Side Effects:

Common Nausea, Vomiting, Altered taste, Diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, Loss of appetite.

Expert advice for Formet Tablet SR
Metformin is the medicine of choice to lower blood sugar levels. You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take your other diabetes medicines (if prescribed) along with Formet. Chances of weight gain and low blood sugar are lesser as compared to other diabetes medicines. An upset stomach with nausea and diarrhoea may occur in the first two weeks; take it with food to avoid an upset stomach. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) may occur when taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol or on delaying/skipping a meal. Carry a sugar source with you for immediate relief. Notify your doctor if you have a kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust your dose. Vitamin B12 deficiency and symptoms of anemia like fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath or headache may occur. Notify your doctor if you experience any of these as you may require supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Formet helpful in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Yes. Formet is helpful in patients with PCOS. It may be used along with other medicines to induce ovulation and regularize menstrual cycles. It also delays the development of type 2 diabetes if you already have prediabetes and aids in weight loss if you follow a diet and exercise program.

Q. How does Formet help in weight loss?
Formet helps in weight loss by decreasing hunger (appetite) and hence food intake. It makes the insulin already available in your body to work more effectively. This leads to decrease glucose production, increase glucose use and decreased fat deposits which further helps to lower body weight. However, it is not yet approved for weight loss, this is an off-label use.

Q. Is Formet useful in the treatment of infertility?
Formet is commonly used off-label for the treatment of infertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It regulates ovulation and androgen levels in the body and improves menstrual regularity and pregnancy rates and outcomes. This beneficial effect is thought to be due to improvement in insulin resistance by Formet.

Q. Does Formet cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)?
Formet can lower blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). It happens more often if you delay or miss your food, do more than your routine exercise, drink alcohol or take other antidiabetic medicine along with. So, regular monitoring of blood sugar level is important and be cautious of symptoms of hypoglycemia and always keep glucose tablets, honey or fruit juice with you.

Q. Can I take Formet forever?
Formet is generally a safe and well-tolerated drug even on long-term use. However, its long-term use can cause vitamin B12 deficiency leading to anemia and peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage). so, it should be taken only at prescribed doses for the duration as advised by the doctor.

Q. Is Formet a sulfonylurea?
No, Formet is not a sulfonylurea. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modification in diet and exercise.

Q. Is Formet a steroid?
No, Formet is not a steroid. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modifications in diet and exercise.

Q. Does Formet cause bloating?
Formet commonly causes stomach upset like bloating (heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the stomach), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. To avoid these side effects, it is advised to be taken after meals, preferably started at a low dose and then increased slowly over weeks, or by using slow-release tablets.

Q. Is Formet good for fatty liver?
Formet is seen to be beneficial in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). One of the underlying cause of NAFLD is insulin resistance. Formet improves insulin resistance and liver enzymes in these patients. It is not seen to benefit patients of alcoholic fatty liver disease and is usually avoided in patients with liver cirrhosis as they are at an increased risk of lactic acidosis.

Q. What is the benefit of combining Formet with coenzyme q10?
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that helps in energy production and is found in heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas (which produces insulin). It can repair the damage caused to these organs by free radicals. Low levels of CoQ10 are seen in patients with diabetes. So, some researchers suggest it be given from outside. It can be taken with Formet as no drug-drug interactions or harmful effects have been seen between the two.

Q. Does Formet help in improving your menstrual cycle (periods)?
Yes, Formet does improve menstrual cycle (periods) regularity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is associated with insulin resistance, decreased ovulation, and high androgen levels which cause menstrual irregularities like delayed periods and scanty bleeding. Formet helps in regularizing menstrual cycles by improving insulin sensitivity, ovulation rate, and decreasing androgen levels.

Q. Can I take Formet with atorvastatin?
Yes, Formet can be taken with atorvastatin. There are no reported harmful effects when they are used together. Rather some studies suggest beneficial effects in diabetics as they may prevent a very high increase in blood glucose after food, decrease some inflammation markers and protect the patients from liver injury.

Q. Can I take Formet with phentermine?
Formet can be taken with phentermine. These are sometimes given together in obese patients who are also diabetic and are taking Formet along with exercise and diet modification. Phentermine decreases food intake by its action in the brain. However, phentermine can decrease the effect of Formet leading to very high blood glucose levels. So, a dose adjustment of Formet may be needed.

Q. Can I take Formet with levothyroxine?
Formet can be taken with levothyroxine but the dose of Formet may need to be adjusted. Levothyroxine can decrease the effect of Formet leading to very high blood glucose levels. These are used together in patients with coexisting thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Q. Can I take Formet with prednisolone?
Formet can be taken with prednisolone but the dose of Formet may need to be adjusted. Prednisolone can decrease the effect of Formet leading to very high blood glucose levels. Continuous use of steroids like prednisolone can also cause diabetes known as glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and use of Formet is recommended in these patients.

Q. Can I take Formet with metoprolol?
Formet can be taken with metoprolol. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects in humans when they are used together. However, some animal studies suggest that metoprolol can decrease the blood levels of Formet and on long-term use can increase lactic acid and uric acid levels.

