What Is Diabex Used For?

Diabex contains metformin hydrochloride and belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. It helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by helping your body make better use of the insulin your pancreas produces.

Primary Uses

Diabex is used to control blood glucose (sugar levels) in people with diabetes mellitus. It can be used in type 2 diabetes in adults and children over 10 years of age. It’s especially helpful for overweight patients when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to control high blood sugar levels.

How It Works

Diabex lowers high blood glucose by helping your body make better use of the insulin produced by your pancreas. People with type 2 diabetes either can’t make enough insulin or their body doesn’t respond properly to the insulin it makes, causing glucose to build up in the blood.

How to Take Diabex

The dose varies from person to person, and your doctor will decide the right dose for you. Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Dosage Instructions

Adults: The usual starting dose is 500 mg one to two times a day. Your doctor may increase or decrease the dose depending on your blood glucose levels. The maximum recommended dose is 1000 mg three times a day. Children & Adolescents (10+ years): Usually start with one 500 mg or 850 mg tablet once daily. Maximum dose is 3000 mg taken as three divided doses throughout the day. Take with food to reduce stomach upset. Swallow tablets with water. The 1000 mg tablets can be split in half if advised by your doctor.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (with food), then continue your normal schedule. Take at the same time each day for best results.

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Taste disturbance
• Loss of appetite
• Skin reactions (redness, itching, rash)

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Diabex should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Diabex

Do not use if you have: allergies to metformin or biguanides; type 1 diabetes well controlled by insulin alone; type 2 diabetes already well controlled by diet alone; metabolic acidosis, lactic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis; severe liver disease; excessive alcohol intake or alcohol dependence; kidney failure or severe kidney disease; dehydration, severe blood loss, or shock; severe infection; certain heart problems including recent heart attack or severe heart failure; severe breathing difficulties; blood clots in lungs; gangrene; inflammation of pancreas; or if you need major surgery or X-ray/scan with contrast dye.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: kidney problems; liver problems; heart or blood vessel problems including heart failure; known or suspected mitochondrial disease; or if you drink alcohol regularly.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Diabex if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The safety in pregnant women has not been established. Insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy, and your doctor will replace Diabex with insulin if needed.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interact with Diabex and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• Other diabetes medicines (insulin, glitinides, sulfonylureas)
• Medicines containing alcohol (cough and cold syrups)
• Tetracosactide (for multiple sclerosis, seizures)
• Danazol (for endometriosis)
• Blood pressure and heart medicines (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors)
• Blood clot prevention medicines (warfarin)
• Diuretics (fluid tablets)
• Chlorpromazine (for schizophrenia)
• NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc.)
• Cimetidine (for reflux and ulcers)
• Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
• Asthma medicines (salbutamol, terbutaline)
• Certain cancer and HIV medicines
• Rifampicin
• Topiramate and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Alcohol & Driving

Both alcohol and low blood sugar can affect your ability to drive safely. Be aware of these important precautions.

Alcohol

Alcohol can affect your diabetes control. Drinking excessive amounts while taking Diabex may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Diabex by itself is unlikely to affect your driving ability. However, low blood glucose levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Be especially careful not to let your blood glucose fall too low when you need to be alert.

Storage

Keep tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, on a window sill, or in the car. Keep away from heat and dampness, and out of reach of children. A locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is ideal.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve taken too much Diabex, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include sleepiness, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, unusual muscle pain, stomach pain, or diarrhea. These may be early signs of lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid in blood). You may also experience low blood sugar symptoms – treat immediately with jelly beans, sugar, honey, or glucose tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions