Prescription Drug Index

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not however increase the body’s production of insulin.

Metformin is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone.

Standard Metformin tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form of Metformin (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing.

Your doctor will tailor your dosage to your individual needs.

* Metformin may rarely cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease heart failure treated by medication or sepsis. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol or binge drink while taking metformin. If you have a radiologic procedure and are injected with contrast materials (urogram cholangiography angiography CT scan) tell the doctor that you are taking metformin. You will have to stop taking metformin from before the procedure until at least 48 hours after the procedure. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to metformin. If you experience any of the following symptoms call your doctor immediately: severe shortness of breath excessive tiredness muscle aches stomach pain after you have been taking metformin for a while cold feeling dizziness or slow heart beats.

ADULTS

The usual starting dose is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day taken with morning and evening meals. Your doctor may increase your daily dose by 500 milligrams at weekly intervals based on your response up to a total of 2000 milligrams.

An alternative starting dose is one 850-milligram tablet a day taken with the morning meal. Your doctor may increase this by 850 milligrams at 14-day intervals to a maximum of 2550 milligrams a day.

The usual maintenance dose ranges from 1500 to 2550 milligrams daily. If you take more than 2000 milligrams a day your doctor may recommend that the medication be divided into three doses taken with each meal.

CHILDREN

For children 10 to 16 years old the usual starting dose is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day with meals. The dosage may be increased by 500 milligrams at weekly intervals up to a maximum of 2000 milligrams daily. Metformin has not been tested in children younger than 10.

Note:

The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. This information regarding the following Canadian drugs is not intended to replace or act as a substitute for information or advice provided by your physician. You should always consult a physician before beginning a new medication. Moreover, prescription drugs should only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.

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