Startmet SR 500 Tablet

Composition of Startmet SR 500 Tablet

Startmet SR 500 Tablet contains Metformin hydrochloride sustained-release 500 mg. It belongs to the Biguanide (insulin sensitizer) class of medicines.

Uses of Startmet SR 500 Tablet

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (to control blood glucose)
• especially in overweight patients; used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines/insulin along with diet and exercise

Key benefits

• Lowers fasting and post-meal blood glucose
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Helps reduce HbA1c over time
• Weight-neutral or modest weight loss benefit
• Once-daily sustained-release may reduce stomach side effects

How Startmet SR 500 Tablet works

Metformin reduces glucose production by the liver and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin, helping cells use glucose better. The sustained-release form releases the medicine slowly, improving gastrointestinal tolerability and providing longer control.

How to take Startmet SR 500 Tablet

Take by mouth as advised by the doctor, usually once daily with the evening meal or with food. Swallow tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or break. Follow diet/exercise plan and monitor blood sugar regularly.

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 a dangerous build-up of acid in the blood, with vomiting, severe weakness and laboured breathing. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Startmet SR 500 Tablet

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

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• metallic taste
• flatulence
• headache

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 Startmet SR 500 Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Risk of lactic acidosis (rare but serious) especially with kidney impairment, severe dehydration, sepsis, heavy alcohol use, or hypoxia; kidney function (eGFR/creatinine) should be checked before and periodically during treatment. Temporarily stop before/after iodinated contrast procedures and major surgery as advised. Use with caution in liver disease, heart failure, elderly, and conditions causing low oxygen. Long-term use may cause vitamin B12 deficiency—consider monitoring if anaemia/neuropathy. Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Do not take Startmet SR if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. 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

Alcohol, iodinated contrast media, cimetidine, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., topiramate/acetazolamide), diuretics, corticosteroids, thyroid hormones, sympathomimetics, antipsychotics (may raise glucose), ACE inhibitors/ARBs and other antidiabetics/insulin (may increase hypoglycaemia risk when combined)

How to store Startmet SR 500 Tablet

Store below 25°C in a dry place, protected from moisture and direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

Expert advice for Startmet SR 500 Tablet

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.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

SANZ PHARMACEUTICALS

Therapeutic class:

Antidiabetic

Drug class:

Biguanide (insulin sensitizer)