GEMINOR M FORTE 1MG TABLET 15'S(N)

Introduction About GEMINOR M FORTE

GEMINOR M FORTE is a combination of Glimepiride and Metformin, which belongs to a group of medicines called Antidiabetic agents. GEMINOR M FORTE is used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet, exercise, and a single agent do not result in adequate glycemic control. Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition in which the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin produced does not work well. Symptoms include excessive urination, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce more insulin, which helps the body use insulin efficiently. Metformin is a biguanide, which effectively reduces the total amount of sugar released into the blood by the liver. Along with management with GEMINOR M FORTE, follow a regular exercise and diet plan as advised by your doctor to achieve better results.

Before taking GEMINOR M FORTE, inform your doctor if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe liver or kidney disease, or acute heart problems. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not suitable for use by children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

Avoid consumption of alcohol during management with GEMINOR M FORTE, as it may increase or decrease the blood sugar-lowering action of GEMINOR M FORTE and increase the risk of lactic acidosis. The most common side effects of taking GEMINOR M FORTE are taste disturbance, nausea, diarrhea, stomach ache, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.

Uses Of GEMINOR M FORTE

• To manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (when diet, exercise, and the single agent do not result in adequate glycemic control)

How GEMINOR M FORTE Works

GEMINOR M FORTE controls blood glucose levels, where glimepiride works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas in order to lower the blood glucose. Metformin works by lowering glucose production in the liver, delaying glucose absorption from the intestine, and increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin.

How to use GEMINOR M FORTE

Take GEMINOR M FORTE as advised by your physician. Swallow GEMINOR M FORTE with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition. Do not stop taking GEMINOR M FORTE without informing your doctor.

Side Effects Of GEMINOR M FORTE

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 to manage diarrhea. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Loss Of Appetite

Eat when you feel hungry. Eat smaller meals more frequently than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily, fried, and spicy foods. Do not perform any strenuous activities immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Stomach Pain

Rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller and more frequent meals. Keep a heat pad on your stomach. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Contraindicated

GEMINOR M FORTE should not be taken during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE if you are planning to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated

GEMINOR M FORTE should not be taken during breastfeeding, as it may pass through breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE for advice.

Driving and Using Machines

Contraindicated

Do not drive or handle any machines if you experience low or high blood sugar levels (symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, shaking, or trembling) or if you develop visual problems due to altered blood sugar levels.

Alcohol

Risky

Avoid consumption of alcohol during management with GEMINOR M FORTE, as it may increase or decrease the blood sugar-lowering action of GEMINOR M FORTE and increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Consult your doctor for advice before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Kidney

Consult your doctor

GEMINOR M FORTE is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney disease, and it should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Your dose will be adjusted if needed, depending on kidney function. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Liver

Use with Caution

GEMINOR M FORTE is not recommended if you have severe liver disease, and it should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Your dose will be adjusted if needed, depending on liver function. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not take GEMINOR M FORTE if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Glimepiride, Metformin, or other sulfonylureas (such as glipizide and glibenclamide) or sulfonamides (such as sulfamethoxazole).

Heart Disease

Contraindicated

GEMINOR M FORTE is not recommended for use in patients with acute heart problems, who have recently had a heart attack, or who have severe circulatory problems or breathing difficulties (signs of heart failure). Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Use In Pediatrics

Contraindicated

GEMINOR M FORTE is generally not recommended for use in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age). Consult the child’s doctor for advice.

