Drug Name

Glucophage (Metformin)

Drug Uses

Metformin is used for treating type II diabetes in adults as well as children. It may be used alone or in combination with other diabetic medications. Metformin as well as has been used to halt the development of diabetes in people at risk for diabetes as well as to treat polycystic ovaries.

How Taken

For adults, metformin is usually started at the dose of 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg daily. The dose is gradually increased by 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every two weeks as tolerated as well as based on the response of the levels of glucose in the blood. The maximum daily dose is 2550 mg, given in three divided doses. Incase Glucophage XR tablets are used, the starting dose is 500 mg daily with the evening meal. The dose can be increased by 500 mg weekly up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg once daily or in two divided doses. Glumetza tablets are given once daily. Metformin should be used with meals.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Metformin is an oral medication that lowers blood glucose (sugar) as well as is used for treating type II diabetes. Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas that lowers glucose levels in blood by reducing the amount of glucose, made by the liver as well as by increasing the removal of glucose from the blood by muscle as well as overweight tissues. Diabetes results because of reduced production of insulin as well as reduced uptake (and effects) of insulin on the body's tissues. Metformin acts by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, overweight, as well as other tissues to the uptake as well as effects of insulin. These actions lower the level of sugar in the blood. Unlike glucose-lowering drugs of the sulfonylurea class, e.g. glyburide (Micronase; Diabeta) or glipizide (Glucotrol), metformin does not increase the concentration of insulin in the blood as well as, therefore, does not cause excessively abridged blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) when used alone. In scientific studies, metformin reduced the complications of diabetes such as heart disease, blindness as well as kidney disease. Metformin was approved by the FDA in December of 1994.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But, incase it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Warnings/Precautions

Avoid excessive alcohol intake while using metformin. Together, alcohol as well as metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis as well as hypoglycemia. Follow diet, medication, as well as exercise routines closely. Changing any of these things can affect blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor or other health care provider that you are using this medication incase you need to possess surgery or x-ray procedures that require injection of contrast agents. Treatment with metformin may need to be stopped for a abridged period of time. Do not take any over-the-counter cough, chilly, allergy, pain, or weight-loss medications without earliest talking to your doctor. Some conditions may increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis while using metformin. Tell your doctor that you are using metformin incase you become ill; incase you possess a heart attack; possess a stroke; develop congestive heart failure; experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration from any cause; decrease in the amount of food or liquid in your common diet, or develop other health conditions. You may need to halt treatment with metformin for a abridged amount of time until you are feeling better. Cimetidine (Tagamet), by decreasing the elimination of metformin from the body, can increase the amount of metformin in the blood by 40%. This may increase the frequency of side effects from metformin. There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Most experts agree that insulin is the best treatment for pregnant women with diabetes. Metformin is excreted into breast milk as well as can, therefore, be transferred to the nursing infant. Nursing mothers should not take metformin.

Likely Side Effects

The most ordinary side effects with metformin are nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea as well as loss of appetite. These symptoms occur in one out of every three patients. These side effects may be very bad enough to cause the therapy to be discontinued in one out of every 20 patients. These side effects are related to the dose of the medication as well as may decrease incase the dose is reduced.A serious-though rare-side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs in one out of every 30,000 patients as well as is fatal in 50% of cases. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are weakness, trouble breathing, abnormal heartbeats, unusual muscle pain, stomach discomfort, light-headedness as well as feeling chilly. Patients at risk for lactic acidosis include those with the reduced function of the kidneys or liver, congestive heart failure, very bad acute illnesses, as well as dehydration.

More Information

Halt using metformin as well as seek emergency health examination attention incase you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty in breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).A tiny number of people who possess used metformin possess developed a humorless condition, called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not working properly. Liver problems may as well as increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis. Halt using metformin as well as consult your doctor immediately incase you experience a feeling of common discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start of therapy with metformin); or the unexpected development of a unhurried or irregular heartbeat. These may be signs of lactic acidosis.Metformin does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Nevertheless, hypoglycemia may occur in the treatment of diabetes, as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption. Know the signs as well as symptoms of abridged blood sugar, which include hunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, a quick heartbeat, sweating, tremor, as well as nausea. Carry a non-dietetic candy or glucose tablets to treat episodes of abridged blood sugar.Other, less humorless side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take metformin as well as talk to your doctor incase you experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea at the start of therapy; abdominal bloating or increased gas production; or decreased appetite or changes in taste (metallic taste in your mouth).Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.