Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

Composition of Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet contains Canagliflozin (50mg) + Metformin (1000mg). It belongs to the SGLT2 inhibitor / GLP-1 analogue and Biguanide class of medicines.

Uses of Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

• This medicine is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Key benefits

• Protects the heart and kidneys as well as lowering sugar
• Usually causes modest weight loss
• Low risk of hypoglycaemia when used alone
• First-choice medicine for type 2 diabetes
• Does not usually cause weight gain

How Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet works

This medicine combines 2 active ingredients: Canagliflozin and Metformin. Canagliflozin lowers blood sugar by making your kidneys pass surplus glucose out in the urine, and also eases the load on the heart and kidneys. 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.

How to take Vokanamet 50/1000 mg 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 in the morning, with or without food. 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 dehydration and a fall in blood pressure. It 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 Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

Most side effects of Vokanamet 50/1000 mg are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Passing urine more often
• Thirst
• Genital itching or thrush
• Urinary infection
• Nausea
• Loose motions
• Stomach pain
• Metallic taste
• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence

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 Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Drink enough water, especially in hot weather or if you have loose motions — this medicine makes you pass more urine. Seek urgent care for nausea with vomiting, stomach pain and deep rapid breathing, even if your sugar reading is normal. Report any pain, tenderness, redness or swelling in the genital area or perineum immediately — this is rare but needs same-day attention. Genital thrush is common; keep the area clean and dry and tell your doctor if it recurs. 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.

Do not take Vokanamet 50/1000 mg 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 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

Water tablets increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure when taken with this. Low blood sugar is more likely when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. 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.

How to store Vokanamet 50/1000 mg 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 Vokanamet 50/1000 mg Tablet

Take it in the morning so the extra urine does not disturb your sleep. Keep up your fluid intake and maintain genital hygiene. Tell any doctor treating you for an acute illness that you take this medicine. 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:

JOHNSON & JOHNSON LIMITED

Therapeutic class:

Anti-diabetic

Drug class:

SGLT2 inhibitor / GLP-1 analogue and Biguanide