Metformin Zentiva
Metformin Zentiva helps control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, especially if diet and exercise alone are not enough.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg two or three 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 the tablets with or after meals to avoid stomach problems. Do not crush or chew the tablets; swallow each whole with a glass of water. If you take one dose, take it in the morning. If you take two doses, take them in the morning and evening. If you take three doses, take them in the morning, midday, and evening.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 3000 mg, divided into three doses. For children and adolescents, the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg, divided into two or three doses.
Possible Side Effects
- •Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite. These usually happen at the start of treatment and can be lessened by taking the medicine with or after food. If these symptoms continue, stop taking the medicine and talk to your doctor.
- •Taste disturbance.
- •Low vitamin B12 levels in the blood, which can cause extreme tiredness, a sore and red tongue, tingling sensations, or pale/yellow skin. Your doctor might do tests to find the cause of these symptoms.
- •Lactic acidosis: This is a very serious condition, especially if your kidneys don't work well. Symptoms include vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, a general feeling of being unwell and very tired, trouble breathing, lower body temperature, and a slow heartbeat. Stop taking the medicine and get medical help right away if you notice these symptoms.
- •Liver problems (hepatitis), which can cause tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. If these occur, stop the medicine and contact your doctor.
- •Skin reactions like 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 your diabetes is uncontrolled (e.g., very high blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, fast weight loss) or if you have ketoacidosis (a serious condition where acids build up in your blood).
- Do not take if you are severely dehydrated (e.g., from severe diarrhea or vomiting), have a serious infection, acute heart problems (like heart failure or a recent heart attack), or if you drink a lot of alcohol. These conditions increase your risk of a serious side effect called lactic acidosis.
- You must stop taking this medicine for a time before and after certain medical tests (like X-rays with iodine dye) or major surgery. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to stop and restart.
Show 2 more warnings
- Metformin Zentiva alone does not cause low blood sugar, but the risk increases if you take it with other diabetes medicines that can cause low blood sugar (like sulfonylureas or insulin).
- Do not take if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant without consulting your doctor. It is not recommended during breastfeeding.
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)