Metforem
Metforem is a medicine used to lower high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, usually along with diet and exercise. It helps your body use sugar better and reduces sugar production in the liver.
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose is 500 mg once a day.
Method
Take the tablets once a day with your evening meal. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. If your doctor advises, you can take them twice a day.
The maximum daily dose is 2,000 mg of Metforem.
Possible Side Effects
- •Diarrhea
- •Vomiting
- •Nausea
- •Stomach pain
- •Loss of appetite
- •Taste disturbances (metallic taste in the mouth)
- •Reduced or low vitamin B12 levels in the blood
- •Lactic acidosis (a very rare but serious condition)
- •Abnormal liver values and liver inflammation (often gets better after stopping treatment)
- •Skin reactions, such as redness, itching, or hives
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to metformin or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe kidney problems.
- Do not take if you have poorly controlled diabetes with high blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid weight loss, lactic acidosis, or ketoacidosis.
- Do not take if you are severely dehydrated (e.g., due to long-lasting diarrhea or vomiting).
- Do not take if you have liver disease.
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- Do not take if you have severe heart or lung disease.
- Avoid heavy alcohol use while taking Metforem.
- Do not take if you have an untreated bacterial or viral infection.
- Stop taking this medicine before surgery or imaging procedures that use contrast dye. Your doctor will tell you when you can restart it.
- Stop Metforem right away and go to a doctor or hospital if you have symptoms of lactic acidosis (vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, tiredness, trouble breathing, low body temperature, and slow heartbeat), as it can lead to coma.
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)