New Revised MRP, 100% GST benefit passed ALPHA MEC Tablet 10's
Netmeds First Membership
Quick Links
Introduction About ALPHA MEC TABLET
ALPHA MEC TABLET is a combination of Gabapentin and Methylcobalamin which belongs to the group of medicines called Anticonvulsants and Vitamin-B complex respectively. It is used to manage nerve pain (neuropathic pain).
Take ALPHA MEC TABLET as directed by your physician. It can be taken with or without meals. Before taking ALPHA MEC TABLET inform your doctor if you have any lung, liver, kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have fits disorders, nerve problems, Vitamin B9/Vitamin B6 deficiency or a history of drug abuse as a precaution.
Do not take ALPHA MEC TABLET without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The most common side effects of taking ALPHA MEC TABLET are increased infections, confusion, anxiety, hostility, emotional liability, abnormal thinking, sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you. You must also inform your doctor immediately if you experience severe depressive symptoms along with self-harming thoughts after taking ALPHA MEC TABLET as a precaution.
Uses Of ALPHA MEC TABLET
- Used to manage nerve pain
How ALPHA MEC TABLET Works
ALPHA MEC TABLET contains Gabapentin and Methylcobalamin. Gabapentin reduces pain sensation by interfering with the pain signals travelling between the damaged nerves and the brain. Methylcobalamin repairs and rejuvenates the damaged nerve cells. It improves the production of a substance called myelin which forms a protective covering around the nerve fibres. This protects the nerve cells from getting damaged further. Collectively, this medicine effectively reduces nerve pain and protects the nerve cells from further damage.
How to use ALPHA MEC TABLET
Take ALPHA MEC TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. ALPHA MEC TABLET can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and health condition. Do not stop taking ALPHA MEC TABLET abruptly without consulting your doctor.
Side Effects Of ALPHA MEC TABLET
Common
- viral infection
- fever
- sore throat
- cough
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- sleepiness or lack of sleep
- tiredness
- weakness
- lack of coordination or balance
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- hostility
- confusion
- emotional liability
- increased appetite or lack of appetite
- anger, anxiety, nervousness, depression, mood changes
- abnormal thinking, slurred speech, loss of memory
- headache
- numbness of body parts
- blurred vision or double vision
- flushing
- high blood pressure
- dry nose or mouth
- inflamed gums
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- constipation
- bloating
- weight gain
- impotence
- swelling of face, hands or legs
Uncommon
- agitation
- racing heartbeat
- liver problems
- increase in blood sugar levels
Rare
- low blood glucose levels
Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- muscle pain or weakness
- signs of inflammation in the pancreas (persistent stomach pain, nausea, vomiting)
- self-harming thoughts
- signs of a severe allergic reaction (skin rash with blisters and peeling, swelling of the eye, throat or tongue which leads to difficulty in breathing)
- shortness of breath or shallow breaths
- severe skin reactions (skin rash, redness, itching and hair loss)
How To Manage Side Effects
Diarrhea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juices to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid taking any medicine on your own for managing diarrhea. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.
Dizziness Or Drowsiness
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume too much of alcohol, as it can aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.
Headache
Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Do not consume too much of alcohol. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.
Nausea And Vomiting
Try to take ALPHA MEC TABLET with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. If you experience severe nausea or vomiting along with severe stomach pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
Monitoring requiredALPHA MEC TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it. Women of childbearing potential should use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while taking this medicine.
Breastfeeding
Monitoring requiredALPHA MEC TABLET is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Driving and Using Machines
Use with CautionDo not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you experience dizziness or sleepiness after taking ALPHA MEC TABLET.
Alcohol
Consult your doctorAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it could make you feel sleepy.
Kidney
Use with CautionALPHA MEC TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases (including dialysis). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Liver
Use with CautionALPHA MEC TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Allergy
ContraindicatedDo not take ALPHA MEC TABLET if you are allergic to Gabapentin, Methylcobalamin or any other ingredients of this medicine.
Lungs
Use with CautionALPHA MEC TABLET should be used with caution in patients with respiratory disorders. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Heart Disease
Use with CautionALPHA MEC TABLET should be used with caution in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) or any other heart problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use In Pediatrics
ContraindicatedALPHA MEC TABLET is not recommended for use in children aged below 6 years. You must consult your doctor before using this medicine in children aged above 6 years as a precaution.