Use In Geriatrics

Contraindicated

GEMINOR M FORTE is not recommended for use in elderly patients (aged 75 years or above), and it should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above), especially in patients with impaired kidney function. Your doctor may assess your kidney function more frequently during management with GEMINOR M FORTE. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking GEMINOR M FORTE, inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other sulphonylureas, such as glibenclamide and insulin (used to lower blood sugar levels)
• anabolics (support muscle buildup)
• warfarin (used for blood clots)
• fenfluramine (used to manage weight)
• phenylbutazone, azopropazone, and oxyphenbutazone (used for pain and inflammation)
• disopyramide (used for heart problems)
• fibrates such as fenofibrate, nicotinic acid, and colesevelam (lower cholesterol levels)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril, lisinopril, and diuretics such as furosemide, chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, or diazoxide (used for blood pressure)
• fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, selegiline, and chlorpromazine (used to manage mental disorders)
• allopurinol, probenecid, and sulfinpyrazone (used for gout)
• cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and trofosfamide (used for cancer)
• tetracyclines (Ex. minocycline, doxycycline), chloramphenicol, fluconazole, miconazole, quinolones (Ex. moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin), clarithromycin, and rifampicin (used to manage bacterial and fungal infections)
• tritoqualine, glucocorticoids (Ex. beclomethasone, hydrocortisone) (used for nasal allergies)
• pentoxifylline in high doses of intravenous infusion (used to improve blood flow)
• sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (used for urinary infections)
• medicines used for male sex hormone replacement therapy (Ex. testosterone) and medicines containing female sex hormones (Ex. oestrogens, progestogens)
• sympatholytics such as clonidine and methyldopa (used for high blood pressure, heart failure, or prostate symptoms)
• levothyroxine (used to stimulate the thyroid gland)
• adrenaline and sympathomimetics such as phenylephrine and norepinephrine (used for life-threatening cardiac arrest and low blood pressure)
• laxatives such as bisacodyl (used to manage constipation)
• phenytoin (used for fits)
• glucagon (used for severely low blood sugar)
• barbiturates such as pentobarbital and amobarbital (which help with nervousness and sleep problems)
• acetazolamide (used for increased pressure in the eye)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else takes too much of GEMINOR M FORTE, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital right away. Overdosage symptoms of GEMINOR M FORTE include a risk of low blood sugar levels, and it may cause life-threatening lactic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include vomiting, bellyaches with muscle cramps, a general feeling of not being well with severe tiredness, reduced body temperature, a low heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep GEMINOR M FORTE out of reach of children
• Store at a temperature below 25°C

FAQs About GEMINOR M FORTE

Q: What is GEMINOR M FORTE used for?

A: GEMINOR M FORTE is used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet, exercise, and the single agent alone do not result in adequate glycemic control. Along with management with GEMINOR M FORTE, follow a regular exercise and diet plan as advised by your doctor to achieve better results.

Q: Can I drive or handle machines after taking GEMINOR M FORTE?

A: Do not drive or handle any machines if you experience low or high blood sugar levels (symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, shaking, or trembling) or if you develop visual problems due to altered blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Q: Can I consume alcohol while taking GEMINOR M FORTE?

A: Avoid consumption of alcohol during management with GEMINOR M FORTE, as it may increase or decrease the blood sugar-lowering action of GEMINOR M FORTE and increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Consult your doctor for advice before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Q: Is GEMINOR M FORTE safe to use in patients with kidney problems?

A: GEMINOR M FORTE is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney disease, and it should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Your dose will be adjusted if needed depending upon kidney function. Consult your doctor before taking GEMINOR M FORTE.

Q: What are the common side effects of GEMINOR M FORTE?

A: The most common side effects of taking GEMINOR M FORTE are taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain. Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.

References

1. KD Tripathi MD. Hormones and related drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. New Delhi, May 2013. Page – 274.

2. Rakesh Kumar Sahay, Vinod Mittal, G Raja Gopal, Sunil Kota, Ghanshyam Goyal, Mahesh Abhyankar, Santosh Revenkar. Glimepiride and Metformin Combinations in Diabetes Comorbidities and Complications: Real-World Evidence. September 2020. [Accessed on July 24th 2021] https://www.cureus.com/articles/37779-glimepiride-and-metformin-combinations-in-diabetes-comorbidities-and-complications-real-world-evidence

3. Sanofi. Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Metformin/Glimepiride Combination Versus Each Compound Alone in New Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients (RECOMMEND). NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in January 2015] [Accessed on July 24th 2021] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01459809

4. Torrent pharmaceuticals Ltd. Azulix MF. Metformin Hydrochloride Prolonged Release and Glimepiride Tablets I.P. [Revised in July 2019] [Accessed on July 24th 2021] https://www.torrentian.com/pisheet/Upload/PI_Sheet/2642.pdf

5. Sanofi-aventis group. Amaryl M. Glimepiride + Metformin. [Revised in May 2015] [Accessed on July 24th 2021] http://pharm.cals.am/pharm/data/drug_124396/1470300364248.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• HbA1C, Also known as Glycated Hemoglobin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin
• Blood Glucose Fasting (FBS)
• Random Blood Sugar (RBS)
• Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS)
• Insulin – Fasting
• Insulin Postprandial (PP)
• Vital Diabetes Care
• Extended Diabetes Care
• Advance Diabetes Care
• Comprehensive Diabetes Care

Author Details

Written By Dr. N. Sai Swaroop - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Jaya Prabakaran - MBBS, MD (Diabetology and Family Medicine)

Last updated on 16 Dec 2023 | 05:37 PM(IST)