Pioglitazone and Glimepiride are combined in this medicine.
Pioglitazone + Glimepiride is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes (a long-term condition in which the body gradually becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin). It helps treat your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar under control.
This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Pioglitazone + Glimepiride exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine with your first main meal of the day. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your response to the medication.
Pioglitazone + Glimepiride must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Pioglitazone + Glimepiride if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to a certain group of medicines called sulfonamides.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- bladder cancer
as Pioglitazone + Glimepiride may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- other heart problems
- swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or legs
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder where the body lacks a certain enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells)
- exposed to stress-related conditions e.g. fever, infection, trauma, surgery
- problems in the adrenal glands or pituitary gland
- history of bladder cancer
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Pioglitazone + Glimepiride to the elderly, debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age), or malnourished person (lacks nutrition necessary for the body to function). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Liver function tests may be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood sugar levels, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for weight gain may also be needed.
To help control your diabetes, it is important to continue following the diet and exercise recommended by your doctor while you are taking Pioglitazone + Glimepiride.
If you are taking this medicine with other types of anti-diabetic medicines, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, and sweating. These signs are your body's way of warning you that your blood sugar level is low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia may worsen.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take 15 grams of glucose tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia, wait for 15 minutes and re-check your blood sugar level. If you are not feeling better or if your blood sugar level is still low (less than 4 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL), take another 15 grams of glucose tablet.
If you don't have glucose tablets, you may take any of the following:
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (not sugar-free)
Get medical help should symptoms not improve after the second serving.
Pioglitazone + Glimepiride may cause impaired concentration or ability to react which may be due to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, diarrhoea, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, and pain in arms or legs.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, or throat
- changes in eyesight
- dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling sleepy or weak, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, sweating, passing out, fits or seizures
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever
- pain when passing urine, passing urine more often, blood in the urine
- signs and symptoms of heart failure e.g. shortness of breath, rapid increase in weight, swelling of the ankles or legs
- bone pain
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, pramlintide
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin, isoniazid
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. clonidine, reserpine
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. miconazole, fluconazole
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, topiramate
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. olanzapine, clozapine
- medicines that reduce stomach acid production
- medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, isocarboxazid
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- certain antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, tetracycline
- asthma medicines e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- certain water pills or medicines for water retention
- probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- disopyramide (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pioglitazone + Glimepiride.
Colesevelam (cholesterol-lowering medicine) may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine when taken at the same time. If you are taking colesevelam, take Pioglitazone + Glimepiride at least 4 hours before your colesevelam dose.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet plan with your doctor or dietitian to manage your weight and blood sugar levels.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from humidity and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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