ravi udawat MBBS , General Physician

Okamet should be taken with food to reduce stomach and bowel side effects, which may experience the first few weeks of treatment. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dr. Mayank Yadav MBBS , General Physician

Yes, Okamet commonly cause stomach upset like diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. To avoid these side effects you should take Okamet with your meal and increase the dose gradually.

Dr. Manoj Meena MBBS , General Physician

Lactic acidosis associated with Okamet treatment is a rare but fatal adverse effect. Lactic acidosis appears to result from biguanide interference causing an increase in production and decrease in clearance of lactate leading to higher cellular lactate levels. A decrease in pyruvate carboxylase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme in the formation of glucose from lactate, can also decrease hepatic metabolism of lactate. leading to increasing lactic acidosis. Signs and symptoms of Okamet induced lactic acidosis are nonspecific and include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, altered level of consciousness, hyperpnoea, abdominal pain, and thirst. 

Dr. Ramraj MBBS , Other

Yes, Okamet can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). However, this can also occur if you delay or miss a meal, drink alcohol, exercise more than usual, can't eat due to stomach upset, and taking other antidiabetic medicine with metformin. So, regular monitoring of blood glucose level is needed and be cautious of symptoms of hypoglycemia, always keep glucose-rich food with you. 

Dr. Vedprakash Verma MBBS, MD , Cardiology

Yes, Okamet is safe to use, many people have side effects at first, they usually diminish and then go away completely in a few weeks. A few people find they cannot tolerate metformin, there are other drugs but metformin is usually the first choice. It is very safe