Metformin 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. It works by :
Do NOT use Metformin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Metformin
you have congestive heart failure that is treated by medicine
you have a severe infection, low blood oxygen levels, kidney or liver problems, high blood ketone or acid levels (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis), or severe dehydration
you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack, or you are in shock
you are 80 years old or older and have not had a kidney function test
you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures
Contact your GP right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Metformin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Metformin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
How to use Metformin :
Use Metformin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Metformin by mouth with food.
Take Metformin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Metformin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
Continue to take Metformin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Metformin , 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.
Ask your GP any questions you may have about how to use Metformin .
Important safety information:
Dizziness may occur while you are taking Metformin . This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Metformin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you use Metformin . Talk to your GP before you drink alcohol while you use Metformin .
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Metformin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Be careful not to become dehydrated, especially during hot weather or while you are being active. Dehydration may increase the risk of Metformin 's side effects.
If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugar but can in certain circumstances. Low blood sugar may be more likely to occur if you skip a meal, exercise heavily, or drink alcohol. It may also be more likely if you take Metformin along with certain medicines for diabetes (eg, sulfonylureas, insulin). It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar.
Metformin may commonly cause stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea at the beginning of treatment. If you develop unusual or unexpected stomach problems, or if you develop stomach problems later during treatment, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of lactic acidosis.
Lab tests, including kidney function, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and blood counts, may be performed while you use Metformin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects.
Use Metformin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Low blood sugar levels may also be more difficult to recognize in the elderly.
Metformin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Metformin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Metformin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Metformin .
When used for long periods of time, Metformin may not work as well. If your blood sugar has been under control and then becomes hard to manage, contact your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.
Possible side effects of Metformin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; wind; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach upset; temporary metallic taste; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or discomfort; dizziness or lightheadedness; fast or difficult breathing; feeling of being unusually cold; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; general feeling of being unwell; muscle pain or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual drowsiness; unusual or persistent stomach pain or discomfort; unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your GP.
Proper storage of Metformin :
Store Metformin at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Metformin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
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. It works by :
Do NOT use Metformin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Metformin
you have congestive heart failure that is treated by medicine
you have a severe infection, low blood oxygen levels, kidney or liver problems, high blood ketone or acid levels (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis), or severe dehydration
you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack, or you are in shock
you are 80 years old or older and have not had a kidney function test
you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures
Contact your GP right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Metformin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Metformin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
How to use Metformin :
Use Metformin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Metformin by mouth with food.
Take Metformin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Metformin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
Continue to take Metformin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Metformin , 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.
Ask your GP any questions you may have about how to use Metformin .
Important safety information:
Dizziness may occur while you are taking Metformin . This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Metformin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you use Metformin . Talk to your GP before you drink alcohol while you use Metformin .
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Metformin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Be careful not to become dehydrated, especially during hot weather or while you are being active. Dehydration may increase the risk of Metformin 's side effects.
If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugar but can in certain circumstances. Low blood sugar may be more likely to occur if you skip a meal, exercise heavily, or drink alcohol. It may also be more likely if you take Metformin along with certain medicines for diabetes (eg, sulfonylureas, insulin). It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar.
Metformin may commonly cause stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea at the beginning of treatment. If you develop unusual or unexpected stomach problems, or if you develop stomach problems later during treatment, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of lactic acidosis.
Lab tests, including kidney function, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and blood counts, may be performed while you use Metformin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects.
Use Metformin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Low blood sugar levels may also be more difficult to recognize in the elderly.
Metformin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Metformin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Metformin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Metformin .
When used for long periods of time, Metformin may not work as well. If your blood sugar has been under control and then becomes hard to manage, contact your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.
Possible side effects of Metformin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; wind; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach upset; temporary metallic taste; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or discomfort; dizziness or lightheadedness; fast or difficult breathing; feeling of being unusually cold; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; general feeling of being unwell; muscle pain or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual drowsiness; unusual or persistent stomach pain or discomfort; unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your GP.
Proper storage of Metformin :
Store Metformin at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Metformin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
