Glucophage/Metformin bp 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.

Metformin/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.

BEFORE USING Glucophage/Metformin bp :

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

• if you drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures
• if you have vomiting, diarrhea, poor health or nutrition, low blood calcium/Phoslo or vitamin B levels, or anemia, or if you are dehydrated ₁₂
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), lung or breathing problems, thyroid problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, paralysis, blockage), adrenal or pituitary problems, or lactic acidosis
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you take a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol/Inderal)
• if you have an infection, fever, recent injury, or moderate to severe burns
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

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

• Calcium/Phoslo channel blockers (eg, nifedipine/Adalat), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone/Sterapred), diuretics (eg, furosemide/Lasix, hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide), estrogen, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), insulin, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine/Thorazine), phenytoin/Dilantin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide/Glucotrol xl), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol/Albuterol sulfate , pseudoephedrine), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased
• Amiloride , cimetidine, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, triamterene, trimethoprim, or vancomycin because they may increase the risk of Metformin/Glucophage 's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Metformin/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/Metformin bp :

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

• Take Metformin/Glucophage by mouth with food.
• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Metformin/Glucophage is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
• Take Metformin/Glucophage on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Metformin/Glucophage at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• If you miss a dose of Metformin/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.
• Continue to take Metformin/Glucophage even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• An extra patient leaflet is available with Metformin/Glucophage . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.

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

DO NOT USE Glucophage/Metformin bp IF:

• you have congestive heart failure that is treated by medicine
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Metformin/Glucophage
• you have had a stroke or a recent heart attack, or you are in shock
• you will be having surgery or certain lab procedures
• you have a severe infection, low blood oxygen levels, kidney or liver problems, high blood ketone or acid levels (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis), or severe dehydration
• you are 80 years old or older and have not had a kidney function test

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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Glucophage/Metformin bp :

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 lightheadedness; 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Metformin/Glucophage while you are pregnant. It is not known if Metformin/Glucophage is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Metformin/Glucophage .
• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
• Fever, infection, injury, or surgery may increase your risk for high or low blood sugar levels. If any of these occur, check your blood sugar closely and tell your doctor right away.
• Metformin/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.
• Metformin/Glucophage should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you use Metformin/Glucophage . Talk to your doctor or health care provider before you drink alcohol while you use Metformin/Glucophage .
• Lab tests, including kidney function, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A , and blood counts, may be performed while you use Metformin/Glucophage . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. _1c
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Metformin/Glucophage before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Metformin/Glucophage may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• 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 Metformin/Glucophage exactly as prescribed, tell your doctor.
• Use Metformin/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.
• Metformin/Glucophage does not usually lower your blood sugar levels. 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 Metformin/Glucophage along with certain medicines for diabetes (eg, sulfonylureas, insulin). 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.

When used for long periods of time, Metformin/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.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.