What is Glucophage?
Glucophage (Metformin) is developed in order to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, and should be used along with an exersinig program and diet.
Glucophage Information
Metformin works by decreasing the level of blood sugar. This medicine may be used in combination with other preparations.
Metformin has to be taken orally, with a drink of water. Take Glucophage with food. Never exceed the prescribed dosage.
Glucophage (Metformin) belongs to the class of oral generic drug known as oral hypoglycemic and is commonly used to lower or control blood sugar (glucose) in people enduring type II diabetes. This generic drug works in three ways by helping the body respond better to the insulin it makes naturally, decreasing the amount of sugar that liver makes, and decreasing the amount of sugar that intestines absorb. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls glucose levels in blood by lowering the amount of glucose made by the liver and by increasing the removal of glucose from the blood by muscle and fat tissues. Consequently, blood glucose levels fall. Diabetes caused by a decrease in production of insulin that causes increased production of glucose by the liver and reduced uptake as well as effects of insulin on fat and muscle tissues. This generic drug from online pharmacy acts by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, fat, and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin. Unlike glucose-lowering generic drugs belonging to the sulfonylurea class, such as Micronase, Diabeta (glyburide) or Glucotrol (glipizide), Glucophage (Metformin) does not enhance the concentration of insulin in the blood and, therefore, does not cause excessively low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) or weight gain when used alone. In scientific studies, this generic drug was found to reduce the complications of diabetes such as heart disease, blindness and kidney disease. Along with healthy eating and physical activity, such as exercising, this generic drug works by treating insulin resistance, an important underlying defect in type II diabetes, to help your body use insulin more effectively. This is the primary reason why this medication is also called an insulin sensitizer.
Glucophage (Metformin) is a prescription drug available with any authorized drug store pharmacy and is used for treating type II diabetes in adults and children. You may also buy Glucophage (Metformin) from any online pharmacy with a valid prescription. This prescription drug may be used alone or in combination with other diabetic medications. This generic drug also has been used to prevent the development of diabetes in people at risk for diabetes, treatment of polycystic ovaries, and weight gain due to medications used for treating psychoses. Type II diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to form appropriate amount of insulin. As insulin is an important constituent of the body that is necessary to utilize the blood sugar, therefore, the problem occurs when body is unable to make enough insulin for the absorption of sugar. Type II diabetes can lead to serious medical problems, including kidney damage, amputations and blindness. Using this prescription drug alone, with a type of oral anti-diabetic medicine called a sulfonylurea or with insulin will help to lower blood sugar when it is too high and help restore the way you use food to make energy. There is an assortment of medications available in the market used to treat type II diabetes and this prescription drug is the most successful amongst them. However, Gluphage (Metformin) does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type I diabetes because they cannot produce insulin from their pancreas gland. In order to function properly, the amount of Glucophae (Metformin) taken by you ought to be balanced against the amount and type of food you eat and the amount of exercise you do. If you change your diet, your exercise or both, you will want to test your blood sugar to find out if it is too low. It is important to note that at some point, this generic drug may stop working as well and your blood glucose will increase. You will need to know if this happens and what to do. Instead of taking more of this prescription drug, your physician may want you to change to another anti-diabetic medicine. If that does not lower your blood sugar, your physician may have you stop taking the medication and begin receiving insulin injections instead.
Glucophage Safety Information
The recommended adult dose of Glucophage (Metformin) varies between from 500 mg tablets taken three or four times daily to 850 mg tablets taken twice or thrice every day. The maximum daily dose of this prescription drug should not exceed 2,550 mg daily. This medication needs to be taken with food whenever possible to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting. This generic drug may be used alone or with other medications that reduce blood sugar. In order to ensure that the medication is working well, keep an eye on your blood glucose on a regular basis as recommended by your physician. It is essential to take Glucophage (Metformin) with meals in order to help lessen the stomach and intestinal side effects that may occur while you are taking this medicine. For treating type II diabetes in adults, the initial dose of immediate release Glugophage (Metformin) is 500 mg taken twice daily or 850 mg once daily. The dose is gradually increased by 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every two weeks as tolerated and based on the response of the levels of glucose in the blood. The maximum daily dose of this prescription drug is 2550 mg given in three divided doses. If extended tablets are used, the starting dose is 500 mg or 1000 mg daily with the evening meal. The dose can be increased by 500 mg weekly up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg once daily or in two divided doses. For pediatric patients aged between 10 and 16 years, the initial dose of this generic drug is 500 mg taken twice daily. The dose can be increased by 500 mg weekly up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg. It is vital that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician. If you miss a dose of this generic drug, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Many things may have an effect on the dose of this medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your physician has recommended a dose different from what is discussed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without the approval of your physician. It is also essential to swallow the extended-release tablet whole and not to split, crush or chew it. If you are taking the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Make sure to inform your health care provider in case you have heart failure that is treated with medications; heart attack; serious infection or injury; polycystic ovaries; hormone changes or problems; liver or kidney disease; thyroid disease; undergoing surgery or certain x-ray procedures with injectable contrast agents. Tell your health care provider in case you become dehydrated easily.
Glucophage Side Effects
The most common side effects with Glucophage (Metformin) may include nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea and loss of appetite. These symptoms occur in one out of every three patients. These side effects may be severe enough to cause therapy to be discontinued in one out of every 20 patients. These side effects are related to the dose of the medication and may decrease if the dose of the prescription drug is reduced. Some patients using this generic drug may experience a late recurrence of stomach symptoms may be due to lactic acidosis. However, many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This generic drug usually does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), but this effect may occur if you do not consume enough calories from food, juices, fruit, etc.
You should immediately contact a doctor in case you notice any signs of the following side effects: muscle aches or pains; unusual stomach pain or discomfort; unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort; breathing difficulties or shortness of breath; passing out or fainting; slow or irregular heartbeat; dizziness; severe vomiting or diarrhea.
The following side effects do not usually need to be reported immediately, but talk to your health care provider if they become continuous or bothersome: nausea; metallic taste in the mouth; decreased appetite; mild stomach pain; gas; weight loss; heartburn.
In combination with certain diabetic medications, Metformin may decrease you blood sugar levels. Consult with your health care specialist right away if you notice irritability, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, hunger, pale skin, nausea, fatigue, sweating, palpitations, loss of consciousness, tingling in the fingers, tremors, muscle weakness, blurred vision, cold sensations, uncontrolled yawning, numbness of the mouth, or headache.