Glucophage 500 mg

Indication

Oral antidiabetic (biguanide) used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially overweight patients; may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines or insulin.

Ingredients

• Metformin hydrochloride 500 mg (equivalent to 390 mg metformin base)

Direction

Oral route, as directed by the physician. Usual adult starting dose: 500 mg two or three times a day with or after meals; the doctor increases the dose gradually according to blood sugar (maximum usually 3,000 mg/day in divided doses). Swallow tablets whole with water. Read the package leaflet carefully.

Side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain or loss of appetite (usually at the start of treatment)
• Metallic taste
• Reduced vitamin B12 absorption with long
• term use
• Rarely
• skin reactions such as redness
• itching or hives
• Very rarely
• lactic acidosis (muscle pain
• trouble breathing
• severe tiredness
• stomach pain)
• stop and seek urgent medical help
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist if any side effect is troublesome

Precautions

• Prescription
• only medicine
• use only as directed by a physician
• Do not use if allergic to metformin
• or in severe kidney impairment
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• severe infection
• dehydration
• shock or recent heart attack
• Risk of lactic acidosis increases with kidney or liver problems
• heavy alcohol use
• dehydration and old age
• avoid alcohol
• Stop temporarily before surgery or X
• ray tests with iodinated contrast
• consult the doctor
• Kidney function and vitamin B12 should be checked regularly
• Hypoglycaemia may occur when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
• Keep out of reach of children