Metformin Tablets

• Reduces amount of glucose in body by inhibiting its production.
• Reduces amount of glucose by delaying absorption.
• Increases sensitivity of insulin to glucose increasing its uptake and utilisation.

When and how do I take it?

• Usually taken two or three times a day during or after meals.

What’s the dose?

• The usual starting dose is one tablet 2 or 3 times daily given during or after meals.
• After 10 to 15 days the dose should be adjusted on the basis of blood glucose measurements. A slow increase of dose may improve tolerability. In patients receiving a high Glucophage dose (2 to 3 grams per day), it is possible to replace two Glucophage 500 mg film-coated tablets with one Glucophage 1000 mg film-coated tablet. The maximum recommended dose of metformin hydrochloride is 3 g daily, taken as 3 divided doses.
• In children (over 10) the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg Glucophage once daily, given during meals or after meals.
• After 10 to 15 days the dose should be adjusted on the basis of blood glucose measurements. A slow increase of dose may improve tolerability.
• The maximum recommended dose of Glucophage is 2 g daily, taken as 2 or 3 divided doses.

Could they interact with other tablets?

The following medicines may interact with Metformin hydrochloride:

• insulin
• repaglinide

The following types of medicine may interact with Metformin hydrochloride:

• ACE inhibitors
• antihypertensives
• beta-agonists
• diuretics
• glucocorticosteroids
• iodinated contrast media
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• sulphonylureas

If you are taking Metformin hydrochloride and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

Herbal supplements should be used with caution and only after informing your doctor first.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Common side effects include:

• gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• stomach pain or loss of appetite, (these problems may be prevented by taking Glucophage during or after a meal)
• taste changes

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• You cannot drink alcohol while taking Glucophage.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

To date, no data are available. When the patient plans to become pregnant and during pregnancy, diabetes should not be treated with Glucophage but insulin should be used to maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible in order to lower the risk of fetal malformations associated with abnormal blood glucose levels.
A decision should be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Glucophage, taking into account the importance of the medicinal product to the mother.

If you have any further questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://www.drugs.com/glucophage.html

http://www.rxlist.com/glucophage-side-effects-drug-center.htm

http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/1043/SPC

http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_glucophage.pdf

http://www.medicinenet.com/metformin/article.htm

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/medications/glucophage-oral-11294/uses/