Glucophage
Glucophage (metformin) is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes by helping to lower blood sugar levels, especially for overweight patients when diet and exercise aren't enough.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg, 2 to 3 times a day. For children and adolescents over 10 years, the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg, once a day.
Method
Take Glucophage with or after meals to avoid stomach problems. Swallow tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew. If taking once a day, take with breakfast. If taking twice a day, take with breakfast and dinner. If taking three times a day, take with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 3000 mg, divided into three doses. For children and adolescents over 10 years, the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg, divided into two or three doses.
Possible Side Effects
- •Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.
- •Taste disturbance
- •Low Vitamin B12 levels, which may cause extreme tiredness, a sore and red tongue, tingling, or pale/yellowish skin.
- •Lactic acidosis (a very serious condition, see warnings for symptoms)
- •Abnormal liver function tests or hepatitis (liver inflammation), which may cause tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- •Skin reactions such as redness, itching, or hives.
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to metformin or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe kidney or liver problems.
- Do not take if you have uncontrolled diabetes, severe infections, heart failure, or severe blood circulation issues.
- Avoid heavy alcohol consumption while taking this medicine.
- Stop taking Glucophage immediately and seek urgent medical help if you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as severe vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, extreme tiredness, trouble breathing, low body temperature, or slow heartbeat, as this can be life-threatening.
Show 2 more warnings
- You must stop taking Glucophage temporarily before certain X-ray tests (involving iodine contrast) or surgery. Your doctor will provide specific instructions.
- Stop taking Glucophage temporarily if you are dehydrated due to severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, exposure to heat, or drinking less fluids than usual.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Do not use in severe renal impairment or tissue hypoxia. May reduce the absorption of vitamin B12. Consider risk of lactic acidosis. The drug should be paused during fever, gastroenteritis or dehydration, and before surgery or imaging with a contrast agent. (updated 20.5.2024)