- GLUCOPHAGE (metformin)
- The best in the world at the best price!
Glucophage treats type 2 diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes).
Brand Name(s): Glucophage®. Generic: Metomin®.
WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS MEDICINE
You should not use this medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to metformin, if you have kidney disease, or if you have diabetic
ketoacidosis. You should not use this medicine if you are also taking medicine for
congestive heart failure (CHF).
HOW TO USE AND STORE THIS MEDICINE
Tablets:
- Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
- Take your medicine with food to avoid stomach upset.
- Store the tablets at room temperature, away from heat,
moisture, and direct light.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
If you miss a dose:
- Take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is almost
time for your next dose.
- Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next
regular dose.
- You should not use two doses at the same time.
DRUGS AND FOODS TO AVOID
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other
medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking metformin.
- Make sure your doctor knows about other medicines you are
taking for diabetes, especially Diabinese®.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking
Tagamet®, diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide, Lasix® or Dyazide®, heart
medicines such as Procardia® or Cardizem®, beta-blocker medicines such as Inderal® or
Lopressor®, any cough, cold, or hay fever medicines, estrogens, birth control pills,
steroids such as prednisone, phenothiazines such as Mellaril® or Thorazine®, thyroid
medicine, Dilantin®, isoniazid, or nicotinic acid (Niacor® or Nicobid®).
WARNINGS
- Talk with your doctor before taking metformin if you have
liver disease, heart disease, or an adrenal or pituitary gland disorder.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or
breastfeeding.
- To control your diabetes, follow the diet that your doctor
ordered, exercise, and take this medicine on a regular schedule. Be sure to test your
blood sugar level as directed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist you are taking metformin before
you have any kind of surgery.
- If you have any type of test that involves the use of a dye
or contrast agent being put into your body (such as an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI), you may
need to stop taking metformin for a few days. Taking metformin with certain kinds of
contrast agents can cause serious side effects. Get instructions from your doctor on what
to do in your specific situation. Be sure to tell the person doing the test that you are
taking this medicine.
- You may have low blood sugar if you are also taking other
medicines for diabetes. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, shaking, weakness,
anxiety, drowsiness, feeling very hungry, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, confusion, or a
headache that won't go away.
- Ask your doctor what you should do in case you have low
blood sugar. You may need to eat or drink something that has sugar in it right away
(glucose tablets, fruit juice, or sugar dissolved in water).
- You are more likely to have low blood sugar if you miss a
meal, exercise for a long time, or drink alcohol.
- A very rare, but serious, side effect of metformin is called
lactic acidosis. It is caused by too much lactic acid in the blood and is more likely to
happen to patients who have kidney disease.
- Signs of lactic acidosis include unusual muscle pain,
trouble breathing, stomach pain, slow or unsteady heartbeat, or feeling tired, weak,
dizzy, or unusually cold. If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor right away.
- Your doctor may want to do laboratory tests sometimes to
monitor how your body is reacting to this medicine. These may include blood and kidney
tests. These tests are important, so do your best to have them done when scheduled.
- If you get sick, your dose of metformin may need to be
changed temporarily. Call your doctor for instructions, especially if you have severe
vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever.
SIDE EFFECTS
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side
effects:
- Abdominal discomfort, nausea, or decreased appetite
- Dry, hot skin and extreme thirst
- Extreme change in how often you urinate or the amount of
urine
- Fast, shallow breathing or shortness of breath
- General feeling of discomfort
- Muscle pain or cramping
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, or sleepiness
If you have problems with these less serious side effects,
tell your doctor.
- Gas
- Metallic taste in your mouth
- Nausea, upset stomach, or mild diarrhea
IF YOU HAVE OTHER SIDE EFFECTS THAT YOU THINK ARE CAUSED
BY THIS MEDICINE, TELL YOUR DOCTOR.
