Q: I am a 38 years old man having diabetes. I am taking Diamicron pill but my sugar is still not under control, it is high up to 300. Please advise which medicine should I take.

A:The first line of treatment for most of the patients of diabetes remains Metformin starting with 500 mg once a day and increasing it to three times a day, if no side effects like diarrhoea are seen and as long as your kidney function test is normal (creatinine is less than 1.5). This also helps to lose weight. Please discuss this with your doctor. Side effects of this medicine include nausea and some risk of diarrhoea. It is a very safe drug for long-term use. You can continue with Diamicron and dose of Diamicron can be uptitrated.