The best results are achieved when the medication and a healthy lifestyle go together.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Current medical conditions:
- If you have heart disease or a weak heart
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- If you have a history of bladder cancer
- If you have developed diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition caused by diabetes
- If you have an enzyme deficiency called G6PD deficiency (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency)
- Thyroid problems (Thyroid disease)
- If you have swelling in your body, hands, or feet
- If you have a serious infection or injury
- Allergies:
- If you have an allergy to Pioglitazone, Glimepiride or other sulfa drugs
- If you have an allergy to any other medicine, food, or preservative
- Other special points:
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Make it a habit to take your medicine at about the same time every day.
- Most importantly: Take this medicine with or immediately after a meal . Do not take it on an empty stomach. Doing so can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low (hypoglycemia). Doctors usually recommend taking it with breakfast.
- Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Overdose: If you think you have taken an overdose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you may be taking may interact with this medicine. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking. Below are just a few examples.
| Type of medicine/substance | Examples and notes |
|---|---|
| Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications | NSAID medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen. |
| Antibiotics and antifungals | Chloramphenicol, Clarithromycin, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Rifampin. |
| Medication for high blood pressure | Beta-blockers like Metoprolol, Propranolol, Nifedipine. |
| Types of hormones | Female hormones (Estrogens), birth control pills, thyroid hormones, and steroids like Prednisone. |
| Other diabetes medications | Any other diabetes medications you are taking. |
| Other | Gemfibrozil, Atorvastatin, which lower cholesterol, Warfarin, which prevents blood clotting, Isoniazid, which is used to treat tuberculosis, and Alcohol. |
This is not a complete list, so tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Regular check-ups: Visit your doctor on regular dates to check your condition. You may also need to have blood tests to check your liver function.
- HbA1C test: This tests your average blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months. Your doctor will likely recommend that you have this test every 3-6 months.
- Measuring blood sugar levels: Learn how to measure your blood sugar levels at home. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and how to manage them.
- If you have low blood sugar: Always keep some sugar with you. For example, glucose tablets, a sugar cube, a piece of candy, a piece of jelly bean. If you develop severe symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g. seizures, loss of consciousness), tell your family that it is dangerous to give you food or drink. In such cases, you should go to the hospital immediately.
- Don't skip meals: If you are taking this medication, it is very important to eat your main meals at the right time.
- Pregnancy: This medicine may increase the chance of ovulation in women with irregular menstrual cycles. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using a suitable birth control method while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you think you are pregnant.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin a little more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body and use sunscreen.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them. Let's see what they are.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heart failure symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet or hands, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
| Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) | Tremors, sweating, extreme anxiety, cool skin, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, loss of vision. |
| Changes in urine | Red or dark brown urine, pain during urination, frequent urination. |
| Usually nothing to worry about (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Common disorders | Headache, diarrhea, nausea, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine at the prescribed time with a meal . Never take it on an empty stomach.
- Don't skip meals. Doing so can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.
- Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Always keep something with sugar (glucose tablets, a piece of candy) nearby .
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking.
- Avoid stopping the medication or changing the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- If you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
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