Metformin

Metformin is a drug that helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels in the body. It is used to treat Type 2 diabetes, heart disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome. Metformin is an oral drug that is used to control and balance blood sugar levels.

Metformin works by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It suppresses the quantity of glucose that the liver releases in the body. Thus, it lowers the blood sugar levels in the body of a patient suffering from Type 2 diabetes. Metformin also increases your sensitivity to insulin, enabling your body to absorb larger quantities of glucose.

This medication is used in the treatment of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and polycystic ovarian syndrome. If you do not manage the condition of diabetes, it can result in kidney failure, obesity and heart disorders. Therefore, Metformin helps keep your blood sugar levels low and your diabetes in check.

Metformin does not increase the amount of insulin in the body; instead, it decreases the production of sugar. The liver of patients, who suffer from type 2 diabetes, produces thrice the amount of glucose and their bodies do not have the capacity to absorb these large amounts of glucose.

Metformin is effective in lowering the amount of glucose that the liver releases. It also decreases your appetite and increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus, reducing the amount of glucose that is absorbed by your blood. Increased sensitivity to insulin also lowers your levels of cholesterol and helps you to lose weight.

In some cases, it is advisable for the patients of certain conditions to avoid taking this medication. Pregnant women, women who are breast-feeding their infants and children below ten years should not take this medicine. You should also inform your doctor before taking this medicine, if you suffer from conditions like-

• Liver disease
• Kidney disorders
• Heart disease
• Allergies
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.

You should seek emergency medical aid, if you detect any of the side effects. It is important to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, since it can increase your risk of developing lactic acidosis.

The dosage of Metformin that the doctor recommends for your treatment will be based on your age, your condition, the severity of your condition and the other medications you are currently taking. You should follow the course of this treatment until it is completed, and do not skip out on a dose.

Hypoglycemia has not been observed with ingestions of up to 85 g of metformin, although lactic acidosis has occurred in such circumstances. Metformin is dialyzable with a clearance of up to 170 mL/minute; hemodialysis may be useful for removal of accumulated drug from patients in whom metformin overdosage is suspected.

This medication is used to control diabetes; it is not a cure. Other components of treatment plan are important: follow prescribed diet, medication, and exercise regimen. Take exactly as directed; with meal(s) at the same time each day. Do not change dose or discontinue without consulting prescriber.

Read more: Type 1 diabetes

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos)

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• Impaired Kidney Function

• Allergy

• Metabolic Acidosis

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• Nausea Or Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Abdominal Pain

• Hypoglycemia

• Lactic Acidosis

• Weakness

• Chest Discomfort

• Headache

• Swollen Joints

• Belching

• Loss Of Appetite

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  The effect lasts for an average duration of 4 to 8 hours.

• What is the onset of action?

  The peak effect of this medicine can be observed after 1-3 hours of administration.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women owing to the risk of abnormalities in the fetus. Alternate means of blood sugar control like insulin therapy should be considered during pregnancy.

• Is it habit forming?

  No habit forming tendencies were reported.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women owing to the risk of adverse effects on the baby. Alternate means of blood sugar control like insulin therapy should be considered in such cases. If it becomes absolutely necessary to take this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  This medicine is found unsafe to consume alcohol with it.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  Driving must be avoided if you have too high or too low blood sugar/glucose level. Thus patient must avoid driving if any of these symptoms occur.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Caution must be taken in a patient with kidney disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advisable. The plasma and blood half-life of metformin is prolonged and the renal clearance is decreased in proportion to the decrease in creatinine clearance. Metformin is contraindicated in the presence of renal dysfunction defined as a serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL in males or >1.4 mg/dL in females or an abnormal creatinine clearance. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medication.

• Does this affect liver function?

