Generic Glucophage

Glucophage is often used for people with type 2 diabetes who need help controlling their blood sugar. Often used in conjunction with diet and exercise, this medicine is also prescribed in its generic form, metformin.

Patients taking this medicine should be well aware to the symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Carrying small candy, sugar gels, or milk can stave off the dangers of hypoglycemia. Weakness, hunger and thirst, irritability, headache, nausea, and tremors are all early warning signs of hypoglycemia.

Glucophage is not appropriate for all patients and a thorough medical evaluation should be completed prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with a history which includes diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease, or liver disease may not be able to take this medication, or might need to undergo special testing and dosage requirements.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Glucophage as a pregnancy risk category B. This means that there is no evidence that this medicine will cause harm to a developing fetus. There is no conclusive evidence to support or deny the possible excretion of medicine through the mother’s breast milk. Women who are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are nursing should discuss the risks and the benefits of taking this medicine with their physician.

Glucophage is not approved for the use in children under ten years old. The extended release form is not approved for use in children under seventeen years old.

Many physicians prescribe Vitamin B-12 while taking this medication. There are certain tests, such as x-rays with dye that Glucophage can interfere with. Be sure to inform all physicians of your use of this medicine.

Missed doses should be taken as soon as possible. Patients should never take a missed dose if the time for the next regular dose is near. If that’s the case, the missed dose should be skipped and regular dosing should continue at the next regular dose. Taking double doses or taking doses too close together may result in an overdose.

An overdose requires swift medical intervention. Fast heart rate, sweating, tremors, hunger, thirst, headaches, irritability, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fainting, convulsions, and coma can all indicate an overdose.

In rare cases, this medication causes a condition known as lactic acidosis. Emergency medical care is required for cases as these and is likely to present with symptoms such as slow heart rate, increased fatigue, weakness, coldness, stomach pain, muscle pain, shortness of breath, light headedness, and fainting. These symptoms can be indications of a life threatening event.

Side effects generally include headaches, muscle pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or general weakness. In most cases, these symptoms should be reported to the prescribing physician but require on medical intervention.

A small percentage of patients taking Glucophage may experience life threatening side effects. Symptoms like swelling, rapid weight gain, respiratory distress, fevers, chills, body aches and other flu symptoms, and allergic reactions (facial swelling, swelling of the tongue or throat, hives, and difficulty breathing) indicate serious side effects.

Patients should never take any additional over the counter, prescription herbal or supplemental medications without first talking to their prescribing physician. Diuretics, thyroid medication, asthma medicine, allergy and cold medicine, steroids, birth control pills, seizure medicines, diet pills, aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, Pepto Bismol, beta blockers, sulfa drugs, MAO inhibitors, morphine, digoxin, vancomycin, trimethoprim, quinidine, procainamide, amiloride, cimetidine, nifedipine, furosemide, probenecid, salicylates, phenothiazines, isoniazide, and hormones can cause interactions when taken with Glucophage.