Glucophage

Metformin (Glucophage) is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes.

Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) belongs to the class of drugs known as Biguanides and may be described as a white to off white, crystalline compound which is freely soluble in water.

Moreover, Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) may also be described as practically being unable to dissolve in Acetone, Ether and Chloroform.

Metformin (Glucophage) 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.

Metformin (Glucophage) also increases your body`s response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Metformin (Glucophage) is not used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Take Metformin (Glucophage) with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Some forms of Glucophage are taken only once daily with the evening meal. Follow your doctor`s instructions.

Metformin (Glucophage) is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Metformin (Glucophage) controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take metformin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.

Glucophage is used to control the amount of sugar in your blood. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have them.

If you have any of these symptoms, eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor immediately; symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include:

blurred vision
confusion
dizziness
fatigue
headache
numbness or tingling of the mouth
pale color
rapid heartbeat
shakiness
sudden hunger
sweating
weakness

If you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), call your doctor immediately:

dry mouth
dry skin
flushing
frequent urination
loss of appetite
thirst
tiredness
trouble breathing

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 metformin:

bloating
chest pain
constipation
cough
diarrhea
flushing of the skin
gas
headache
heartburn
muscle pain
nail changes
rash
runny nose
sneezing
stomach pain
sweating
unpleasant metallic taste in mouth
upset stomach
vomiting

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 this medication.

Sometimes, Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) may also cause chills, nausea, hives and fever.

Metformin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Glucophage may rarely cause a serious, life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack; stroke; high blood pressure; diabetic ketoacidosis ( blood sugar that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment) or coma; surgery to remove part of your small intestine; anemia (not enough red blood cells), or heart, kidney, lung, or liver disease.


Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or have taken the following medications: acyclovir (Zovirax); acetaminophen (Tylenol); aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), Kanamycin (Kantrex), Neomycin (Neo-Fradin, Neo-Rx), netilmycin (netromycin), paramomycin (Humatin), streptomycin and tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi); amphotericin B (Abelcet, Amphocin, others); angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinvil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cancer chemotherapy medications; cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); dapsone (Avlosulfon); diuretics (water pills); foscarnet (Foscavir); gold compounds such as auranofin (Ridaura), aurothioglucose (Aurolate, Solganol), and gold sodium thiomalate (Myochrysine); hydralazine (Hydra-Zide); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); methicillin (Staphcillin); nitrates; penicillin and sulfa antibiotics; penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen); primaquine; propranolol (Inderal); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); tacrolimus (Prograf); vancomycin (Vancocin); or if you have ever taken the Chinese weight-loss herb aristolochia.

Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) interacts with various medications, such as, Cimetidine, Furosemide, Cephalexin or Hydrochlorothiazide.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

* extreme tiredness
* weakness
* discomfort
* vomiting
* upset stomach
* stomach pain
* decreased appetite
* deep, rapid breathing
* shortness of breath
* dizziness
* light-headedness
* abnormally fast or slow heartbeat
* flushing of the skin
* muscle pain
* feeling cold

It is important for the patient to know that before consuming Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from Adrenal gland problems, severe dehydration or severe asthma.

Moreover, it is also important for the patient to know that before consuming Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from ovulation problems, Pituitary gland problems or obstructive lung diseases.

While currently on a course of Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) the patient must avoid using injectable iodinated contrast material while undergoing surgery or any X – ray.

If you conceive whilst on a course with this medication inform your doctor immediately.

If you need to undergo any kind of surgery, inform your doctor you are taking this medicine.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to conceive.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Moreover, Glucophage (Metformin Hydrochloride) is also used to help treat and prevent blindness, blood circulation problems and decreased sexual abilities. Consult your health care professional for more information.

Store it at room temperature and away from light excess heat and moisture.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: extreme tiredness, weakness, or discomfort; upset stomach; vomiting; stomach pain; decreased appetite; deep and rapid breathing or shortness of breath; dizziness; light-headedness; fast or slow heartbeat; flushing of the skin; muscle pain; or feeling cold.

Tell your doctor if you regularly drink alcohol or sometimes drink large amounts of alcohol in a short time (binge drinking). Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing lactic acidosis. Ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe to drink while you are taking metformin.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body`s response to metformin. Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of taking metformin.