Alsita GM1 Tablet

Composition of Alsita GM1 Tablet

Alsita GM1 Tablet contains GLIMEPIRIDE-1MG+METFORMIN-500MG+SITAGLIPTIN-50MG. It belongs to the Sulfonylurea, Biguanide and DPP-4 inhibitor class of medicines.

Uses of Alsita GM1 Tablet

This medicine is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Key benefits

• Lowers blood sugar quickly
• Long-established and inexpensive
• First-choice medicine for type 2 diabetes
• Does not usually cause weight gain
• Low risk of hypoglycaemia when used alone
• Weight neutral
• Usually taken once a day

How Alsita GM1 Tablet works

This medicine combines 3 active ingredients: Glimepiride, Metformin and Sitagliptin. Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by prompting your pancreas to release more of its own insulin. Metformin lowers blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose your liver releases and by helping your muscles respond better to your own insulin. It does not force your pancreas to make more insulin, which is why it rarely causes low blood sugar on its own. Sitagliptin lowers blood sugar by protecting the natural gut hormones that tell your pancreas to release insulin after a meal, so the effect is strongest when your sugar is highest.

How to take Alsita GM1 Tablet

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it unless your doctor has told you to. Take it shortly before a meal. Taking it at about the same time each day helps you remember. 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 can cause severe and prolonged low blood sugar, which may lead to fits or unconsciousness. It can cause a dangerous build-up of acid in the blood, with vomiting, severe weakness and laboured breathing. It may cause low blood sugar, particularly if you also take other diabetes medicines. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Alsita GM1 Tablet

Most side effects of Alsita GM1 are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Low blood sugar
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loose motions
• Stomach pain
• Metallic taste
• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose

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 Alsita GM1 Tablet

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. Do not skip meals while on this medicine — a missed meal is the commonest cause of a low-sugar episode. Carry glucose, sugar or sweets with you, and tell the people you live and work with what a low-sugar episode looks like. Older people and people with kidney trouble are more likely to have low sugar, and may need a smaller dose. Stomach upset is common in the first two weeks and usually settles; taking it with food helps. Tell your doctor before any surgery or a scan that uses contrast dye — this medicine is usually stopped for a short time around them. Stop and seek urgent care if you develop deep rapid breathing, severe weakness, muscle pain or vomiting with cold clammy skin. This is rare but serious. Long-term use can lower vitamin B12, so your doctor may check it from time to time. Stop and see a doctor urgently if you get severe, persistent abdominal pain that spreads to your back, with or without vomiting. Tell your doctor if you develop severe or disabling joint pain. Blisters or peeling of the skin should be reported promptly.

Do not take Alsita GM1 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 severe kidney or liver disease. Not for people with severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or an acute illness causing dehydration. Not for people who have had diabetic ketoacidosis.

Interactions with other medicines

Many medicines change how strongly this works — tell your doctor about aspirin, blood thinners, antifungals, sulfa antibiotics and beta blockers in particular. Beta blockers can mask the warning signs of low blood sugar. Tell your doctor about water tablets, steroids, and any contrast dye scan. Alcohol increases the risk of the rare acid build-up and should be limited. Low blood sugar is more likely when this is combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin; your doctor may lower that dose.

How to store Alsita GM1 Tablet

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

Expert advice for Alsita GM1 Tablet

Take it shortly before a meal, and eat that meal. Check your sugar as often as your doctor has asked, especially when your routine changes. Take it with or just after food to reduce stomach upset. Keep taking it even when your sugar readings look normal — that is the medicine working. Continue your diet and physical activity; this medicine works alongside them, not instead of them. It can be taken with or without food, at the same time each day. Keep up your diet and activity — this medicine supports them.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

ALKEM LAB

Therapeutic class:

Anti-diabetic

Drug class:

Sulfonylurea, Biguanide and DPP-4 inhibitor