Drug Uses

Glucophage is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin.

How To Use

Use Glucophage as directed by your doctor. Take Glucophage with a meal. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids while you are taking Glucophage. Check with your doctor for instructions. For best effect it is advised to take Glucophage on a regular schedule. Taking Glucophage at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.

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.

Precautions

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.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma. An overdose of Glucophage may cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis: weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store Glucophage at 68 – 77 °F (20 –25 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Glucophage out of the reach of children.