HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Should Diamicron And Glycoment Be Taken When On Insulin To Control Blood Sugar Levels?

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Question: Am a diabetic for the past 26 years and was on oral medicines for the 10 years and since then both on insulin (twice a day) and am also taking both Diamicron XR 60 and also Glycoment. Why should I take these two tablets while I am on insulin. Do these two tablets help me gain or lose weight?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please continue Glycomet

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Once you are on Insulin twicedaily ( premixed insulin) there is no great value in continuing Diamicron.Insulin together with Metformin cause signiicant weight gain.

However Metformin ( Glycomet) is an excellent drug and helps to reduce insulin resistance and also helps to maintain weight. Metformin offers protection to heart and also even protection from certain types of cancers. So it is advisable to continue Metformin.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (5 days later)

In the first para you metformin helps increase the weight but in the following you say it helps maintain the weight and so I am confused.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Apologies. ..typing error

Detailed Answer:
My sincere apologies. What I meant was Diamicron together with insulin cause significant weight gain. Where as Metformin helps in weight loss( 1 -2 kilos). Once you are on twice daily Insulin, there is no great value of continuing Diamicron along with it. However Metformin should be continued.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar