Metformin ratiopharm
Metformin ratiopharm is a medicine for treating type 2 diabetes that helps lower your blood sugar to a normal level.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, usually 500 mg or 850 mg, 2 to 3 times a day. For children over 10, usually 500 mg or 850 mg once a day.
Method
Take tablets with or after a meal, whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew. Take once a day in the morning (breakfast); twice a day in the morning and evening (dinner); or three times a day in the morning (breakfast), midday (lunch), and evening (dinner).
Maximum daily dose for children (10+) is 2000 mg in 2 or 3 doses. For adults, the maximum daily dose is 3000 mg in 3 doses.
Possible Side Effects
- •Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.
- •Changes in taste.
- •Low vitamin B12 levels, which can cause extreme tiredness, a sore red tongue, tingling, or pale/yellow skin.
- •Lactic acidosis (a very rare but serious condition, see warnings for symptoms).
- •Abnormal liver test results or liver inflammation (hepatitis), which can cause tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- •Skin reactions such as redness, itching, or hives (itchy rash).
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 a severe infection, acute heart problems, severe circulation issues, or are very dehydrated.
- Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it increases the risk of a serious side effect called lactic acidosis.
- Stop taking this medicine and see a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of lactic acidosis: severe vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, feeling very unwell and tired, trouble breathing, low body temperature, or slow heartbeat.
Show 1 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you need an X-ray or CT scan with contrast dye, or if you are having major surgery, as you may need to stop taking this medicine temporarily.
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)