Glucophage

Common uses

Glucophage is used to control high blood sugar. It is prescribed for patients with diabetes 2. Glucophage treatment is to be supported by special diet and exercise program. This medicine helps to decrease the amount of blood sugar and helps to avoid strokes, blindness, heart disease, kidney disease and sexual function problems. Sometimes it is prescribed to treat some other conditions.

Before using

Do not use Glucophage without your medical specialist's approval. Uncontrolled use of this medicine may cause undesired consequences, sometimes fatal. Apply for instant medical care if you experience severe drowsiness, muscle pain, unusual weakness, irregular heartbeat or difficulty breathing. Patients with excessive alcohol use, heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, dehydration, heart attack, stroke and some other conditions need additional medical care while using Glucophage. Ask your doctor for possible risks and side effects from using this medicine. Notify your medical specialist of taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including cimetidine, glyburide, insuline, diuretics, estrogens, birth control pills, corticosteroids, decongestants, ace-ingibitors, calcium channel blockers and thyroid medicines. Inform your doctor of having experienced any medical conditions before using Glucophage ( Sometimes you may need lower dose or it is not recommended to use in patients who have experienced lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, liver disease, kidney disease, recent stroke, recent heart attack, dehydration, lung problems, blood problems, excessive alcohol use, allergies and serious infection. Inform your doctor of being pregnant or breast-feeding. Notify your doctor of using Glucophage before x-ray or scanning procedure. Ask your medical specialist for the details of using this medicine.

Directions

Glucophage should not be taken on empty stomach. Do not stop using this medicine without your doctor's approval. This drug should be stored in cool dark place at a room temperature. Keep it in tightly closed container. Try not to miss your regular dose. Do not double-up your regular dose. If you miss your dose, wait until time for next dose comes.

Cautions

You may need additional medical tests to monitor your condition and to prevent possible side effects. Call your doctor if you experienced sudden changes in blood sugar. Notify medical specialist of using Glucophage before having surgery, emergency care, dental treatment or any laboratory test. Using this medicine can influence laboratory tests. Contact your doctor if you noticed symptoms of hypoglycemia including headache, tingling of feet or hands, fast heartbeat, drowsiness, chills, hunger or cold sweat. Inform your doctor of taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines. It is recommended to lessen alcohol intake. Do not miss your regular meals and carry glucose tablets to avoid low blood sugar. It is recommended to eat quick source of sugar if you don't have any glucose tablets or gel. You can eat candy, table sugar or honey to raise your blood sugar level.

Possible side effects

Consult your doctor, nurse or pharmacist or apply for emergency care in case of any side effects appearing during Glucophage treatment. Taking this medicine sometimes may cause:

• nausea
• flatulence
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• severe drowsiness
• muscle pain
• unusual tiredness and weakness
• cold skin
• allergic reaction

If you take too much

Glucophage overdose may cause difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat and severe drowsiness. Apply for emergency care or contact your medical specialist if overdose occurred.

Additional information

Follow the directions of your doctor. Keep this drug away from the reach of children and pets. Do not give this medicine to others for whom it was not prescribed.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions may cause side effects or neutralize the treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the interaction of Glucophage and other prescription and over-the-counter medicines.