This medicine contains metformin, a biguanide drug used to treat diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose (sugar) to be absorbed from the blood into the cells of the body. There, glucose is converted into energy or stored as a reserve for later use.
If you have diabetes, either your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body tissues do not respond properly to the insulin it produces. The result is high blood sugar. This medicine helps lower your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
For overweight adults, long-term use of the supplement also helps reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. While taking the drug, stable body weight or moderate weight loss is observed.
It is used to treat patients with diabetes (type 2 diabetes, also called “non-insulin-dependent diabetes”) when blood sugar levels cannot be adequately controlled through diet and exercise alone. The medicine is especially used in overweight patients.
Adults may use this medication alone or with other medications that lower blood sugar (drugs taken by mouth or insulin).
For children aged 10 years and older and adolescents, the drug can be used alone or together with insulin.
The medicine cannot be taken
if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to metformin or any other ingredient of this medicine.
if you have liver problems.
if you have severe kidney problems.
if you have uncontrolled diabetes, such as severe hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid weight loss, lactic acidosis (see “Risk of Lactic Acidosis” in the Patient Information category), or ketoacidosis. a condition in which substances called “ketone bodies” accumulate in the blood, which can lead to diabetic precoma. Symptoms include abdominal pain, rapid and deep breathing, drowsiness, or an unusual fruity breath odor.
if you have lost too much body water (dehydration), for example due to prolonged or severe diarrhea or if you have vomited several times in a row. This loss of fluid can lead to kidney problems, putting you at risk of developing lactic acidosis.
if you have a serious infection, such as a lung, bronchial tube or kidney infection. Serious infections can lead to kidney problems, putting you at risk of developing lactic acidosis (lactic acidosis).
if you are being treated for heart failure or have recently had a heart attack, have severe circulation problems (such as shock) or difficulty breathing. This can lead to a lack of oxygen in your tissues, putting you at risk of developing lactic acidosis (lactic acidosis).
if you drink a lot of alcohol.
If any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Be sure to consult a doctor,
if you need to have an X-ray or other imaging test in which you will be given a contrast agent that contains iodine.
if you need to undergo major surgery.
You must stop taking this medication for a certain period of time before and after your test or surgery. Your doctor will decide whether you need other treatment at this time.
It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Medicine cannot replace the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Continue to follow all your doctor’s dietary recommendations and ensure regular exercise.
Recommended dose
Children 10 years and older and teenagers
usually start with 500 mg or 850 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 2000 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. Treatment of children aged 10 to 12 years is recommended only on the advice of a physician, since experience in this age group is limited.
Adult
usually start with 500 or 850 mg two or three times a day. The maximum dose is 3000 mg per day, divided into three doses.
If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.
If you also take insulin, your doctor will tell you how to start taking the medication.
observation
Your doctor will check your blood sugar regularly and adjust your dose according to your blood sugar level. Be sure to talk to your doctor regularly. This is especially important for children and adolescents, as well as for older people.
Your doctor will also test your kidney function at least once a year. If you are older or have poor kidney function, you may also need more frequent checkups.
If after some time you feel that the effect is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you took more than you should
If you take more than you should, your blood may become too acidic from lactic acid (lactic acidosis). Symptoms of lactic acidosis are nonspecific and include vomiting, abdominal pain with muscle cramps, a general feeling of malaise with extreme fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include low body temperature and low heart rate. If you experience these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately as lactic acidosis can lead to coma. Stop taking the drug immediately and contact your doctor or the nearest hospital.
If you forget to take it
Do not take a double dose if you forget to take the previous dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time.
If you have any more questions about using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
