Generic Name: metformin (Oral route)
met-FOR-min hye-droe-KLOR-ide
Oral route(Tablet;Tablet, Extended Release;Solution)
Fortamet(R), Glucophage(R), Glucophage XR(R), Riomet(R): Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, metabolic complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment with metformin hydrochloride; when it occurs, it is fatal in approximately 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis may also occur in association with pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetes mellitus, characterized by significant tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxemia. The risk of lactic acidosis increases with renal impairment, increased age, congestive heart failure, and hepatic insufficiency. Treatment with metformin should not be initiated in patients 80 years old or older, unless measurement of creatinine clearance demonstrates that renal function is normal. Therapy should temporarily be discontinued prior to any intravascular radiocontrast study or surgical procedure. Excessive alcohol use should be avoided, because alcohol potentiates the effects of metformin on lactate metabolism. Discontinue therapy immediately and institute supportive measures promptly for suspected lactic acidosis .
Oral route(Tablet, Extended Release)
Glumetza(R): Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation. The risk of lactic acidosis increases with renal or hepatic impairment, acute congestive heart failure, sepsis, dehydration, and excess alcohol intake. Onset may be subtle and include nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgia, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal distress; laboratory abnormalities include low pH, increased anion gap and elevated blood lactate. If lactic acidosis is suspected, Glumetza(R) should be discontinued and the patient immediately hospitalized .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Fortamet
- Glucophage
- Glucophage XR
- Glumetza
- Riomet
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Tablet, Extended Release
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Hypoglycemic
Chemical Class: Metformin
Uses For Glucophage
Metformin is used to treat high blood sugar levels that are caused by a type of diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes called type 2 diabetes. With this type of diabetes, insulin produced by the pancreas is not able to get sugar into the cells of the body where it can work properly. Using metformin alone, with a type of oral antidiabetic medicine called a sulfonylurea, or with insulin, will help to lower blood sugar when it is too high and help restore the way you use food to make energy.
Many people can control type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise. Following a specially planned diet and exercise will always be important when you have diabetes, even when you are taking medicines. To work properly, the amount of metformin you take must be balanced against the amount and type of food you eat and the amount of exercise you do. If you change your diet or exercise, you will want to test your blood sugar to find out if it is too low. Your doctor will teach you what to do if this happens.
Metformin does not help patients does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes because they cannot produce insulin from their pancreas gland. Their blood glucose is best controlled by insulin injections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, metformin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
Before Using Glucophage
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of metformin oral solution and tablets in children 10 to 16 years of age. However, safety and efficacy of metformin extended-release tablets in the pediatric population have not been established.
Geriatric
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of metformin have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific problems are not expected to limit the usefulness of metformin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving metformin. This medicine is not recommended in patients 80 years of age and older who have kidney problems.
Pregnancy
|
Pregnancy Category |
Explanation |
|---|
| All Trimesters |
B |
Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. |
Breast Feeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Acetrizoic Acid
- Diatrizoate
- Ethiodized Oil
- Iobenzamic Acid
- Iobitridol
- Iocarmic Acid
- Iocetamic Acid
- Iodamide
- Iodipamide
- Iodixanol
- Iodohippuric Acid
- Iodopyracet
- Iodoxamic Acid
- Ioglicic Acid
- Ioglycamic Acid
- Iohexol
- Iomeprol
- Iopamidol
- Iopanoic Acid
- Iopentol
- Iophendylate
- Iopromide
- Iopronic Acid
- Ioseric Acid
- Iosimide
- Iotasul
- Iothalamate
- Iotrolan
- Iotroxic Acid
- Ioversol
- Ioxaglate
- Ioxitalamic Acid
- Ipodate
- Metrizamide
- Metrizoic Acid
- Tyropanoate Sodium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acetazolamide
- Alatrofloxacin
- Balofloxacin
- Cimetidine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clinafloxacin
- Dichlorphenamide
- Dofetilide
- Enoxacin
- Fleroxacin
- Flumequine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Grepafloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Moxifloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Prulifloxacin
- Rufloxacin
- Sparfloxacin
- Temafloxacin
- Topiramate
- Tosufloxacin
- Trovafloxacin Mesylate
- Zonisamide
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Alprenolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bitter Melon
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Cephalexin
- Clorgyline
- Dilevalol
- Enalaprilat
- Enalapril Maleate
- Esmolol
- Fenugreek
- Glucomannan
- Guar Gum
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Mepindolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Moclobemide
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Nialamide
- Oxprenolol
- Pargyline
- Penbutolol
- Phenelzine
- Pindolol
- Procarbazine
- Propranolol
- Psyllium
- Rifampin
- Selegiline
- Sotalol
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Timolol
- Toloxatone
- Tranylcypromine
- Trospium
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol, excessive use or
- Underactive adrenal glands or
- Underactive pituitary gland or
- Undernourished condition or
- Weakened physical condition or
- Any other condition that causes low blood sugar—Patients with these conditions may be more likely to develop low blood sugar while taking metformin.
- Anemia (low levels of red blood cells) or
- Vitamin B12 deficiency—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Congestive heart failure, acute or unstable or
- Dehydration or
- Heart attack, acute or
- Hypoxemia (decreased oxygen in the blood) or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Sepsis (blood poisoning) or
- Shock (low blood pressure, blood circulation is poor)—A rare condition called lactic acidosis can occur. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (ketones in the blood) or
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Metabolic acidosis (extra acids in the blood) or
- Type 1 diabetes—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Fever or
- Infection or
- Surgery or
- Trauma—These conditions may cause temporary problems with blood sugar control and your doctor may want to treat you with insulin.