Use In Geriatrics
Use with CautionALPHA MEC TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking the medicine. Proper dose adjustments and careful monitoring are required in such patients.
Others
Before taking ALPHA MEC TABLET, inform your physician if you:
- suffer from different types of seizures (such as absence, tonic-clonic, myoclonic)
- have any other nerve problems
- have a history of misuse or substance abuse
- work on places which requires handling mercury or mercury components
- have folate deficiency
- are going for a urine test
- have vitamin B6 deficiency
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug Interactions:
Before taking ALPHA MEC TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- oral contraceptives (birth control pills) Ex. norethisterone and/or ethinyl estradiol
- nitrous oxide (an anesthetic)
- neuroleptic drugs (used to manage epilepsy) Ex. phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid
- neomycin (used to manage bacterial infections)
- colchicine (used to manage gout)
- medicines used to manage depression (Ex. sertraline, isocarboxazid, phenelzine or tranylcypromine)
- medicines that can reduce anxiety and induce sleep (Ex. phenobarbital, clonazepam etc.)
- medicines used to manage psychiatric illness (such as chlorpromazine)
- opioids (used for pain relief) such as morphine
- antacids (used to neutralize stomach acid production) such as aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide
- tetracyclines (used to manage bacterial infections)
- medicines used to manage cancer (such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, carboplatin)
- para-amino salicylic acid (used to manage tuberculosis)
- medicines used to manage diabetes orally (such as metformin, phenformin)
- medicines used to manage stomach ulcers (such as ranitidine, cimetidine)
- potassium chloride (used to manage potassium deficiency)
- cholestyramine (a medicine used to control blood cholesterol levels)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took much of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital straight away. Symptoms of overdosage includes dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, fainting, double vision, slurred speech and mild diarrhoea.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Gabapentin, Methylcobalamin |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Cyclic GABA analogs, Vitamin B complex |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Nerve Pain |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Capsule |
More Information
Storage
- Keep ALPHA MEC TABLET out of reach of children
- Store ALPHA MEC TABLET at room temperature
- Protect from light and moisture
FAQs About ALPHA MEC TABLET
Q: How long will it take for ALPHA MEC TABLET to start acting?
A: ALPHA MEC TABLET may start to exert its analgesic effects from day 2 of administration. An initial benefit of pain relief can be seen in patients after 2-4 weeks of therapy. However, it may take few months to show effects in some individuals.
Q: How long will the effects of ALPHA MEC TABLET last long?
A: The effects of ALPHA MEC TABLET can last long between 12-24 hr. This time range may vary among individuals, depending upon the severity of the disease condition.
Q: Does ALPHA MEC TABLET manage diabetic neuropathy?
A: Yes. ALPHA MEC TABLET can be used to manage diabetic neuropathy. It provides symptomatic pain relief in patients who have nerve pain caused due to diabetes.
Q: What happens if I stop taking ALPHA MEC TABLET?
A: Do not stop taking ALPHA MEC TABLET unless your doctor tells you as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as difficulty in falling asleep, anxiety, nausea, pain and sweating. Therefore, continue to take ALPHA MEC TABLET as long as instructed by your doctor to achieve better results.
Q: Can ALPHA MEC TABLET reduce nerve damage?
A: Yes. ALPHA MEC TABLET can reduce further nerve damage. It repairs and rejuvenates the damaged nerve fibres. It improves myelin production in the body which repairs and rebuilds the protective covering around the nerve fibres which manages it from further damage.
Q: Is taking ALPHA MEC TABLET safe?
A: The safety of ALPHA MEC TABLET varies with patient to patient. Your doctor will closely monitor your health condition while taking ALPHA MEC TABLET to avoid the risk of side effects.
Q: Is ALPHA MEC TABLET addictive?
A: Research has shown that ALPHA MEC TABLET may cause drug abuse or dependence. Therefore, it is better to inform your doctor before taking this medicine, if you already have a previous history of substance abuse as a precaution.
Q: Can ALPHA MEC TABLET cause weight gain? If so, how can I manage my weight?
A: ALPHA MEC TABLET may increase your body weight. It increases your hunger (appetite) which makes you eat more and eventually leads to increase in body weight. Weight can be managed by doing regular exercise and by eating a healthy balanced diet. Avoid calorie-rich foods such as soft drinks, chips, cakes, biscuits and sweets. Research says that patients with diabetes tend to put on weight easily while taking ALPHA MEC TABLET. Dose adjustments for antidiabetic medicines can help in such situations. If the symptom bothers you, consult your doctor for advice.
