Glucophage

Pronunciation: met-FOR-min
Generic Name: Metformin
Brand Name: Glucophage

Glucophage may rarely cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called lactic acidosis. Most of these cases have occurred in diabetic patients who also have certain kidney problems. The risk of lactic acidosis may be greater if you have liver problems, kidney problems, or heart failure. The risk may also be greater in patients who are elderly or drink alcohol. Lab tests, including kidney function, may be performed while you take Glucophage.

Do not begin to take Glucophage if you are 80 years or older unless lab tests show that you do not have decreased kidney function. Do not take it if you have a severe infection, have low blood oxygen levels, or are dehydrated. Tell your doctor you take Glucophage before you have any surgery or lab procedures.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as muscle pain or tenderness; unusual drowsiness, dizziness, or light-headedness; slow or irregular heartbeat; fast or difficult breathing; unusual stomach discomfort; or unusual weakness or tiredness. Contact your doctor right away if you start to feel unusually cold or if you have a general feeling of being unwell.

Glucophage is used for:

Treating type 2 diabetes. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.

Glucophage is a biguanide antidiabetic. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver produces and the intestines absorb. It also helps to make your body more sensitive to the insulin that you naturally produce.

Do NOT use Glucophage if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Glucophage


• you have a severe infection, low blood oxygen levels, kidney or liver problems, high blood ketone or acid levels (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis), or dehydration


• you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack, or you are in shock


• you are 80 years or older and have not had a kidney function test


• you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Glucophage:

Some medical conditions may interact with Glucophage. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have heart failure, especially heart failure that is treated by medicine


• if you have a history of heart problems, lung or breathing problems, thyroid problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, paralysis, blockage), adrenal or pituitary problems, or lactic acidosis


• if you have vomiting, diarrhea, poor health or nutrition, low blood calcium or vitamin B₁₂ levels, or anemia, or if you are dehydrated


• if you have an infection, fever, recent injury, or moderate to severe burns


• if you drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse


• if you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures


• if you take a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Glucophage. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amiloride, cimetidine, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, triamterene, trimethoprim, vancomycin, or medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, tacrolimus) because they may increase the risk of Glucophage's side effects. Ask you doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney


• Calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogen, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), insulin, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Glucophage may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Glucophage:

Use Glucophage as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Glucophage. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Glucophage by mouth with food.


• Take Glucophage on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Glucophage at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Continue to take Glucophage even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Glucophage, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Glucophage.

Important safety information:

• Glucophage may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Glucophage with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it


• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.


• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you take Glucophage. Talk to your doctor or health care provider before you drink alcohol while you take Glucophage.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Glucophage before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Be careful not to become dehydrated, especially during hot weather or while you are being active. Dehydration may increase the risk of Glucophage's side effects.


• If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.


• Carry an ID card at all times that says you have diabetes. Check your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor. If they are often higher or lower than they should be and you take Glucophage exactly as prescribed, tell your doctor.


• Glucophage does not usually cause low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may be more likely to occur if you skip a meal, exercise heavily, or drink alcohol. It may also be more likely if you take Glucophage along with certain medicines for diabetes (eg, sulfonylureas, insulin). Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, fast heartbeat, headache, chills, sweating, tremors, increased hunger, vision changes, nervousness, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting).


• It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar. If this is not available, you should eat or drink a quick source of sugar like table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non-diet soda. This will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Tell your doctor right away if this happens. To prevent low blood sugar, eat meals at the same time each day and do not skip meals.


• Fever, infection, injury, or surgery may increase your risk of high or low blood sugar levels. If any of these occur, check your blood sugar level closely and tell your doctor right away.


• Glucophage may commonly cause stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea at the beginning of treatment. If you develop unusual or unexpected stomach problems, or if you develop stomach problems later during treatment, contact your doctor at once. This may be a sign of lactic acidosis.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A_1c, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you take Glucophage. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Glucophage with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Low blood sugar levels may also be more difficult to recognize in the elderly.


• Glucophage should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 10 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Glucophage while you are pregnant. It is not known if Glucophage is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Glucophage.

When used for long periods of time, Glucophage may not work as well. If your blood sugar has been under control and then becomes hard to manage, contact your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.

Possible side effects of Glucophage:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; gas; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach upset; temporary metallic taste; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or discomfort; dizziness or light-headedness; fast or difficult breathing; feeling of being unusually cold; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; general feeling of being unwell; muscle pain or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual drowsiness; unusual or persistent stomach pain or discomfort; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Glucophage side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness or light-headedness; fast or difficult breathing; feeling of being unusually cold; general feeling of being unwell; muscle pain or tenderness; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual drowsiness; unusual stomach discomfort; unusual weakness or tiredness.

Proper storage of Glucophage:

Store Glucophage at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Glucophage out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Glucophage, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Glucophage is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Glucophage. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Glucophage resources

• Glucophage Side Effects (in more detail)
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• Drug Images
• Glucophage Drug Interactions
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• Glucophage Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


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