Glucophage 500 mg

Indication

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly in overweight patients, when diet and exercise alone do not adequately control blood glucose; in adults as monotherapy or with other oral antidiabetic agents or insulin, and in children from 10 years as monotherapy or with insulin.

Ingredients

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

Direction

Oral use; prescription only medicine. Read the enclosed leaflet before use and do not exceed the stated dose. Usual starting dose is 500 mg or 850 mg two or three times daily, taken with or after meals, adjusted by the doctor every 10–15 days according to blood glucose. Maximum 3 g daily in adults (2 g daily in children from 10 years).

Side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain or loss of appetite (usually at the start of treatment)
• Metallic taste
• Reduced vitamin B12 levels with long
• term use
• Very rarely: lactic acidosis (seek urgent care for muscle cramps
• breathing difficulty
• severe tiredness)
• skin reactions or liver function changes
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use and stop if irritation or allergy occurs.

Precautions

• Prescription only medicine
• do not exceed the stated dose
• Do not use in severe kidney impairment
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• severe infection
• dehydration
• shock
• liver failure or alcohol intoxication
• Stop temporarily before surgery or iodinated contrast X
• ray examinations as advised by the doctor
• kidney function should be checked regularly
• Avoid excessive alcohol
• tell your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use and stop if irritation or allergy occurs.