Duetact 4mg 30 Tablets

Description

Diotact contains pioglitazone and glimepiride which are anti-diabetic medicines, used to control blood sugar levels. It is used in adults when metformin is not suitable for treating type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood when the body either does not produce enough insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar levels), or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively. Diotact helps control your blood sugar levels when you have type 2 diabetes by increasing the amount of insulin available and helping your body use it better. Your doctor will check if Diotact is working 3 to 6 months after you start taking it. How to use The recommended dose is one tablet taken once daily shortly after or during your first meal. Your doctor will tell you if you need to take a different dose. The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water. If you feel that the effect of Diotact is too weak, tell your doctor. If you are on a special diabetic diet, you should continue with it while taking Diotact. Your weight should be checked at regular intervals; tell your doctor if you gain weight. Your doctor will ask you to have blood tests periodically during treatment with Duotact. Warnings and precautions If you have heart problems. Some patients with long-term type 2 diabetes and previous heart disease or stroke who have been treated with pioglitazone and insulin together have developed heart failure. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, or localized swelling (edema). If you have water retention (fluid retention) or heart failure problems, especially if you are older than 75. If you are taking anti-inflammatory medicines which can also cause fluid retention and swelling, you should also tell your doctor. If you have a special type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye). If you have a liver problem. Before you start taking Diotact you should have a blood sample taken to check your liver function. This test should be repeated at intervals. You should tell your doctor as soon as possible if you develop symptoms suggesting a liver problem (such as feeling sick for no reason, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, loss of appetite and/or dark urine) so that your liver function will be checked. If you have cysts on your ovaries (polycystic ovary syndrome) there may be an increased chance of becoming pregnant because you may ovulate again when taking Diotact. If this applies to you, use appropriate contraception to avoid the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. If you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes. Side Effects Common side effects of pioglitazone/glimepiride may include: Hypoglycemia; Weight gain; Headache; Muscle pain; Anxiety; Depression; Heart rate. Nausea and diarrhea. Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, and sore throat. Storage Information Store below 30°C. Drug Interactions Many drugs can interact with pioglitazone/glimepiride, which may significantly change their effect. These drugs include: Insulin. Taking pioglitazone/glimepiride while using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems. Strong CYP2C8 inhibitors. A strong CYP2C8 inhibitor increases pioglitazone exposure approximately 3-fold. Colesevelam. When colesevelam is co-administered with glimepiride, the maximum plasma concentration and total exposure of glimepiride are reduced. Miconazole orally. Drugs that increase the activity of the enzyme CYP2C8 or CYP2C9, such as rifampin. Ingredients Pioglitazone and glimepiride Specifications The tablets are white to yellowish in colour, round and convex, engraved with “4833G” on one side and “30/4” on the other side. The tablets are supplied in a white box containing 30 tablets.