Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Hypoglycemia
This medicine may cause hypoglycemia in some patients. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from kidney diseases, malnourishment, pituitary gland diseases, etc. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition. Your doctor may advise you to carry a sugar candy to counteract the effects of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Stress
Use of this medicine should be discontinued in patients exposed to stressful conditions such as a fever, trauma, surgeries, or accidents since it may not be effective in controlling blood sugar levels in these conditions. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Kidney disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of kidney disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular diseases
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of heart function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Weight gain
This medicine may cause a mild to moderate weight gain in some patients.
Hemolytic anemia
This medicine may cause hemolytic anemia in some patients. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from a G6PD deficiency. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in such patients based on the clinical condition.
Alcohol use
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Change of medications
You may experience some temporary side effects if there is a change in the current medications used for diabetes mellitus. This overlapping effect is because of the change from one medicine to another. Close monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended in these cases.
Pediatric use
This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Lactic Acidosis
This medicine may cause lactic acidosis, which may be fatal, in some patients. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from heart diseases, kidney diseases, etc. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Diarrhea
This medicine may cause diarrhea when therapy is initiated. In most cases, diarrhea subsides by itself. Contact your doctor if the problem persists for longer durations. Therapy may need to be discontinued in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency since it may worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate vitamin B12 supplementation and dose adjustments may be required in some cases.