Alrista Plus

Composition of Alrista Plus

Alrista Plus contains Epalrestat + Methylcobalamin. It belongs to the Oral anti-diabetic and B-complex vitamin class of medicines.

Uses of Alrista Plus

• This medicine is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• vitamin b deficiency
• nerve pain and tingling
• anaemia and tiredness due to deficiency.

Key benefits

• Targets the after-meal sugar rise
• Can be combined with other diabetes medicines
• Corrects a deficiency that causes tiredness and nerve symptoms
• Supports the formation of healthy red blood cells
• Generally well tolerated

How Alrista Plus works

This medicine combines 2 active ingredients: Epalrestat and Methylcobalamin. Epalrestat helps control blood sugar, particularly the rise that follows a meal. Methylcobalamin replaces a B vitamin your body needs to make red blood cells, to keep nerves healthy and to release energy from food.

How to take Alrista Plus

Use this medicine as your doctor has directed. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine may cause low blood sugar and marked stomach upset. It is unlikely to cause serious harm, because the body passes surplus B vitamins out in the urine. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Alrista Plus

Most side effects of Alrista Plus are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Flatulence
• Loose motions
• Stomach discomfort
• Swelling of the ankles and feet
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Harmless bright yellow urine

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Alrista Plus

Warnings and precautions

If you feel shaky, sweaty, confused or unusually hungry, take sugar, glucose or a sweet drink at once and tell your doctor — these are signs your blood sugar has fallen too low. If a low-sugar episode happens while on an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor such as voglibose or acarbose, use glucose — ordinary sugar and sweets work more slowly. Tell your doctor about any new swelling of the ankles, breathlessness or sudden weight gain. Tingling, numbness or burning in the hands and feet should be assessed by a doctor rather than self-treated — a supplement does not address the cause. Folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency while nerve damage continues, so B12 should be checked before taking folic acid long term. Bright yellow urine after a B-complex dose is expected and harmless.

Do not take Alrista Plus if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. Not for people with heart failure, active bladder cancer or unexplained blood in the urine.

Interactions with other medicines

Low blood sugar is more likely when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. Long-term metformin, acid-reducing medicines and some anti-epileptics lower B12 or folate levels. Tell your doctor if you take levodopa, as vitamin B6 can reduce its effect.

How to store Alrista Plus

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Alrista Plus

Take it with the first mouthful of your meal so it can act on that meal. Expect some wind in the first weeks; it usually settles. A supplement corrects a deficiency; it is not a general energy tonic. If you are on it for nerve symptoms, keep your review appointment so the underlying cause is looked for.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD

Therapeutic class:

Anti-diabetic and Vitamin supplement

Drug class:

Oral anti-diabetic and B-complex vitamin