Glucophage Product Description

Drug Uses

Glucophage is a hypoglycemic drug for oral use, belonging to the group of biguanides. Glucophage is used in the management of type 2 diabetes in pediatric overweight patients aged 10 years and older, and in overweight or obese adults.

Glucophage is prescribed to diabetic patients as an adjunct, when diet and physical activity are unable to regulate blood glucose level. This antihyperglycemic drug reduces glucose production by the liver and its intestinal absorption.

Clinical studies have shown that maintenance of normal blood glucose levels reduces the risk of diabetic complications (such as vision loss or eye disease, cardiovascular diseases). The recommended starting dose of Glucophage for adults is 850 to 1000 mg per day. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 2000mg of the antihyperglycemic drug.

Due to the reduction of renal activity in elderly patients and high risk of lactic acidosis, use of Glucophage should start with small doses of this antihyperglycemic drug, and titration should be made with caution. The initial daily dose of Glucophage for children is 500 mg in the morning and in the evening, with a maximum dose of 2000 mg.

Missed Dose

If you remember that you have missed a dose of Glucophage, take it with food as soon as you can, except when the time is approaching for taking the next dose of the oral antihyperglycemic agent. Then you should just skip one Glucophage dose, without doubling the following.

More Information

Glucophage hypoglycemic drug may be administered in combination with insulin or with other oral antidiabetic agents for the treatment of diabetes in obese adults. Glucophage is recommended as monotherapy or in combination with insulin for the treatment of obese children and adolescents. The patient is recommended to stop taking the antihyperglycemic drug Glucophage in the first symptoms of lactic acidosis (upset stomach, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat).

Storage

To protect the tablets from moisture and light, it is recommended to store Glucophage in an original light-resistant container. The optimum storage temperature for Glucophage tablets ranges from 20°C to 25°C.

Glucophage Safety Information

Warnings

It is recommended to stop taking Glucophage, if an intercurrent disease (congestive heart failure, hepatic dysfunction, or myocardial infarction) is observed in patient during the antihyperglycemic therapy. Prolonged use and high doses of the antihyperglycemic drug Glucophage may cause a violation of vitamin B12 absorption and lead to diseases, caused by lack of this vitamin in the body. To avoid them, measurement of hematologic parameters and prevention of subnormal vitamin B12 levels are recommended during the treatment.

Disclaimer

All information on hyperglycemia, provided in the review on Glucophage, is for information purposes only and can not be viewed as a substitute for professional advice of a health care specialist. We disclaim all liability for loss, claims and damages, resulting from improper use of materials on oral antihyperglycemic agent Glucophage.

Glucophage Side Effects

During the research test, conducted in the United States, the adverse reactions, registered in treatment with Glucophage, have been reported by more than 5% of patients. In the treatment with Glucophage, children of 10 years and above have the same adverse effects, as adults.

The most common adverse reactions manifest in the beginning of therapy with Glucophage. These include gastrointestinal disorders, like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and nausea. Some frequent adverse reactions, seen in the treatment with Glucophage, manifest after the drug use is discontinued. Such adverse reactions include abdominal pain, dyspepsia, abdominal distention, flatulence.

Glucophage may also cause other, less frequent, adverse reactions, like dyspnea, chills, hypoglycemia, taste disorder, flushing, myalgia, nail disorder, chest discomfort, palpitation, abnormal stools, rash, and taste disturbance.