Glucophage

metformin hydrochloride

Glucophage - Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. Metformin is for people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Metformin is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

What is Glucophage?

Glucophage is a biguanide antidiabetic. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver produces and the intestines absorb. It also helps to make your body more sensitive to the insulin that you naturally produce.

Before taking Glucophage

Some medical conditions may interact with Glucophage . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), lung or breathing problems, thyroid problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, paralysis, blockage), adrenal or pituitary problems, or lactic acidosis
• if you have vomiting, diarrhea, poor health or nutrition, low blood calcium or vitamin B12 levels, or anemia, or if you are dehydrated
• if you have an infection, fever, recent injury, or moderate to severe burns
• if you drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures
• if you take a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol)

How should I take Glucophage?

Use Glucophage as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Glucophage. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Glucophage by mouth with food.
• Take Glucophage on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Glucophage at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to take Glucophage even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Glucophage , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Glucophage side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling or rapid weight gain; or
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache or muscle pain;
• weakness; or
• mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain.

Precautions

Dizziness may occur while you are taking Glucophage . This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Glucophage with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Drug interactions

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amiloride, cimetidine, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, triamterene, trimethoprim, or vancomycin because they may increase the risk of Glucophage 's side effects
• Calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogen, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), insulin, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased

Preganacy

Metformin is in pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether metformin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take metformin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Metformin should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old. Extended-release metformin (Glucophage XR) should not be given to a child younger than 17 years old.

Overdose

Contact your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness or lightheadedness; fast or difficult breathing; feeling of being unusually cold; general feeling of being unwell; muscle pain or tenderness; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual drowsiness; unusual stomach discomfort; unusual weakness or tiredness.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Glucophage. If you have any other questions about Glucophage, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.