Metformin 500mg

About Metformin

Description

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.

Suitability

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

Important Interactions

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)

Side Effects

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

Please Note

All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet (PIL). When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.

Alternatives

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.

Looking after your medicine

Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.

References

Metformin 500mg Patient Information Leaflet

British National Formulary: metformin hydrochloride

What is ketoacidosis?

Ketoacidosis is a condition in which substances called 'ketone bodies' accumulate in the blood and which can lead to diabetic pre-coma. Symptoms include stomach pain, fast and deep breathing, sleepiness and your breath developing an unusual fruity smell.