CLASS and MECHANISM of Action
Generic Glucophage is a medication that lowers blood glucose (sugar) and is used for treating type II diabetes. Generic Glucophage is not for treating type I diabetes. It is used for people with type II diabetes who does not use daily insulin injections. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers glucose levels in blood by reducing the amount of glucose made by the liver and by increasing the removal of glucose from the blood by muscle and fat tissues.
Generic Glucophage acts by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, fat, and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin. These actions lower the level of sugar in the blood.
Active Ingredients: Metformin hydrochloride
Inactive Ingredients: sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate.
What is Generic Glucophage PRESCRIBED For?
Generic Glucophage is prescribed to treat type II diabetes mellitus. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and exercise. Generic Glucophage is sometimes used with other medicines for diabetes.
How Should I Take Generic Glucophage?
Generic Glucophage is an oral medication and should be taken once daily with your evening meal, unless your health care professional tells you otherwise. Generic Glucophage is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. In order to get the most benefit use Generic Glucophage regularly. Do not take Generic Glucophage in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your health care professional. Your health care professional may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).
Protect from moisture and light.
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for taking Generic Glucophage?
Generic Glucophage is contraindicated to patients who have kidney or liver problems. People that have serious conditions such as a heart attack or severe infection should not take this medicine. People who drink alcohol excessively should not use Generic Glucophage.
It is not known the safety of using Generic Glucophage in pregnant women. Women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy should tell their health care professional immediately so the right medication can be prescribed.
What Happens if I MISS A DOSE?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose.
NOTE: Do not take double or extra doses.
What happens if I OVERDOSE?
An overdose of Generic Glucophage may cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis are: weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
You may also experience signs of low blood sugar, such as hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure(convulsions), fainting, or coma.
If any of these symptoms occurs call your local emergency and your health care professional immediately.
What are the possible SIDE EFFECTS of Generic Glucophage?
Serious side effects are very rare and occur mostly in people whose kidneys or liver are not working normally. The most serious side effect is lactic acidosis. It may be life threatening. Your health care professional will check your kidney and liver function to determine if you are at risk.
Side effects that you should report to your health care professional as soon as possible are:
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- unusual stomach pain or discomfort
- unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
- breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
- dizziness
- muscle aches or pains
- passing out or fainting
- severe vomiting or diarrhea
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is less likely to occur when Generic Glucophage is used alone. Hypoglycemia may occur when Generic Glucophage is taken in combination with insulin, sulfonylurea agents or Prandin (repaglinide). (Sulfonylurea agents and Prandin are other types of diabetes pills).
What other drugs can INTERACT with Generic Glucophage?
Your health care professional should be informed about all medicines you are taking and when there is a change in your medications, so that (s)he can make sure the combination is safe. Ask if the new medication will affect your diabetes.
If you are taking Generic Glucophage with other drugs that raise blood sugar you may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:
- isoniazid;
- diuretics (water pills);
- steroids (prednisone and others);
- phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
- thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
- birth control pills and other hormones;
- seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
- diet pills, or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.
You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking Generic Glucophage with other drugs that lower blood sugar.
Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
- sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);
- beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
- probenecid (Benemid).
Other drugs that listed above may interact with Generic Glucophage. Consult your doctor before taking any medicines while using Generic Glucophage.
Additional Information
Check your blood glucose at the times specified by your health care professional. If your blood glucose or A1C is within target most of the time, the dose is working. If not, review the amount and types of food eaten or if you have forgotten to take the right dose of your medication. If glucose remains high for a few weeks, contact your healthcare provider. A change in dose may be needed.
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