|
Glucophage / Metformin - Diabetes Prescription Medication
Why is Glucophage / Metformin prescribed?
Glucophage / Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) . Glucophage / Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Glucophage / Metformin also increases your body's response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucophage / Metformin is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood).
How should Glucophage / Metformin be used?
Glucophage / Metformin comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken with meals two or three times a day. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily with the evening meal. To help you remember to take Glucophage / Metformin, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Glucophage / Metformin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow Glucophage / Metformin extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Glucophage / Metformin and gradually increase your dose not more often than once every 1-2 weeks. You will need to monitor your blood sugar carefully so your doctor will be able to tell how well Glucophage / Metformin is working.
Glucophage / Metformin controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take metformin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Glucophage / Metformin without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for Glucophage / Metformin:
Glucophage / Metformin may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow while using Glucophage / Metformin?
Before taking Glucophage / Metformin:
-
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Glucophage / Metformin or any other medications.
-
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic); antihistamines; beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Lexxel, Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); cimetidine (Tagamet); digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); furosemide (Lasix); hormone replacement therapy; insulin or other medications for diabetes; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for asthma and colds; medications for mental illness and nausea such as fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), thioridazine (Mellaril), thiothixene (Navane), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and triflupromazine (Vesprin); medications for thyroid disease; morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol, others); nicotinic acid; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); procainamide (Procanbid); quinidine (Quinidex); quinine; ranitidine (Zantac); triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide, others); or trimethoprim (Proloprim, Trimpex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
-
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition, especially those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section.
-
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Glucophage / Metformin, call your doctor.
-
if you are using the extended release tablets, you should know that sometimes the tablet shell may appear in your stool. If this occurs, it is not harmful and will not affect the way the medication works.
-
tell your doctor if you eat less or exercise more than usual. This can affect your blood sugar. Your doctor will give you instructions if this happens.
What special dietary instructions should I follow while using Glucophage / Metformin?
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose of Glucophage / Metformin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can Glucophage / Metformin cause?
Glucophage / Metformin may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while you are taking this medication. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:
-
shakiness
-
dizziness or lightheadedness
-
sweating
-
nervousness or irritability
-
sudden changes in behavior or mood
-
headache
-
numbness or tingling around the mouth
-
weakness
-
pale skin
-
hunger
-
clumsy or jerky movements
If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.
-
confusion
-
seizures
-
loss of consciousness
Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):
-
extreme thirst
-
frequent urination
-
extreme hunger
-
weakness
-
blurred vision
If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
Glucophage / Metformin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe, do not go away, go away and come back, or do not begin for some time after you begin taking Glucophage / Metformin:
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Some female laboratory animals given high doses of metformin developed non-cancerous polyps (abnormal growths of tissue) in the uterus (womb). It is not known if metformin increases the risk of polyps in humans. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Glucophage / Metformin.
Metformin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for Glucophage / Metformin?
Keep Glucophage / Metformin in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
What other information should I know about Glucophage / Metformin?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should be checked regularly to determine your response to metformin. Your doctor may order other lab tests to check your response to metformin. Your doctor will also tell you how to check your response to this medication by measuring your blood or urine sugar levels at home. Follow these instructions carefully.
You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies
|
