|
Common uses
This medicine is a
biguanide-type medicine used along with a diet and exercise program
to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. This
medicine works by helping restore your body's proper response to the
insulin you naturally produce, and by decreasing the amount of sugar
that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb.
Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes,
kidney disease, blindness, circulation problems, and sexual function
problems. This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as
determined by your doctor.
Before using
WARNING: Metformin may
rarely cause a condition called lactic acidosis, which is sometimes
fatal. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any symptoms
of lactic acidosis including unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness,
cold skin, muscle pain, breathing trouble or rapid breathing, or
unusually slow or irregular heartbeat. Lactic acidosis is more likely
to occur in patients who have heart failure, kidney or liver problems,
excessive alcohol use, a lack of body fluids or dehydration, x-ray or
scanning procedures that require an injectable iodinated contrast
drug, surgery, a serious infection, heart attack, or stroke. Also at
higher risk are the elderly, especially if over 80 years of age and
have not had kidney and liver tests. Discuss the benefits and risks
of using this medicine with your doctor.
Additional monitoring
of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other
diabetes medicines such as glyburide or insulin, or cimetidine.
Certain medicines may make your diabetes more difficult to control by
affecting blood sugar. Report any medicines to your doctor that may
affect your blood sugar including, "water pills" (diuretics such as
hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide); birth control pills; estrogens;
corticosteroids such as prednisone; niacin; phenytoin; decongestants;
high blood pressure medicines including beta-blockers such as
propranolol; calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine;
ace-inhibitors such as captopril; phenothiazines such as
chlorpromazine; isoniazid; thyroid medicines; clomiphene; fenugreek;
or ginseng.
Use of this medicine
is not recommended if you have a history of kidney disease, liver
disease, congestive heart failure, heart failure, lactic acidosis,
metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, recent heart attack,
recent stroke, serious infection, or dehydration. Inform your doctor
of any other medical conditions including burns, heart or lung
problems, recent trauma, blood problems (anemia, vitamin B-12
deficiency), scheduled upcoming surgery, scheduled upcoming x-ray or
scanning procedures, alcohol use, any allergies, pregnancy, or
breast-feeding. If you are scheduled to undergo any x-ray or scanning
procedure using injectable iodinated contrast material, be sure to
inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine. You will need
to temporarily stop this medicine around the time of your procedure.
Consult your doctor for further instructions. Do not start or stop
any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Directions
Take this medicine
with food. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine.
Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any
doses. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.
This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Read it
carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that
you may have about this medicine.
Store this medicine at
room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat,
moisture, and light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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.
Cautions
Do not take this
medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic
to any ingredient in this product. Laboratory and/or medical tests
such as liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose,
glycosylated hemoglobin, or complete blood counts, should be done to
monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Regularly check
your blood or urine sugar as directed by your doctor. If your blood
sugars have been under control and suddenly are difficult to manage,
contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Before you have any
medical or dental treatments, emergency care, laboratory tests, or
surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
During times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery
it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your
doctor, as a change in your medicine may be required.
This medicine usually
does not cause low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, but this effect may
occur if you do not consume enough calories from food, juices, fruit,
or other sources. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include chills, cold
sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, rapid heartbeat, weakness,
headache, fainting, tingling of the hands or feet, or hunger. It is a
good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar.
If you are in a situation where you don't have these reliable forms
of glucose, eat a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey,
candy, or drink a glass of orange juice or non-diet soda to quickly
raise your blood sugar level. Tell your doctor immediately about the
reaction. To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat meals on a regular
schedule and do not skip meals. Symptoms of high blood sugar, or
hyperglycemia, include thirst, increased urination, confusion,
drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If
these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your medicine
dosage may need to be increased.
Limit alcohol intake
while using this medicine. Before you begin taking any new medicine,
either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or
pharmacist. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the
elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this
medicine. For women: this medicine can cause changes in the menstrual
cycle of women with certain fertility problems, therefore increasing
the risk of becoming pregnant. Consult your doctor or pharmacist
about the use of reliable birth control while using this medicine. If
you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits
and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if
this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while
taking this medicine.
Possible side
effects
Side effects, that may
go away during treatment, include metallic taste in mouth, nausea,
stomach upset, flatulence, and diarrhea. If they continue or are
bothersome, check with your doctor. If stomach symptoms recur after
you are on the same dose for several days or weeks, tell your doctor
immediately. A late recurrence of stomach symptoms may be due to a
serious medical condition called lactic acidosis. Contact your doctor
immediately if you experience unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness,
cold skin, muscle pain or aches, rapid breathing, or unusually slow
or irregular heartbeat. An allergic reaction to this medicine is
unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms
of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness,
or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above,
contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
If you take
too much
If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room
immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include rapid or trouble
breathing, severe drowsiness, and slow or irregular heartbeat.
Additional
information
This medicine is not a
substitute for proper diet and regular exercise. It is recommended
you attend a diabetes education program to better understand diabetes,
prevention of complications, and all the important aspects of its
treatment. These include meals/diet, exercise, weight loss, personal
hygiene, medicine and blood glucose monitoring, and the need for
regular eye, foot, and medical exams. Follow your doctor's
instructions carefully.
Do not share this
medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Keep this
medicine out of the reach of children and pets. If using this
medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your
supply runs out.
Drug
interactions
Drug interactions can
result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its
job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this
medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and
over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. |