METFORMIN (Glucophage) is used for treating type 2 diabetes. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.
Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver produces and the intestines absorb. It also helps to make your body more sensitive to the insulin that you naturally produce.
Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic.Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It decreases the amount of sugar that the liver produces and the intestines absorb. It also helps to make your body more sensitive to the insulin that you naturally produce.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you:
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
you drink alcohol or alcohol-containing beverages frequently
you are allergic to Metformin, any other medicine, foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances
you easily become dehydrated
you are undergoing surgery or certain x-ray procedures with injectable contrast agents
you have recently had a heart attack
you have thyroid disease
you have liver or kidney disease
you have hormone changes or problems
you have polycystic ovaries
you have seriuos infection or injury
How to use:
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions
Advert to Medication Guide if necessary
Take your doses at regular intervals
If you miss a dose, take it with the next meal
Avoid taking double or extra doses
Safety issues:
Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress
Do not skip meals
Regularly check your blood sugar
Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you have serious symptoms of blood sugar
Medications that may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar:
water pills (diuretics)
thyroid hormones
alcohol containing beverages
ACE inhibitors
tegaserod
tacrolimus
antiretroviral protease inhibitors
sulfanomides, medicines for infection
aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
steroid medicines
baclofen
some herbal dietary supplement
beta-blockers
quinolone antibiotics
certain medicines used for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances
phenytoin
chromium
pentamidine
cisapride
clonidine
pentamidine
cyclosporine
octreotide
diazoxide
disopyramide
epinephrine
female hormones, such as birth control pills
nicotine
fibric acid derivatives
niacin
glucagon
medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
growth hormone (somatropin)
guanethidine
medications to suppress appetite or for weight loss
male hormones or anabolic steroids
lithium
isoniazid
metoclopramide
Possible side effects:
If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately:
unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
unusual stomach pain or discomfort
dizziness
slow or irregular heartbeat
severe vomiting or diarrhea
muscle aches or pain
passing out or fainting
loss of consciousness
anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating
rapid heartbeat
shallow breathing
hunger
pale skin
nausea
fatigue
sweating
headache
palpitations
rapid heartbeat
irritability
uncontrolled yawning
numbeness of the mouth
tingling in the fingers
tremors
muscle weakness
blurred vision
cold sensations
flushed dry-skin
fruit-like breath odor
loss of appetite
nausea
unusual thirst
frequent passing of urine
stomach ache
These side effects usually don't require medical attention (but you should contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
weight loss
decreased appetite
nausea
mild stomachache
gas
heartburn
metallic taste in the mouth
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
