Glycomet is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and is one of the most common forms of prescribed metformin. It helps control blood sugar levels thus preventing the severe complications of diabetes.
Women with PCOS are often prescribed Glycomet to help resolve the body’s insensitivity toward insulin because insulin resistance is the cause of PCOS for 70% of PCOS patients. It can also be prescribed to PCOS patients at potential risk for prediabetes, type-2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. In the case of pregnant women, it may also help avoid a miscarriage.
Start PCOS Treatment Free Nutrition GuideGlycomet Tablet is an anti-diabetic medication belonging to the biguanide class. It works by lowering glucose production in the liver, increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, and delaying the absorption of sugar (glucose) from the intestines.
It is mainly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is also prescribed to PCOS patients to help with insulin resistance, and in some cases, excessive androgens and irregular periods too.
Glycomet belongs to the class of medicines called biguanides and its common drug name is metformin.
Glycomet works by lowering the production of glucose in the liver, delaying the absorption of glucose (sugar) from the intestines and increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin. Lowering blood glucose levels is an essential part of managing diabetes.
Glycomet is most commonly dispensed in the form of tablets. The tablet is best taken with food to avoid side effects like abdominal pain and nausea. It is advised to take it regularly and at the same time each day to benefit the most.
However, you should start and stop taking the Glycomet Tablet only based on the advice given by your primary health care provider.
Glycomet is the brand name whereas the name of the medicine is metformin.
Normally it is used to control blood sugar levels in diabetics, but it is also used as an off-label drug to help women with PCOS. Metformin is administered to PCOS women to help with insulin resistance which also causes the body to produce male hormones (androgens), thus hampering menstruation and pregnancy.
For women with PCOS, Glycomet mainly helps improve insulin resistivity, which is the root cause of PCOS for most women. It helps decrease the absorption of glucose from the intestine and the stomach and also prevents the liver from making too much insulin. All this collectively helps reduce the levels of androgens in the body. Patients may also get relief from hyperandrogenic symptoms like hair loss, baldness, facial hair, acne and irregular periods.
Thus, Glycomet can aid in weight loss, promote hormonal balance and improve metabolic health in general. Pregnant women with PCOS can benefit greatly as it reduces the risk of preterm delivery and gestational diabetes. For women with anovulatory PCOS, metformin can help stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs and thus, regulate the menstrual cycle.
A strip of 10 tablets of Glycomet 250 mg can cost between INR 14 to INR 16 whereas a strip of 10 tablets of Glycomet 500 mg can cost you around INR 16.
A strip of 15 tablets of Glycomet 1000 mg can cost around INR 60.
Your dosage of Glycomet depends mainly on your condition and various factors like:
Initially, your doctor will start with a low dosage and adjust your medication with time, giving your body time to adjust.
While the function of Glycomet remains the same, it is available in different strengths. Thus, the basic difference between Glycomet 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg is just its strength.
Your healthcare provider may start you with a low dosage, but if your condition does not improve, you may be prescribed a higher dosage. If patients witness a sudden spike in their blood sugar levels, higher doses of Glycomet are prescribed.
However, the strength of the drug required for your body can only be determined after analysing your symptoms and your condition. Please speak to your primary healthcare provider before opting for any medication.
Insulin helps the cells and organs of the body absorb glucose from the blood, which is then converted into energy. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not respond well to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels, which puts you at risk for diabetes and other chronic health conditions like PCOS.
This can cause high insulin levels which cause the body to produce more androgens, resulting in several hyperandrogenic PCOS symptoms.
The primary function of Glycomet is to decrease the absorption of sugar by the intestines and stomach while preventing the liver from producing blood glucose. It also helps improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin and brings down the levels of insulin in the body.
Most of the side effects of Glycomet do not require medical attention and may disappear once your body adjusts to the medicine.
Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and flatulence are side effects you might experience. However, you should consult your doctor if the side effects do not subside with time.
Glycomet may react with antidepressants and drugs used to treat glaucoma along with antibiotics like cephalexin and ciprofloxacin. It can also reach with heart condition drugs (digoxin), anti-HIV drugs (dolutegravir), anti-acidity drugs (cimetidine), saliva-reducing drugs (glycopyrrolate), ethanol, iodinated X-ray contrast agents, heart-related chest medicine (ranolazine) and anti-epileptic drugs (topiramate, lamotrigine).
Other possible drug interactions could contribute to increased low blood sugar including antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid), sex hormones (androgens), growth hormones (pegvisomant), anti-TB drugs (prothionamide), painkillers (aspirin) and other antidiabetic medicines.
It is advised to avoid any foods that can possibly spike your blood sugar levels. Sugary foods and drinks, processed carbs, fried food and other such foods will not directly worsen your condition but will make it much harder for the Glycomet to work, thus prolonging your symptoms.
Glycomet directly will not cause you to lose weight, but considering the conditions it works upon, like lowering blood sugar levels and increasing insulin responsiveness in the body, patients may witness a slight reduction in their weight.
Glycomet has been shown to improve fertility outcomes in women with PCOS-associated insulin resistance. In some cases, this medication can help regulate menstruation and can also reduce the chances of C-sections and premature births.
Glycomet has a low risk of causing birth defects and complications for your baby, making this drug safe to take before and during pregnancy. It is also safe to take while breastfeeding your child. However, it is important to speak to a doctor who can advise on the dosage and duration of taking Glycomet.
Glycomet contains metformin as the active ingredient. It is mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition in which the pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control and the body is also unable to use its own insulin adequately.
