Glucophage Information

Glucophage is a drug more commonly called Metformin. Glucophage is extremely efficient in the treatment of disorders such as diabetes.
Glucophage Indications

Glucophage is a medicine mainly used in the care and the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (also known as sugar diabetes). With a little help from Glucophage, sugar is better distributed in order to restore the way in which food is used as an energy source.
Glucophage should not be prescribed for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, nor should it be given to patients who are taking insulin in order to control their blood sugar levels.
Glucophage is also commonly used in the treatment of other disorders, such as the polycystic ovary syndrome.
Glucophage Warnings

A treatment with Glucophage usually changes the patient’s regular sugar levels and since diabetics suffer from a sugar related illness, it is best if the intake of food that could alter your blood sugar levels is effectively monitored (for example alcohol drinking).
It is not safe for a patient who is following a Glucophage treatment to start taking other medicines without consulting it with his or her doctor first (this includes non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin).
If there is too much Metformin in your body it could easily determine lactic acidosis. The lactic acidosis has several common symptoms such as tiredness, diarrhea, shallow or fast breathing and sometimes weakness. An abnormal high level of Metformin inside your body can also lead to hypoglycemia or to the extreme lowering of your blood sugar levels.
If you have to take several medical examinations or if you are about to have a surgery it is recommended that you should stop your Glucophage treatment at least two days before the event.
If you are suffering from other medical disorders apart from the ones that this medicine is treating you should inform your doctor. If you are suffering from at least one of the conditions below, you must consult your physician immediately:
Ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis
Low blood sugar levels
Weakeness strength
Weakened immunity
Malnourishment
Under active pituitary or adrenal gland
Kidney problems
Liver diseases
Heart disorders
Infections, fever
Ketones in the urine
Mental stress
Diarrhea
Hormonal changes (women who are undergoing pregnancy, puberty or menstruation)

Metformin is one of Glucophage‘s most active ingredients, but it has been established that it can have very harmful effects if administered to pregnant women. In these cases, a treatment with Glucophage can lead to serious birth defects and it can harm both the mother and the fetus. This is why the use of Glucophage is strictly forbidden during pregnancy.
It has not been clearly established whether Metformin can pass into breast milk and that is why you should consult it witch your doctor whether you should start a Glucophage treatment if you are breast-feeding your child.

How should I take this medicine?
Take metformin tablets by mouth, with meals. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with metformin?
•alcohol
•cephalexin
•cimetidine
•digoxin
•dofetilide
•entecavir
•morphine
•nifedipine
•procainamide
•propantheline
•quinidine
•quinine
•ranitidine
•trimethoprim
•trospium
•vancomycin
•water pills (diuretics like amiloride, furosemide, triamterene)

Many medications may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar, these include:
•alcohol containing beverages
•aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
•beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
•chromium
•female hormones, such as estrogens, progestins, or contraceptive pills
•isoniazid
•male hormones or anabolic steroids
•medications for weight loss
•medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
•niacin
•pentamidine
•phenytoin
•some herbal dietary supplements
•steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
•thyroid hormones
•water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking metformin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
•dizziness
•muscle aches or pains
•passing out or fainting
•severe vomiting or diarrhea
•slow or irregular heartbeat
•unusual stomach pain or discomfort
•unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort

In combination with other diabetic medications, (like acarbose, glyburide, glipizide, miglitol, or insulin), metformin may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Contact your health care professional if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, which may include:
•anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, hunger, pale skin, nausea, fatigue, sweating, headache, palpitations, numbness of the mouth, tingling in the fingers, tremors, muscle weakness, blurred vision, cold sensations, uncontrolled yawning, irritability, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness

Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:
•dizziness, dry mouth, flushed dry-skin, fruit-like breath odor, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach ache, unusual thirst, frequent passing of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•decreased appetite
•gas
•heartburn
•metallic taste in the mouth
•mild stomachache
•nausea
•weight loss