Q: Can ALPHA MEC TABLET cause sleepiness or drowsiness?
A: Yes. ALPHA MEC TABLET may cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Rest and relax while feeling sleepy. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ALPHA MEC TABLET as it can make you feel drowsier. Do not drive or operate any tools or machines while you are feeling sleepy. Consult your doctor if the symptom bothers you.
Q: Will the use of ALPHA MEC TABLET affect my sex life?
A: Yes. ALPHA MEC TABLET can affect sexual life of both men and women. It decreases sexual desire in men and women and can cause difficulty in erection or delayed ejaculation in men. The exact mechanism behind these effects is not known. If you experience any such problems, contact your doctor immediately.
Q: Can I take ALPHA MEC TABLET along with alcohol?
A: No. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ALPHA MEC TABLET as it may make you feel drowsier. Moreover, ALPHA MEC TABLET is not recommended for use in patients having alcohol abuse unless considered necessary. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Q: Can I take a higher dose of ALPHA MEC TABLET to increase pain relieving effects?
A: No. Do not take a higher dose of ALPHA MEC TABLET than recommended by your doctor. Taking a higher dose of ALPHA MEC TABLET without consulting a doctor can increase the risk of toxicity and can lead to side effects. If the prescribed dose is not effective for you, consult your doctor for a suitable higher dose. Never consume a higher dose ALPHA MEC TABLET without proper medical supervision.
Q: What to do if I forgot to take ALPHA MEC TABLET?
A: Take ALPHA MEC TABLET as soon as you remember until it’s time for the next one. If you missed a dose, skip the missed one and take the next dose at time normally you would take. Do not take a double dose to make up the missed one, as it may lead to overdosage. If you are not sure, consult your doctor. Your doctor may instruct you about the next steps.
Q: What are the precautions that I need to follow while taking ALPHA MEC TABLET?
A: Before taking ALPHA MEC TABLET, inform your doctor about your pre-existing disease conditions as precaution. ALPHA MEC TABLET should not be used if you are planning to become pregnant without consulting your doctor. ALPHA MEC TABLET can cause extreme sleepiness and dizziness and therefore avoid taking other medicines or alcohol that can make you feel drowsier ever more. It can also impair memory, attention and thinking ability in few individuals and so avoid travelling or driving on your own for a while. If case of any queries, consult your doctor for advice.
References
1. KD. Tripathi. Antiepileptic Drugs & Hematinics and Erythropoietin. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page-419 & 608.
2. Ming Zhang, Wenjuan Han, Sanjue Hu and Hui Xu. Methylcobalamin: A Potential Vitamin of Pain Killer. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. December 2013. [Accessed on 11th January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3888748/
3. Aisha Hasan, Muhammad Haroon Khilan, Aizaz Khan, Mohammad Haroon Hassan, Anab Rehan Taseer, Sajid Iqbal, Mahnoor Amir and Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhary. Comparison of Gabapentin Monotherapy vs. Combination Therapy of Methyl Cobalamin and Gabapentin in Treating Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. Journal of Biology and Today’s World. 2020. [Accessed on 11th January 2023] https://www.iomcworld.org/articles/comparison-of-gabapentin-monotherapy-vs-combination-therapy-of-methyl-cobalamin-and-gabapentin-in-treating-diabetic-neuropathic-pa-55830.html
4. Milpharm Limited. Gabapentin Milpharm 100/300/400 mg capsules, hard. Electronic Medicines Compendium. [Revised in December 2022] [Accessed on 11th January 2023]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4121.pdf
5. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Gabator M. [Revised in August 2022] [Accessed on 11th January 2023]. https://www.torrentian.com/pisheet/Upload/PI_Sheet/3108.pdf
6. LaRenon Healthcare Pvt Ltd. Laregab-M. June 2005. [Accessed on 11th January 2023] https://www.larenon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/LAREGAB-M-LBL.pdf
7. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Methylcobalamin 1500 mcg + Gabapentin SR 600 mg film coated tablets (additional strength). November 2009. FDC of Gabapentin (300mg) + Methylcobalamin (500mcg) Tablet. May 2005. Gabapentin 100mg + methylcobalamin 500mcg tablets (Additional Strength). January 2008. [Accessed on 11th January 2023] https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadApprovalNewDrugs/dciApprovedfdc.pdf
Author Details
