metformin

Pronunciation: met FOR min

Brand: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza), Riomet, Riomet ER

Glucophage

slide 1 of 100, Glucophage,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with BMS 6060, 500

Image of Glucophage
slide 1 of 100

Glucophage XR

slide 2 of 100, Glucophage XR,

500 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with BMS 6063, 500

Image of Glucophage XR
slide 2 of 100

Glucophage XR

slide 3 of 100, Glucophage XR,

750 mg, oval, red, imprinted with BMS 6064, 750

Image of Glucophage XR
slide 3 of 100

Glucophage

slide 4 of 100, Glucophage,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with BMS 6070, 850

Image of Glucophage
slide 4 of 100

Glucophage

slide 5 of 100, Glucophage,

1000 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with 10 00, BMS 6071

Image of Glucophage
slide 5 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 6 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 93, 48

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 6 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 7 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 93, 49

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 7 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 8 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oval, red, imprinted with 7212, 93

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 8 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 9 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 9 3, 72 14

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 9 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 10 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 7267, 9 3

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 10 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 11 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with H 102

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 11 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 12 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with H 103

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 12 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 13 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with H 104

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 13 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 14 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with IP 218, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 14 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 15 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with IP 219, 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 15 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 16 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with IP 220, 10 00

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 16 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 17 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 17 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 18 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 179

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 18 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 19 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with GP 124

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 19 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 20 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GP 128

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 20 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 21 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with I45

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 21 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 22 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, oval, white, imprinted with I46

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 22 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 23 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with I 47

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 23 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 24 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 24 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 25 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 25 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 26 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oval, white, imprinted with IP 179

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 26 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 27 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with IP 220, 10 00

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 27 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 28 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with 397

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 28 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 29 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with 435

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 29 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 30 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with C474

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 30 of 100

Fortamet

slide 31 of 100, Fortamet,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with LOGO 574

Image of Fortamet
slide 31 of 100

Fortamet

slide 32 of 100, Fortamet,

1000 mg, round, white, imprinted with logo 575

Image of Fortamet
slide 32 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 33 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, berry, imprinted with SG, 105

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 33 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 34 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, berry, imprinted with SG, 106

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 34 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 35 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, berry, imprinted with S G, 1 07

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 35 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 36 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with LOGO 571, 500

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 36 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 37 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with APO500, MET

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 37 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 38 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with APO 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 38 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 39 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with APO1000

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 39 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 40 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with APO, XR500

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 40 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 41 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with APO, XR750

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 41 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 42 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with LOGO 571, 500

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 42 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 43 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with LOGO 577, 750

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 43 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 44 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with 142

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 44 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 45 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, capsule, red, imprinted with 143

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 45 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 46 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, berry, imprinted with IP 218, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 46 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 47 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with A, 12

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 47 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 48 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 1 4, A

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 48 of 100

Glumetza

slide 49 of 100, Glumetza,

500 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with GMZ, 500

Image of Glumetza
slide 49 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet)

slide 50 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet),

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with Q22, LU

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet)
slide 50 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 51 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with G45, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 51 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 52 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with G45, 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 52 of 100

Fortamet

slide 53 of 100, Fortamet,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with LOGO 574

Image of Fortamet
slide 53 of 100

Glucophage

slide 54 of 100, Glucophage,

1000 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with 10 00, BMS 6071

Image of Glucophage
slide 54 of 100

Glucophage

slide 55 of 100, Glucophage,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with BMS 6060, 500

Image of Glucophage
slide 55 of 100

Glucophage

slide 56 of 100, Glucophage,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with BMS 6070, 850

Image of Glucophage
slide 56 of 100

Glucophage XR

slide 57 of 100, Glucophage XR,

500 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with BMS 6063, 500

Image of Glucophage XR
slide 57 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 58 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with H 104

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 58 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 59 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with Z 71

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 59 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 60 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with IP 177, 10 00

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 60 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 61 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with b 387, 10 00

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 61 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 62 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with Hourglass Logo 4432, 10 00

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 62 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 63 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with MP 753

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 63 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 64 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oval, white, imprinted with M 244

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 64 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 65 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

1000 mg, oblong, peach, imprinted with WPI WPI, 2455

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 65 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 66 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with 70, Z

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 66 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 67 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with IP 175, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 67 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 68 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with b385, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 68 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 69 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with LOGO 4331, 500

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 69 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 70 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with Z, 70

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 70 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 71 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with MP 751

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 71 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 72 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 93, 48

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 72 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 73 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, oblong, peach, imprinted with 2713, WPI

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 73 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 74 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, berry, imprinted with G 10

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 74 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 75 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, 234

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 75 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 76 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with 107, b

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 76 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 77 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with IP 176, 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 77 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 78 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, oval, white, imprinted with b386, 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 78 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 79 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, oval, white, imprinted with LOGO 4330, 850

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 79 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 80 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with MP 752

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 80 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 81 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, 240

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 81 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 82 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, oblong, peach, imprinted with WPI, 2775

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 82 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)

slide 83 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza),

1000 mg, round, white, imprinted with WPI 1000

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)
slide 83 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)

slide 84 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza),

1000 mg, round, white, imprinted with 306

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)
slide 84 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 85 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with E4416

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 85 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)

slide 86 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza),

500 mg, round, blue, imprinted with WPI 500

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)
slide 86 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)

slide 87 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza),

500 mg, round, white, imprinted with 305

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza)
slide 87 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 88 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with 101

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 88 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 89 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 89 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 90 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with 001

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 90 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 91 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 91 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 92 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

500 mg, oval, peach, imprinted with M 352

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 92 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 93 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

500 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with 500, 6065

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 93 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 94 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with 102

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 94 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 95 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oval, white, imprinted with IP 179

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 95 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 96 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, oblong, white, imprinted with M350

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 96 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 97 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with OE, 584

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 97 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER

slide 98 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER,

750 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 179

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride ER
slide 98 of 100

MetFORMIN Hydrochloride

slide 99 of 100, MetFORMIN Hydrochloride,

850 mg, round, white, berry, imprinted with G 11

Image of MetFORMIN Hydrochloride
slide 99 of 100

MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)

slide 100 of 100, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR),

500 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with IP 178

Image of MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR)
slide 100 of 100

What is the most important information I should know about metformin?

You should not use this medicine 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.

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.

What is metformin?

Metformin is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Metformin is sometimes used together with insulin or other medications, but metformin is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Metformin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metformin?

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);
  • high ketone levels in your blood or urine;
  • heart disease, congestive heart failure;
  • liver disease; or
  • if you also use insulin, or other oral diabetes medications.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Metformin may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Metformin should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old. Some forms of metformin are not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take metformin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take metformin with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Some forms of metformin are taken only once daily with the evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Some tablets are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Part of this shell may appear in your stool. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Metformin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking metformin. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis.

What should I avoid while taking metformin?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

What are the possible side effects of metformin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people using metformin develop lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as:

  • unusual muscle pain;
  • feeling cold;
  • trouble breathing;
  • feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
  • stomach pain, vomiting; or
  • slow or irregular heart rate.

Common side effects may include:

  • low blood sugar;
  • nausea, upset stomach; or
  • diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect metformin?

Many drugs can affect metformin, making this medicine less effective or increasing your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about metformin.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.