Glucophage
Description
Glucophage (chemical name is metformin) is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and exercise. This medicine lowers blood sugar and helps your body to use insulin more efficiently. It is sometimes used with other medicines for diabetes. Generic metformin tablets are available.
Recommendations
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.
Precautions
Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have congestive heart failure; have acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis; have had a heart attack or a stroke; have a serious infection, illness, or injury; drink alcohol; or are 80 years of age or older and have not had your kidney function tested.
You may not be able to take Glucophage, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Glucophage is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Usually, your doctor will want to prescribe insulin to control diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Glucophage passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over the age of 65 years, there may be an slight increase in the risk of developing lactic acidosis due to a natural decline in kidney function with advancing age. A lower dose or special monitoring may be necessary during your treatment.
Ingredients
Active ingredient: metformin hydrochloride.