Q. Does Formet clear acne?
Formet is not indicated for clearing acne due to just any condition. It only helps in clearing acne in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) along with other problems like facial hair, abdominal obesity, and irregular menstruation.

Q. Does Formet cause hair loss?
No, hair loss has not been reported with Formet. It only helps in clearing facial hair (hirsutism) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) along with other problems like acne, abdominal obesity, and irregular menstruation.

Q. Does Formet cause weight gain?
No, weight gain has not been reported with Formet. Rather it helps in decreasing weight especially abdominal fat patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus and in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) along with other problems like facial hair, acne, and irregular menstruation.

Q. Does Formet cause constipation?
Formet is not known to cause constipation. Some common side effects associated with the use of Formet includes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, altered taste, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Q. Is Formet safe?
Formet is a safe and well-tolerated drug even on long-term use when taken strictly as advised by the doctor. However, there are some very common side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, altered taste, diarrhea, and loss of appetite you may experience even at therapeutic doses.

Q. Does Formet increase blood pressure?
Formet is not known to increase blood pressure. Some common side effects associated with the use of Formet includes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, altered taste, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Q. Is Formet an insulin?
No, Formet is not an insulin. Formet is an oral drug used in type 2 diabetes mellitus and lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing its production and increasing absorption and making the already available insulin in your body to work better. Insulin is a normally produced hormone in the body, used in the injectable form in the treatment of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and it works by absorbing and storing glucose from the blood.

Q. Is Formet a banned drug?
No, Formet is not a banned drug. It is a prescription medicine and is available when prescribed by registered medical practitioner.

Q. Is Formet a birth control pill?
No, Formet is not a birth control pill. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modification in diet and exercise.

Q. Is Formet a statin?
No, Formet is not a statin. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modification in diet and exercise.

Q. Can I take Formet with saxagliptin?
Both Formet and saxagliptin are anti diabetic drugs and can be used together. Their fixed dose combinations are also available and commonly advised once Formet is unable to control blood sugar levels even after giving the maximum tolerated dose. As they work by different mechanisms, they help in better control of blood sugar levels compared to either drug taken alone.

Q. Does Formet cause blurry vision?
Formet is not known to cause blurred vision. Change in vision in a patient with diabetes could be due to multiple reasons. It could be a temporary problem either due to high blood sugar levels which cause your lens inside your eye to swell and change your vision. If the blurred vision continues for a long time, consult a doctor.

Q. What is lactic acidosis and how is it related to Formet use?
Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious complication associated with the use of Formet. Patient has high blood lactic acid levels and may present with tiredness, weakness, stomach pain, loose stools, severe muscle pain, muscle cramps and difficulty in breathing. It is especially seen in old age patients, those with kidney, liver or heart disease, or who take large amounts of alcohol. If you have these symptoms, stop taking Formet and consult your doctor.

Q. Is Formet use associated with liver pain?
Formet is not known to cause any liver pain or damage. Rather, it is seen to be useful in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C. However, it is usually avoided in patients with liver cirrhosis as they are at an increased risk of lactic acidosis which is a serious complication associated with the use of Formet.

Q. Does Formet make you feel high?
No, Formet does not elevate the mood or make you feel high. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modification in diet and exercise. Rare side effects of Formet include anxiety and depression.

Q. Can Formet cause back pain?
Usually, Formet is not associated with back pain. However, it can be a presentation of stomach upset, a common side effect caused by Formet which includes bloating (heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the stomach), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or it could be a symptom of lactic acidosis, a rare and a serious complication of Formet.

Q. Can long-term use of Formet cause vitamin b12 deficiency?
Yes, Formet causes vitamin B12 deficiency on long-term use as it interferes with absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. If untreated, it may cause anemia and nerve problems and the patient can have tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet, weakness, urinary problems, change in mental status and difficulty in making balance (ataxia). To avoid these problems, some researchers suggest an intake of vitamin B12 from outside at least once every year.

Q. Is Formet useful in the management of metabolic syndrome?
Yes, Formet is seen to be useful in the management of metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, abnormal blood cholesterol levels and excess fat around the waist. Formet is an insulin sensitizer and it improves the action of insulin and normalises blood sugar levels and reduces body weight.

Q. How beneficial is it to take Formet with glimepiride?
Both Formet and glimepiride are anti diabetic drugs and can be used together. They work by different mechanisms and can control the blood sugar levels in a much better way when used together as compared to either drug taken alone. However, glimepiride can cause very low blood glucose levels, so a regular monitoring of blood glucose is very important.

Q. Is it safe to take Formet with cetirizine?
Yes, Formet can be taken with cetirizine. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Formet and ranitidine together?
Formet can be taken with ranitidine. However, if you are taking them together, you need to monitor blood glucose levels regularly as ranitidine can decrease the removal of Formet from the body and increase its blood levels. This can cause very low blood sugar levels and other side effects as well and the dose of Formet may need adjustment.