Proper Use of metformin
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain metformin. It may not be specific to Glucophage. Please read with care.
This medicine usually comes with a patient information insert. Read the information carefully and make sure you understand it before taking this medicine. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Carefully follow the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is a very important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.
Metformin should be taken with meals to help reduce stomach or bowel side effects that may occur during the first few weeks of treatment.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
While taking the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.
You may notice improvement in your blood glucose control in 1 to 2 weeks, but the full effect of blood glucose control may take up to 2 to 3 months. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For type 2 diabetes:
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- Adults—
- Metformin alone (Fortamet®): At first, 1000 milligrams (mg) once a day taken with the evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2500 mg per day.
- Metformin alone (Glucophage® XR): At first, 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day.
- Metformin alone (Glumetza®): At first, 500 mg once a day taken with the evening meal. Then, your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day.
- Metformin with a sulfonylurea: Your doctor will determine the dose of each medicine.
- Metformin with insulin: At first, 500 mg once a day. Then, your doctor may increase your dose by 500 mg every week if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2500 mg per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (solution):
- Adults—
- Metformin alone: At first, 5 milliliters (mL) two times a day, or 8.5 mL once a day with meals. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 25.5 mL per day.
- Metformin with a sulfonylurea: Your doctor will determine the dose of each medicine.
- Metformin with insulin: At first, 5 mL once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 25 mL per day.
- Children 10 to 16 years of age—At first, 5 mL two times a day with meals. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mL per day.
- Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults—
- Metformin alone: At first, 500 milligrams (mg) two times a day taken with the morning and evening meals, or 850 mg a day taken with the morning meal. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. Later, your doctor may want you to take 500 or 850 mg two to three times a day with meals. However, the dose is usually not more than 2550 mg per day.
- Metformin with a sulfonylurea: Your doctor will determine the dose of each medicine.
- Metformin with insulin: At first, 500 mg a day. Your doctor may increase your dose by 500 mg every week if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2500 mg per day.
- Children 10 to 16 years of age—At first, 500 mg two times a day taken with the morning and evening meals. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day.
- Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using Glucophage
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may interact with the dye used for an X-ray or CT scan. Your doctor should advise you to stop taking it before you have any medical exams or diagnostic tests that might cause less urine output than usual. You may be advised to start taking the medicine again 48 hours after the exams or tests if your kidney function is tested and found to be normal.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
It is very important to carefully follow any instructions from your health care team about:
- Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
- Other medicines—Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
- Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, patients with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur with lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise or diet. Counseling on birth control and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in pregnancy for patients with diabetes.
- Travel—Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
- In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal or stomach discomfort, decreased appetite; diarrhea; fast or shallow breathing; a general feeling of discomfort; severe muscle pain or cramping; and unusual sleepiness, tiredness, or weakness.
If symptoms of lactic acidosis occur, you should get immediate emergency medical help.
Metformin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). However, this can also occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, drink alcohol, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, take certain medicines, or take metformin with another type of diabetes medicine. The symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; cool, pale skin; difficulty with thinking; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache (continuing); nausea; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes; or drink fruit juice, non-diet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms such as seizures (convulsions) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe or needle, and know how to use it. The members of your household also should know how to use it.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is another problem related to uncontrolled diabetes. Symptoms of mild high blood sugar appear more slowly than those of low blood sugar. These may include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination (frequency and volume); ketones in the urine; loss of appetite; sleepiness; stomachache, nausea or vomiting; tiredness; troubled breathing (rapid and deep); unconsciousness; or unusual thirst.
High blood sugar may occur if you do not exercise as much as usual, have a fever or infection, do not take enough or skip a dose of your diabetes medicine, or overeat or do not follow your meal plan.
If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your doctor for instructions.
This medicine is only part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. It is important that you always eat a healthy diet, watch your weight, and get regular exercise.
Glucophage Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common- Abdominal or stomach discomfort
- cough or hoarseness
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- fast or shallow breathing
- fever or chills
- general feeling of discomfort
- lower back or side pain
- muscle pain or cramping
- painful or difficult urination
- sleepiness
Less common- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- chest discomfort
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- depression
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of warmth
- headache
- increased hunger
- increased sweating
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- seizures
- shakiness
- shortness of breath
- slurred speech
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- wheezing
Rare- Behavior change similar to being drunk
- difficulty with concentrating
- drowsiness
- lack or loss of strength
- restless sleep
- unusual sleepiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bloated
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- heartburn
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- metallic taste in the mouth
- passing of gas
- stomachache
- stomach upset or pain
- vomiting
- weight loss
Less common- Abnormal stools
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- difficulty with moving
- discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
- flu-like symptoms
- joint pain
- rash
- runny nose
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- swollen joints
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Glucophage side effects (in more detail)
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
More Glucophage resources
- Glucophage Side Effects (in more detail)
- Glucophage Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Glucophage Drug Interactions
- Glucophage Support Group
- 18 Reviews for Glucophage - Add your own review/rating
- Glucophage MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Glucophage Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Glucophage Consumer Overview
- Fortamet Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Glucophage XR Extended-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Glucophage XR Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Glumetza Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Metformin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Metformin Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Riomet Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Riomet Consumer Overview
- Riomet Solution MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Glucophage with other medications
- Diabetes, Type 2
- Insulin Resistance Syndrome
