Metformin 500mg

Metformin belongs to a group of medicines called oral hypoglycaemics, which work by reducing the level of sugar in the blood. The active ingredient in this medicine is metformin hydrochloride.

Do not take Metformin:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to metformin hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• if you have severe infection, such as infection affecting your lung or bronchial system system or your kidney. Severe infections may lead to kidney problems, which can put you at risk for lactic acidosis
• if you have any problem with your liver
• if you are treated for acute heart failure or have recently had a heart attack, have severe problems with your circulation (such as shock) or have breathing difficulties
• if you drink alcohol excessively
• if you have severely reduced kidney function
• if you lost too much water from your body (dehydration), such as due to long-lasting or severe diarrhoea, or if you have vomited several times in a row
• if you have uncontrolled diabetes, with severe hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid weight loss, lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis

You must tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, in particular:

• other medicines used to lower blood sugar i.e. insulin
• medicines for asthma such as salbutamol
• corticosteroids (used to treat a variety of conditions, such as severe inflammation of the skin or in asthma)
• medicines that may change the amount of Metformin in your blood especially if you have reduced kidney function (such as verapamil, rifampicin, cimetidine, dolutegravir, ranolazine, trimethoprime, vandetanib, isavuconazole, crizotinib, olaparib)
• medicines which increase urine production (diuretics) such as furosemide or bendrofluazide
• medicines used to treat pain and inflammation (NSAIDs and COX-2-inhibitors, such as ibuprofen and celecoxib)
• certain medicines used for the treatment of high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors such as captopril, ramipril and angiotension II receptor antagonists e.g. losartan, olmesartan, irbesartan)

• upset stomach
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite

There are many different treatments available for diabetes, each depending on the underlying type and severity of your diabetes. Your regular doctor will decide the best treatment options for your needs.