General information

Glucophage Xr is used in patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. It may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. It works by helping to restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce. It also decreases the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach absorb. Glucophage Xr is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes. It is also used in women with a certain disease of the ovaries (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Metformin may make menstrual cycles more regular and increase fertility.

Directions

Take Glucophage Xr exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The starting dose is 500 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is 2000 mg once daily (or 1000 mg twice daily). The starting dose of Glucophage Xr for people taking insulin is 500 mg once daily. The maximum total daily dose for people taking insulin is 2000 mg. It should be taken with your evening meal. The tablets must be swallowed whole. The dose of Glucophage Xr should be increased only when necessary and should be increased slowly (by up to 500 mg every week or 850 mg every two weeks). Increasing the dose slowly usually helps to avoid side effects.

Precautions

Before taking Glucophage Xr you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney problems, kidney failure, liver problems, liver failure, cirrhosis, low vitamin B12 levels (pernicious anemia), congestive heart failure, heart attack or stroke, upcoming surgery or procedure (including x-rays or other radiology procedures), any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis while you are taking this medicine. Older adults may be a greater risk for side effects.

Contraindications

You should not take Glucophage Xr if you are allergic to metformin, glucophage, or any inactive component of this medication, are dehydrated, or if you have kidney disease, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, metabolic or diabetic ketoacidosis, heart attack. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended for children under the age of 17 years old.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have rapid weight gain, increasing sleepiness, feeling short of breath, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, headache, muscle pain, slow heart rate, swelling, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, feeling lightheaded, fainting. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide), isoniazid, steroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone), phenothiazines, thyroid medicine (synthroid, thyroid, levothyroxine), birth control pills, seizure medicines (oxcarbazepine, topiramate, phenytoin, carbamazepine), calcium channel blockers (nimodipine, verapamil, nifedipine), diet pills, estrogens. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are severe drowsiness, severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, slow or irregular heartbeat, tremors, sweating, fainting, confusion, coma.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from heat, light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.