Glucophage 500mg Tablets

Metformin helps lower blood sugar. It reduces the sugar made by the liver and helps the body use insulin better. It is used for:

• type 2 diabetes, alone or with other diabetes medicines
• diabetes that starts in pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Your doctor may start with a low dose to reduce stomach upset.

• Take it with food.
• Swallow tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew them.
• Measure the liquid with the spoon or syringe supplied.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Never take two doses at once.
• Keep taking it even if you feel well. Stopping can make your blood sugar rise.
• If you are being sick, have diarrhoea or a fever, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice, as you may become dehydrated.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, tummy pain
• loss of appetite, changes in taste
• low vitamin B12 over time, which can cause tiredness

These often settle within a couple of weeks.

Get emergency help if you have:

• signs of lactic acidosis: vomiting, tummy pain, muscle cramps, trouble breathing and severe tiredness
• swelling of the face, lips or throat, a raised itchy rash or trouble breathing

Call a doctor if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have kidney or liver problems
• have heart failure
• have a severe infection, or are dehydrated
• drink a lot of alcohol
• take water tablets, NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen, or some blood pressure medicines
• take insulin or other diabetes medicines
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Store as directed on the pack, and keep out of the reach of children. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Lactic acidosis: a rare but serious build-up of acid in the blood. The risk is higher with kidney problems, heavy drinking, dehydration or serious illness.

Alcohol: keep it within recommended limits.

Low blood sugar: metformin alone rarely causes it, but it is more likely with insulin or other diabetes medicines.