Q. How beneficial is it to take Formet with linagliptin?
Both Formet and linagliptin are anti-diabetic drugs and can be used together. Their fixed dose combinations are also available and commonly advised once Formet is unable to control blood sugar levels even after giving the maximum tolerated dose. As they work by different mechanisms, they help in better control of blood sugar levels compared to either drug taken alone.

Q. Does Formet inhibit hepatitis B virus protein?
Yes, some research studies have shown that Formet can decrease the multiplication and growth of hepatitis B virus when given along with other antiviral drugs. However, this is indication is still under research and not yet approved.

Q. Can I take Formet before or after a chest x-ray? Does its use lead to chest x-ray abnormality?
Formet should be temporarily discontinued before chest or any X-ray that requires injection of a contrast medium or dye. These dyes can decrease kidney function and Formet along with these dyes can cause a serious side effect like lactic acidosis. So you may need to stop taking Formet. However, do not stop taking any medicine without talking to your doctor.

Q. Does Formet make you sleepy?
Formet can cause sleepiness which could be an early symptom of lactic acidosis along with tiredness, weakness, stomach pain, loose stools, severe muscle pain, muscle cramps and difficulty in breathing. It is a serious condition caused by Formet seen in old age patients, those with kidney, liver or heart disease, or those who take large amounts of alcohol. If you have these symptoms, stop taking Formet and consult your doctor.

Q. Does the use of Formet cause joint pain?
Use of Formet is not associated with joint pain. However, diabetes itself decreases blood circulation to the joints and even damages them leading to joint pain. Use of anti-diabetic drugs like sitagliptin or saxagliptin is also associated with joint pain. Early symptoms of lactic acidosis like muscle pain and cramps with weakness and tiredness can be mistaken for joint pain.

Q. Can Formet help in reducing weight gain caused by antipsychotics?
Formet may be of help in the treatment and prevention of weight gain caused by antipsychotics along with lifestyle modifications like a change in diet and regular exercise. Weight gain is an important reason for discontinuation of these medicines. Formet improves insulin sensitivity and prevents weight gain, both of these factors are affected by the use of antipsychotics.

Q. Is Formet useful in the treatment of fragile X syndrome?
Formet has shown promising results in some animal research studies in the treatment of fragile X syndrome. It may help in improving mental and behavioral disorders (autism) and control obesity and risk of developing diabetes in these patients. But these results are very preliminary and it is still not approved for the treatment of fragile X syndrome.

Q. What is the difference between liraglutide and Formet?
Formet and liraglutide are antidiabetic drugs and both control blood sugar levels effectively. Formet is taken by oral route and it decreases glucose production from liver and glucose absorption from the gut and increases insulin sensitivity. While liraglutide is an injectable and it increases insulin release from the pancreas. Both cause stomach upset, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and bloating while liraglutide also increases the risk of pancreatitis.

Q. Does Formet use make you feel high?
No, Formet does not elevate the mood or make you feel high. It is an antidiabetic drug used to control high blood sugar levels in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, along with modification in diet and exercise. Rare side effects of Formet include anxiety and depression.

Q. Does Formet make you sweat?
Yes, sweating is one of the known side effects of Formet. The exact cause of this is not known. Some researchers suggest it to be due to low blood sugar levels especially at night which can cause night sweats as well. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and talk to your doctor as your dose of Formet may need to be adjusted.

Q. Can I take Formet with clomiphene citrate?
Formet can be taken with clomiphene citrate. They are advised together in patients with infertility along with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Clinical studies have shown an improvement in ovulation and pregnancy rates in these patients as compared to use of clomiphene citrate alone or if the patients are resistant to the effects of clomiphene citrate. However, this is still under research.

Q. Is Formet useful in treating or preventing breast cancer?
Formet is seen to be useful in the treatment and prevention of cancers especially breast cancer in research studies. As high insulin levels are known to increase the risk of cancer, Formet decreases cancer cell growth by decreasing insulin and blood glucose levels. However, its use in treating breast cancer is not yet approved.

Q. Does Formet use increase your chance to get Helicobacter pylori infection?
No, Formet is not associated with an increased risk of Helicobacter pylori infection. Diabetes itself increases the risk of H.pylori infection which increases the chances of stomach upset like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating by Formet.

Q. Does Formet use leads to anemia?
Formet may decrease the levels of vitamin B12 on long term use which may rarely cause a type of anemia in which blood cells are larger than normal (megaloblastic anemia). You may need to take foods rich in vitamin B12 like eggs, dairy products, and meat or a supplement from outside.

Q. Is Formet useful in the treatment of prediabetes?
Formet is seen to be useful in the management of prediabetes, a condition with blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to label you as diabetic. Formet makes the insulin already available in your body to work more effectively, decreases glucose production by liver and increases use of glucose by the muscles and lowers body weight. However, lifestyle modifications like a change in diet and exercise should be tried first as they are seen to be more effective than Formet.

Q. Can I take Formet with teneligliptin?
Yes, Formet can be taken with teneligliptin. It is a good add-on treatment if the blood sugars are very high even after taking Formet. The risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) is also very low with both the medicines. However, consult your doctor before taking them together as a dose adjustment may be needed.