General Info: Uses and Effects

Glucophage Generic (Metformin) belongs to a class of antidiabetic drugs, known as biguanides, which are used to control high blood sugar levels. It is used in the patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Glucophage Metformin is an immediate release drug that acts by three mechanisms. Firstly, it decreases glucose production in the liver; secondly, it decreases absorption of glucose from the intestine; and thirdly, it improves the insulin sensitivity of peripheral tissue. Hence, it improves the uptake and utilization of glucose in peripheral tissue. By these means, the drug helps in keeping blood glucose within a normal range which in turn prevents an individual from the complication of diabetes like chronic kidney disease, blindness, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and erectile dysfunction.

For best effects, this medication should be used as an adjunct to physical exercise, diet, and lifestyle modification. Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus will eventually need to take insulin.

Glucophage is not helpful in type 1 diabetes because in this type of diabetes there is a defect in the production of insulin.

Contraindication: Important to Know

Glucophage Metformin is contraindicated in following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity to Metformin;
• Renal disease;
• Metabolic acidosis like diabetic ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis;
• Temporary for 2-3 days in patients undergoing radiologic iodine contrast studies, and procedures involving general anesthesia. Reinitiate after checking renal function.

So, please make sure to inform your doctor if you have any of the above-mentioned conditions.

Although Glucophage is considered safe in pregnancy and lactation, you should inform your health care provider if you're pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or nursing a baby. In these conditions, Metformin should be consumed only when known benefit exceeds unknown risks.

Instructions on Taking

Follow all the instructions of your physician and take Glucophage Metformin in accordance with his/her prescription. This implies not taking this medication at any cost in any other way than instructed by your doctor. Do not take either smaller or larger dosage of the medicine. Your health care provider may occasionally change your dosage, depending upon your sugar levels and acceptability of the drug.

Take Glucophage orally with a meal due to your doctor's prescription. Take this medicine regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It should be taken at the same times each day.

You need to check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. The results of which to be shared with him/her to titrate the dose.

If you are already taking another antidiabetic drug (insulin or any others) and are switching to Glucophage, then this transition should be exactly as instructed by your doctor and glucose levels should be closely communicated to the physician.

Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 along with this medicine. So, please take it in the prescribed amount as well.

The medicine must be stored at room temperature and away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep it away from the reach of children.

Dosage

There is no fixed dosage regimen for Glucophage Metformin. The dosage must be individualized on the basis of effectiveness and tolerance in an individual. The maximum recommended daily dose of Glucophage is 2550mg in adults and 2000mg in children between 10-16 years.

Recommended Dosage Schedule:

Adults

Generally, Glucophage Metformin is started with a dose of 500mg twice a day or 850mg once a day. If there is a need to increase the dosage, then it should be done in stepwise manner as 500mg per week or 850mg per fortnight. The maximum permissible dose is 2550mg per day. For better tolerance of higher doses (more than 2000 grams), more frequent intake with meals is recommended.

Children (10-16 years)

Generally, Glucophage Metformin is started with a dose of 500mg twice a day. If there is a need to increase the dosage, then it should be done in stepwise manner as 500mg per week. The maximum permissible dose is 2000mg per day. Larger doses are better tolerated if they are given thrice a day and with meals.

Glucophage is not recommended for use in children under the age of 10 years.

Side Effects

The usual side effects of taking Glucophage Metformin are:

• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Gastric upset;
• Metallic taste;
• Weakness/Fatigue;
• Hypoglycemia;
• Weight loss;
• Cough;
• Hoarseness;
• Headache;
• Rhinitis.

The most frequent adverse reaction is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It can happen to anyone who is being treated for diabetes. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are headaches, nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating, anxiety, palpitation, confusion, or irritably. Night-time hypoglycemia can also occur and you may experience damp sheets due to excessive sweating, nightmares, irritability, or confusion upon waking. If you have one or multiple of these symptoms, then quickly consume fruit juice, crackers, raisin, chocolates, and hard candy.

If symptoms are severe, then you can lose consciousness. In such conditions, you shouldn't be given liquids or food, as these can cause choking, rather you should be given injection glucagon. Make sure your family and friends know when and how to give this injection in an emergency. If this injection is not available, then you must be taken to emergency.

Report to your doctor about these hypoglycemia episodes.

Interaction with Other Drugs

More than 700 drugs are known to have interaction with Glucophage Metformin. The drug interactions may change the effect of medication or may lead to serious adverse effects. Here there are some important (not all) commonly prescribed medicines, which interact with Glucophage. Please contact your physician before start/stop or change in dose of any of these drugs. Keep a list of all the medications used by you and share it with your doctor before starting Glucophage Metformin.

• Amiloride (Midamor);
• Amlodipine (Norvasc);
• Aspirin;
• Atenolol (Tenormin);
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor);
• Cimetidine (Tagamet);
• Clopidogrel (Plavix);
• Digoxin (Lanoxin);
• Diltiazem (Diltzac);
• Furosemide (Lasix);
• Insulin (Lantus, Glargine);
• Isoniazid (Laniazid);
• Labetalol (Trandate);
• Levothyroxine (Synthyroid);
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol);
• Metoprolol (Lopressor);
• Nadolol (Corgard);
• Nicardipine (Cardene);
• Nifedipine (Adalat);
• Nimodipine (Nymalize);
• Nisoldipine (Sular);
• Phenytoin (Dilantin);
• Prednisone (Rayos);
• Propranolol (Inderal);
• Ranitidine (Zantac);
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor);
• Simvastatin (Zocor);
• Verapamil (Calan).