Generic name: metformin [ met-FOR-min ]
Brand names: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza. Riomet
Drug class:Non-sulfonylureas
What is metformin?
Metformin is a medicine used together with diet to lower high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metformin works by lowering the amount of glucose absorbed from intestines, decreasing how much glucose is made in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity.
Warnings
You should not use metformin if you have severe kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking metformin.
Though extremely rare, you may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use metformin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
severe kidney disease; or
metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
If you need to have surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking metformin. Be sure your caregivers know ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease (your kidney function may need to be checked before you take this medicine);<...
