Glucophage and/or Equivalents

Glucophage (metformin)

Glucophage Drug Description

Glucophage is an antidiabetic drug that is not available over the counter. This is a prescription drug that can be bought only with a doctor’s prescription. Glucophage contains the active ingredient Metformin. The drug is used for oral consumption only. Glucophage is a highly effective drug, hence it is part of the List of Essential Medicines issued by the World Health Organization in 2010.

While the medicine Metformin and its properties was discovered way back in 1920s, it was only in the 1940s onwards that extensive research was conducted on it. Dr. Jean Sterne from France conducted the earliest known clinical trial of the drug in 1957. After this trial the effectiveness of this drug was established and the drug was marketed commercially on a large scale. Metformin or Glucophage as been available in the UK market since 1958 but it came to the US only in 1995, although it was available in Canada since 1972. Today however, Glucophage is the most widely prescribed drug for diabetes. The company Bristol Myers Squibb holds the original license from the Food and Drug Administration of USA to market the drug.

Conditions Treated by Glucophage

Glucophage is prescribed generally for patients with Type 2 diabetes that is not insulin dependent. However it may often be combined with other drugs and treatments for treating Type 1 diabetes as well. The active ingredient in Glucophage, namely Metformin Hydrochloride helps to keep the blood sugar level under control. The specific mechanism of action of this drug is as follows. Insulin is a hormone that is normally produced in the pancreas, and it is essential for maintaining an optimum level of sugar in the blood. But in patients with diabetes, there is a lower production of insulin as result it is ineffective in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. With an antidiabetic such as Glucophage, the blood sugar is produced in the liver is reduced. It also makes the body more sensitive to insulin; therefore the sugar level can be controlled even with a low insulin level. Lastly the medicine also helps to slow down the sugar absorption in the blood stream after a meal is consumed. This is done by a special slow release formula which is part of the drug’s design. It is particularly beneficial when the patient is diabetic and obese and all other non-drug measures have been ineffective.

Glucophage Dosage Information

a.)Typical Dosage Recommendations

Glucophage is available in the form of tablets for oral consumption. These are slow release tablets that might have to be taken several times in a day, to coincide with meal timings. They work throughout the day to maintain a healthy blood sugar level that may be altered with meals and physical activity. The ideal way to take the medicine is with a glass of water, without crushing or dissolving the tablet.

b.) Missing A Dose

Glucophage is a medication that is generally given when all other methods have failed. Hence missing a dose can cause fluctuations in the blood sugar level. If a dose is missed, then the patient must take it as soon as he/she remembers. Glucophage tablets must be taken along with meals for it to be most effective and also because it is less likely to be missed then. However when a dose is missed, the next should not be altered in order compensate for the missed one.

c.) Overdosing

Glucophage is a prescription medicine for which the dosage is carefully derived for each patient. Hence this dosage as well as the timings for taking the medication must not be altered. An overdose of Glucophage will cause lactic acidiosis. The signs of this include stomach pain, breathlessness, feeling weak or giddy, aches in the muscles, feeling unusually cold. If an overdose is suspected, then emergency medical help should be sought.

Glucophage Warnings

Glucophage is specifically meant for patients with type 2 diabetes or it may be used as combination therapy for type 1 diabetics. Hence in case of mono-therapy, life style changes such as frequent healthy meals along with moderate exercise is still needed. The drug should not be self-administered at any cost. The medication can be taken in pregnancy but with an expert’s advice only. Some specific formulations of Glucophage are also prescribed to children. Patients who have metformin allergy should not be prescribed this medication. Likewise if patient is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis Glucophage must not be taken. Lactic acidosis is an outcome of taking this medicine, however all patients might not necessarily experience it. Patients should stay away from alcohol and have adequate water throughout the day to prevent the occurrence of lactic acidosis. Patients with heart disease or liver related complications should be careful when they take Glucophage. They must inform the doctor when they are being prescribed this drug.

Side Effects

Side effects are not uncommon for prescription drugs like Glucophage that are prescribed for serious conditions like diabetes. However the side effects must be duly reported to the doctor so that any major reactions to the drug can be averted. In some cases there might be intolerance or an allergic reaction to the drug as indicated by breathlessness, swelling on the throat, lips and tongue. Another major side effect of Glucophage is lactic acidosis which has the following symptoms:

• Pain in the muscles
• Numbness in limbs
• Feeling of faintness of weakness
• Unusually feeling cold
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Changes in heartbeats
• Fatigue
• Stomach pain

Other serious side effects of the drug include flu like symptoms, rapid and unexpected changes in weight or feeling tired. These must be reported to a doctor at the earliest. Some minor side effects of Glucophage can be overcome with time or with some home remedies. These include the following:

• Feeling tired
• Muscle pain
• Headaches
• Diarrhea or pain in stomach and vomiting

To avoid side effects, the medicine must take as prescribed by the doctor.

Possible Drug Interactions With Glucophage

Several drugs or medications when taken together could have certain adverse reactions. Hence in such cases the dosages might have to be altered, or other modifications might be needed. The patient must inform the doctor of all medications that he/she might be taken when a course of Glucophage is started. Drugs that raise blood sugar as well as others such as:

• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• morphine

If you have any questions about buying discount Glucophage online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Glucophage and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information