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Glumetza Side Effects

Glumetza is a prescription medication used to lower blood sugar levels of patients who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Despite its effectiveness, Glumetza poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

  1. Most Common Side Effects

    • Approximately 13 percent of patients who take Glumetza develop hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, making it the most common side effect of the drug, according to RxList. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include confusion, double or blurred vision, heart palpitations, shaking, anxiety, sweating and hunger.

    Types of Other Side Effects

    • Other possible side effects of Glumetza include diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain, weakness, chest pain, increased incidences of seasonal allergies and fungal infections, muscle pain or cramping, dizziness, shaking, headaches and increased blood pressure.

    Drug Interactions

    • The heart medication digoxin, narcotic pain reliever morphine, the antimalarial medication quinine and the blood pressure drug trimethoprim, increase concentrations of Glumetza in your blood stream, causing a greater risk for side effects, reports RxList.

    Risks

    • Glumetza causes lactic acidosis or an increase in blood acidity in some patients. According to RxList, lactic acidosis is fatal in approximately half of the people who develop the condition.

    Considerations

    • If you develop dehydration or a skin infection known as sepsis, it is important to discontinue use of Glumetza as this increases your risk of developing lactic acidosis. Patients with a history of kidney disease, congestive heart failure, liver disease or disorders affecting the pituitary, adrenal or thyroid glands are at an increased risk for side effects while taking Glumetza reports, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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