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What is Glucophage
 Glucophage
is used to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Glucophage
works in three ways: first, it reduces the amount of glucose
produced by your liver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose
absorbed from food through your stomach; and third, it makes
the insulin that your body produces work better to reduce
the amount of glucose already in your blood.
Glucophage
is used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM
or Type II diabetes).
Glucophage
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Glucophage
A small number of people who have taken Glucophage
have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis
that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis
has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not
working properly. Liver problems may also increase the risk
of developing lactic acidosis. Stop taking Glucophage and
call your doctor immediately if you experience a feeling
of general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching
muscles; trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness
or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset
(after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start
of therapy with Glucophage); or the sudden development of
a slow or irregular heartbeat. These may be signs of lactic
acidosis.
Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking
Glucophage. Together, alcohol and Glucophage may increase
the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia.
Glucophage
does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Nevertheless,
hypoglycemia may occur, as a result of skipped meals, excessive
exercise, or alcohol consumption. Know the signs and symptoms
of low blood sugar, which include hunger, headache, drowsiness,
weakness, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor,
and nausea. Carry candy or glucose tablets to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
What you should find out before taking Glucophage 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;
-
need to have surgery;
- need to have x-rays or other
procedures using injectable contrast agents;
- are
dehydrated (have lost water from your body) due to diarrhea,
vomiting, fever, heat stroke, decreased fluid intake, or
any other cause;
- 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.
How should take Glucophage Take Glucophage exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take Glucophage
with a meal to reduce nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach
that may occur with Glucophage therapy. These symptoms may
be more likely to occur during the first few weeks of therapy.
A decrease in vitamin B12 may also occur during Glucophage
therapy. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood levels
of vitamin B12 and you may need to take B12 supplements.
A vitamin B12 deficiency may rarely cause anemia.
Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar control
and other factors with regularly scheduled blood tests.
Occasionally, inactive ingredients in the Glucophage
extended-release (Glucophage XR) tablets may pass through
your body undissolved and appear in the stool as a soft
mass. This is not harmful, and the medication has been absorbed
by your body.
Store Glucophage at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
An overdose
of Glucophage is likely to cause lactic acidosis. Symptoms
of lactic acidosis include a feeling of general discomfort
or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing;
unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual
or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomach
upset that may occur at the start of therapy with Glucophage);
and the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat.
Avoid while taking Glucophage Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking Glucophage.
Together, alcohol and Glucophage may increase the risk of
lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia.
Follow your diet,
medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing
any of these things can effect your blood sugar levels.
Tell your doctor or other health care provider that
you are taking this medication if you need to have surgery
or x-ray procedures that require injection of contrast agents.
Treatment with Glucophage may need to be stopped for a short
period of time.
Tell your doctor that you are taking
Glucophage if you become ill, if you have a heart attack;
if you have a stroke; if you develop congestive heart failure;
if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration
from any cause; or if you decrease the amount of food or
liquid in your normal diet. You may need to stop your treatment
with Glucophage for a short amount of time until you are
feeling better.
Possible side effects of Glucophage Stop taking Glucophage and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives).
A small number of people
who have taken Glucophage have developed a serious condition
called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50%
of cases. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people
whose kidneys were not working properly. Liver problems
may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis.
Stop taking Glucophage and call your doctor immediately
if you experience a feeling of general discomfort or sickness;
weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing, unusual
drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained
stomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may
occur at the start of therapy with Glucophage); or the sudden
development of a slow or irregular heartbeat. These may
be signs of lactic acidosis.
Other, less serious
side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
Glucophage and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea at the start
of therapy;
- abdominal bloating or increased gas
production; or
- decreased appetite or changes in
taste (metallic taste in your mouth).
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Glucophage Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if
you are taking any of the following medications:
-
a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide
(Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex),
amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide, Dyrenium),
spironolactone (Aldactone), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril),
chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), indapamide
(Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Mykrox), and others;
-
a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others
-
an estrogen (Premarin, Prempro, Ogen, and others) or birth
control pill (Ovral, Lo-Ovral, Ortho-Novum, Triphasil, Levlen,
Tri-Levlen, Alesse, and others)
- a calcium channel
blocker such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil
(Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor
XR), felodipine (Plendil), bepridil (Vascor), amlodipine
(Norvasc), and others;
- a steroid medication such
as prednisone (Deltasone), methylprednisolone (Medrol),
dexamethasone (Decadron), and others;
- a thyroid
medication (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, and others),
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
- procainamide
(Pronestyl);
- quinidine (Cardioquin, others);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or ranitidine (Zantac,
Zantac 75);
- morphine (Astramorph, MS Contin, Roxanol,
and others);
- trimethoprim (Proloprim, Trimpex,
Septra, Bactrim);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
isoniazid (Nydrazid); or
- nicotinic acid or niacin
(Nicobid, Nicolar, others).
You may not be able to
take Glucophage, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines
listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Glucophage
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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