Metformin Zentiva
Metformin Zentiva is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg two or three times a day. For children aged 10 and older, the usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg once a day.
Method
Take Metformin Zentiva with or after a meal to avoid stomach upset. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water; do not crush or chew them.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 3000 mg, divided into three doses. For children aged 10 and older, the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg, divided into two or three doses.
Possible Side Effects
- •Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. These usually happen at the start of treatment and can be lessened by taking the medicine with meals and dividing the dose.
- •Taste disturbance.
- •Low vitamin B12 levels in the blood, which can cause extreme tiredness, a sore red tongue, tingling feelings, or pale/yellowish skin.
- •Lactic acidosis (a very rare but serious condition, especially if your kidneys are not working well, requiring immediate medical attention).
- •Abnormal liver function tests or hepatitis (liver inflammation) which can cause tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- •Skin reactions such as redness, itching, or hives (itchy rash).
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to metformin or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe kidney problems or liver problems.
- Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately if you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, feeling very tired, difficulty breathing, decreased body temperature, slow heartbeat). This is a very serious but rare side effect.
- Avoid large amounts of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it increases the risk of lactic acidosis.
- Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated due to severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or not drinking enough fluids, as you may need to temporarily stop taking this medicine.
Show 1 more warnings
- Inform your doctor if you are having a major surgery or a scan where a special dye (iodinated contrast medium) is injected into your blood, as you may need to stop 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)