Glucophage

What is it?

An antidiabetic drug belonging to the group known as biguanides, available as film-coated, white tablets in two different strengths containing 500mg and 850mg of metformin hydrochloride and marked with strength and GL.

Medical Uses

Type II diabetes, as sole therapy or combined with other oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin, especially in patients who are overweight and whose diabetes has not responded to a diet/exercise regime alone.

Dosage

Adults, 500mg three times each day at first, or 850mg twice daily taken with, or just following a meal. Dose maybe gradually increased after 10 to 15 days, to a daily maximum of 3g according to response.

Special Care

Kidney failure, the elderly.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, juvenile, growth-onset or unstable brittle diabetes (all forms of insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus), severe liver or kidney disease, ketoacidosis, stress, infections, surgery, endocrine disorders.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Risk of hypoglycaemia with: sulfonamides, fibrates, fluconazole, aspirin, alcohol, chloramphenicol, MAOIs, NSAIDs, miconazole, oral anticoagulants, β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, probenecid, phenylbutazone, cimetidine. Risk of hyperglycemia with: diuretics, progestogens, oestrogens, contraceptive pills, phenothiazines, derivatives of nicotinic acid, thyroid hormones, phenytoin, danazol, sympathomimetics, calcium antagonists, corticosteroids, isoniazid.

Known Side Effects

Allergic reactions including skin rash, hypoglycemia, disturbance of vision, liver disorders, gastrointestinal effects, headache, abdominal pains, malaise, blood effects, trembling, dizziness, raised liver enzymes, confusion, drowsiness.