  No studies have been conducted, however, metformin should be avoided because the presence of liver disease is a risk factor for the development of lactic acidosis during metformin therapy. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medication.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• Missed Dose instructions

  Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Contact a doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected. Some overdosages could lead to Lactic Acidosis which requires immediate medical intervention.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Japan

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Metformin as ingredient

• Gluformin 500 MG Tablet

  Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd

• Bidiab 850 MG Tablet SR

  Pfizer Ltd

• Bimet 500 MG Tablet

  Aretaeus Pharmaceuticals

• Glucomate 500 MG Tablet

  Zoticus Pharmaceuticals

• Bigomet 500 MG Tablet SR

  Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt.Ltd

• Diamet 500 MG Tablet

  Bal Pharma

• Cetapin 500 MG Tablet

  Sanofi India Ltd

• Bigsens 1000 MG Tablet SR

  Zydus Cadila

• Glyciphage 250 MG Tablet

  Franco Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

• Exermet 500 MG Tablet

  Cipla Ltd

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

This medication works by decreasing the production and absorption of glucose in the liver and intestine, respectively. It also improves the sensitivity of insulin by enhancing the uptake and utilization of glucose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Diabetologist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Alcohol

  Avoid using alcohol while taking this medicine. Symptoms such as prolonged weakness and muscle pain, lack of sleep, breathing difficulties after alcohol intake should be reported to the doctor immediately. Also, incidence of lactic acidosis may be increased; thus avoid or limit use.

• Interaction with Lab Test

  Information not available.

• Interaction with Medicine

  • Decreased effect: Drugs which tend to produce hyperglycemia (eg, diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blocking drugs, isoniazid) may lead to a loss of glycemic control.
  • Increased effect: Furosemide increased the metformin plasma and blood Cmax without altering metformin renal clearance in a single dose study.
  • Increased toxicity:
    • Cationic drugs (eg, amiloride, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, triamterene, trimethoprim, and vancomycin) which are eliminated by renal tubular secretion could have the potential for interaction with metformin by competing for common renal tubular transport systems.
    • Cimetidine increases (by 60%) peak metformin plasma and whole blood concentrations.

• Interaction with Disease

  Lactic Acidosis

  You should report the incidence of conditions like kidney impairment, heart disease, severe diarrhea, septicemia to the doctor before taking Metformin. Supervised dosing and monitoring of blood sugar levels might be required in such cases. Any signs and symptoms indicative of the above-mentioned conditions should be reported immediately.

  Vitamin B12 Deficiency

  Inform the doctor about incidences of anemia or Vitamin B12 deficiency so that suitable Vitamin supplements can be prescribed if needed.Vitamin B1 deficiency

• Interaction with Food

  • Food: Food decreases the extent and slightly delays the absorption. Drug may cause GI upset; take with food to decrease GI upset.
  • Glucose: Decreases blood glucose concentration. Hypoglycemia does not usually occur unless a patient is predisposed. Monitor blood glucose concentration. Exercise caution with administration in patients predisposed to hypoglycemia (eg, cases of reduced caloric intake, strenuous exercise without repletion of calories, alcohol ingestion or when metformin is combined with another oral antidiabetic agent).
  • Vitamin B12: Decreases absorption of Vitamin B12; monitor for signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Folic acid: Decreases absorption of folic acid; monitor for signs and symptoms of folic acid deficiency.

• Ques : What is Metformin?

  Ans : This medicine contains Metformin as an active ingredient in it. This medication helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels in the body. It is used to treat Type 2 diabetes and PCOS.

• Ques : How long do I need to use Metformin before I see improvement in my condition?

  Ans : This medication is to be taken till the time you see an improvement in your health conditions.

• Ques : At what frequency do I need to use Metformin?

  Ans : This medication should be taken in the dosage as prescribed by the doctor.

• Ques : Should I use Metformin empty stomach, before food or after food?

  Ans : This medication should be taken after food in a prescribed dosage.

• Ques : What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Metformin?

  Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.

• Ques : Does Metformin cause weight loss?

  Ans : Yes, Metformin can cause weight gain in some people. It is advised to consult the doctor.

• Ques : What are the benefits of taking Metformin?

  Ans : It is one of the first medicines that is given to patients with high blood sugar levels. It helps control blood sugar levels.

• Ques : Can Metformin make you sleepy?

  Ans : It usually does not cause sleepiness and is well tolerated.

• Ques : How to take Metformin?

  Ans : It is advised to consume this medication after having food. Consume it as prescribed by your doctor.

• Metformin-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 26 May 2022].Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/metformin

• Metformin-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 26 May 2022].Available from:

  https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00331

• METFORMIN Tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 26 May 2022].Available from:

  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=METFORMIN