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Description
MetGem 500 Tablet is an anti-diabetic medicine. It is used to control high blood sugar levels due to type II Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent). Thus it may prevent further complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney damage, stroke, and heart attack. It works by improving the body’s response to insulin (a hormone that enables your body to use sugar) and decreasing glucose (sugar) production.
MetGem 500 Tablet show side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, taste change, and stomach pain. This medicine can occasionally cause low blood sugar levels, the signs of which are sweating, dizziness, and shaking. To avoid the side effects, eat your meals on time and carry a fast-acting sugar source (sweet candy or fruit juice) for immediate relief. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
MetGem 500 Tablet can be taken with food to avoid stomach discomfort. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine unless your doctor recommends it.
MetGem 500 Tablet is not recommended for use if you have metabolic acidosis (high levels of acids in your blood) or severe kidney problems. Use this medicine with caution if you have heart or liver problems, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Substitutes
List of substitutes for MetGem 500 Tablet
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for MetGem 500 Tablet
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Chest discomfort
Headache
Swollen joints
Uses of MetGem 500 Tablet
What is it prescribed for?
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by excess blood sugar levels in your body. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin (a hormone that allows your body to use sugar for energy) properly to convert sugar to energy. Thus this may increase the level of unused sugar in the blood. MetGem 500 Tablet is used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
The time taken for MetGem 500 Tablet to show its action is not known.How long do the effects of this medicine last?
The amount of time for which MetGem 500 Tablet remains active in your body is not known.Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with MetGem 500 Tablet as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (increased blood lactic acid levels). It may also alter your blood sugar levels.Is this a habit forming medicine?
MetGem 500 Tablet has no habit-forming tendency.Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
MetGem 500 Tablet is generally safe during pregnancy. However, you should take this medicine only when prescribed by your doctor.Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
MetGem 500 Tablet may pass into the breastmilk at low levels. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking MetGem 500 Tablet if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by high levels of acid in your blood. The symptoms include vomiting, confusion, weakness, vomiting, increased heartbeat, etc. MetGem 500 Tablet is not recommended if you have metabolic acidosis as this medicine may worsen your condition.
Severe kidney impairment
MetGem 500 Tablet is not recommended if you have a severe kidney problem as this medicine is filtered by the kidneys and removed from the body via urine. Impaired kidney function may lead to its accumulation in the body and increase the risk of severe side effects.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
MetGem 500 Tablet is generally safe during pregnancy. However, you should take this medicine only when prescribed by your doctor.
Breast-feeding
MetGem 500 Tablet may pass into the breastmilk at low levels. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Lactic Acidosis
MetGem 500 Tablet may cause lactic acidosis (excess lactic acid in the blood), which may be fatal in some cases. This risk is especially higher if you have heart problems, kidney problems, dehydration (e.g. severe diarrhoea, vomiting), sepsis (a condition that occurs when your body has an unusually severe response to an infection causing tissue and organ injury), etc.
Stress
If you are experiencing stressful conditions such as a fever, trauma, operations, or accidents, MetGem 500 Tablet may not be effective in controlling your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may suggest you to discontinue your treatment till your condition gets better.
Type I diabetes
MetGem 500 Tablet is not recommended for use if you have Type I diabetes as this medicine is not effective in treating such conditions. Insulin injections are required to treat this condition.
Diarrhoea
MetGem 500 Tablet may cause diarrhoea when treatment is initiated. In most cases, it will subside by itself with time. However, consult your doctor if the condition persists for a longer duration or becomes severe.
Liver Impairment
MetGem 500 Tablet should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may increase the risk of undesired effects.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of MetGem 500 Tablet. If you forget to take a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical help if you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of MetGem 500 Tablet.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with MetGem 500 Tablet as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (increased blood lactic acid levels). It may also alter your blood sugar levels.
Interaction with Medicine
Estradiol
Gatifloxacin
Iodinated Contrast Media
Formoterol
Disease interactions
Vitamin B12 deficiency
MetGem 500 Tablet interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B12 in your body. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have vitamin B12 deficiency. Inform your doctor if you are taking vitamin B12 supplements before starting the treatment.
Heart Disease
MetGem 500 Tablet should be used with caution if you have conditions related to heart or blood vessels as it may increase the risk of heart failure (a condition in which the heart is not able to pump a sufficient amount of blood). Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly monitor your heart and kidney function during treatment with this medicine.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in blood sugar levels. If you are prone to having low blood sugar level episodes, take MetGem 500 Tablet with caution. Monitor your blood glucose level regularly. Always carry a fast-acting sugar source (like sugar candy or fruit juice).
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take MetGem 500 Tablet with food to prevent stomach upset. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet. Take the medicine as prescribed, do not take more or less than the prescribed dose.
Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Maintain a proper diet and exercise regularly to get maximum benefits of the treatment.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) may occur when this medicine is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol or while delaying/skipping a meal. Always carry a sugar candy with you to counteract unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.
Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels and kidney functions regularly while you are taking this medication.
Miscelleneous
How it works
MetGem 500 Tablet works by improving the body’s response to insulin (a hormone that enables your body to use sugar) and decreasing glucose (sugar) production from the liver. This helps in lowering the increased blood glucose levels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Non-sulfonylureas, Oral Biguanides
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - METFORMIN ER 500 MG tabletMETFORMIN ER 750 MG tablet. [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Metformin. [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Metformin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 8 June 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 October 2021].
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Information on this page was last updated on 23 Feb 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.
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