Glucophage 500mg

Indication

A biguanide used to improve blood glucose control in adults and children with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise. May be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetics.

Ingredients

• Metformin Hydrochloride

Direction

Adults: initially 500 mg 2–3 times daily with meals, or 850 mg once or twice daily with meals. Dose may be increased gradually as directed by a physician. Maximum 3000 mg/day.

Side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal discomfort (most common
• especially at initiation).
• Metallic taste.
• Lactic acidosis (rare but serious).
• Vitamin B12 deficiency with long
• term use.

Precautions

• Contraindicated in renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min).
• Contraindicated in hepatic impairment
• dehydration
• severe infection
• or heart failure.
• Hold before contrast procedures
• restart 48 hours after.
• Avoid excessive alcohol.
• Monitor renal function regularly.
• Risk of lactic acidosis (rare but serious).
• Long
• term use may deplete Vitamin B12.