Usage And Safety
Side Effects
• Vomiting • Stomach ache (abdominal pain) • Muscle cramps • A general feeling of not being well with severe tiredness • Difficulty in breathing • Reduced body temperature and heartbeat .
Drug Interactions
Alcohol, Iodinated contrast agents , diuretics , corticosteroids , ACE inhibitors , sympathomimetics , NSAIDs , other hypoglycaemics . Inhibitors of OCT2 ( e.g , cimetidine, dolutegravir , ranolazine , trimethoprim ) .
Indication
Metformin HCl is used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes (also called 'non-insulin dependent diabetes') when diet and exercise alone have not been enough to control your blood glucose levels. It is used particularly in overweight patients.
When not to Use
Do not take Metformin :• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to metformin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine • if you have liver problems• if you have severely reduced kidney function. • if you have uncontrolled diabetes, with, for example, severe hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid weight loss, lactic acidosis or 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 or your breath developing an unusual fruity smell.
Precautions
Precaution
Metformin on its own does not cause hypoglycaemia (a blood glucose level which is too low). However, if you take Metformin together with other medicines to treat diabetes that can cause hypoglycaemia (suchas sulphonylureas, insulin, meglitinides), there is a risk of hypoglycaemia. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as weakness, dizziness, increased sweating, fast heart beating, vision disorders or difficulty in concentration, it usually helps to eat or drink something containing sugar.
Warnings
Warning 1
Metformin decreases liver uptake of lactate which may increase the risk of lactic acidosis, especially in patients at risk.
Warning 2
Stop taking Metformin for a short time if you have a condition that may be associated with dehydration (significant loss of body fluids) such as severe vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, exposure to heat or if you drink less fluid than normal. Talk to your doctor for further instructions.
Warning 3
Stop taking Metformin and contact a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you experience some of the symptoms of lactic acidosis, as this condition may lead to coma.
