Glyciphage 500mg (Metformin)

Glyciphage general information

What is Glyciphage used for?

Glyciphage tablets 500mg are an oral diabetes medication that is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone, which is a particular problem in overweight people. Glyciphage tablets 500mg can be used as first time treatment for newly diagnosed diabetics, or for patients who are not responding to an alternative medication, and can be used either alone or in combination with another oral antihyperglycaemic medication (lowers blood sugar). In some cases Glyciphage is used in conjunction with insulin in type 1 diabetes (also called insulin -dependent diabetes), where insulin alone is not enough to control blood sugar levels.

How does Glyciphage work?

Glyciphage tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient Metformin hydrochloride, which is an oral antihyperglycaemic medication belonging to the biguanide group of drugs. Metformin in Glyciphage tablets 500mg controls blood glucose (sugar) by lowering levels of glucose after a meal (posprandial) as well as keeping levels normal between meals (basal levels), by helping the body respond to insulin without increasing insulin production. Metformin in Glyciphage tablets 500mg works using three different mechanisms: decreasing glucose production in the liver, which is normally switched off when blood glucose levels are high enough; increasing sensitivity to insulin in fat and muscle tissue, where excess glucose is removed from the blood and stored; reducing absorption of glucose by the intestines form the diet. Maintaining glycaemic control with Glyciphage tablets 500mg reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

What does Glyciphage contain?

Glyciphage tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient metformin, which is an oral antihyperglycaemic medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Treating type 2 diabetes with Glyciphage

Glyciphage tablets 500mg contain Metformin, which is an oral antihyperglycaemic medication that is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone, which is a particular problem in overweight people. Metformin in Glyciphage tablets 500mg lowers blood sugar after a meal (posprandial) as well as keeping levels normal between meals (basal levels), by helping the body respond to insulin without increasing insulin production, using three different mechanisms: decreasing glucose production in the liver, which is normally switched off when blood glucose levels are high enough; increasing sensitivity to insulin in fat and muscle tissue, where excess glucose is removed from the blood and stored; reducing absorption of glucose by the intestines form the diet. Maintaining glycaemic control with Glyciphage tablets 500mg reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

What are the side effects of Glyciphage?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Glyciphage tablets 500mg include: gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, which are usually mild and resolve spontaneously during continued treatment; metallic taste in the mouth; and skin rash. A rare and potentially life threatening side effect is lactic acidosis (a build up of lactic acid in the blood) that can occur due to accumulation of metformin, particularly if you are taking high doses of metformin above 2000mg per day, have kidney problems, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, are elderly.

When should Glyciphage not be used?

You should not use Glyciphage if you:

• are allergic to metformin or any other biguanide or any ingredients in Glyciphage tablets 500mg
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding without discussion with your doctor
• have liver or kidney disease
• have a conditions affecting renal function, like dehydration, severe infection or shock
• have diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic precoma
• have acute or chronic disease which may cause tissue hypoxia such as heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, shock, acute significant blood loss, sepsis, gangrene, pancreatitis
• have a history of lactic acidosis
• have a problem with alcohol
• are taking medications that may interact with Glyciphage tablets 500mg including: cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, medications for high blood pressure and heart conditions like nifedipine, beta-blockers, diuretics, other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas and repaglinide, corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone, anticoagulants
• undergoing radiological treatment with intravascular iodinated contrast agents which may lead to renal failure, resulting in metformin accumulation and a risk of lactic acidosis

What medications interact with Glyciphage

Several medications interact with Glyciphage and should either not be taken while you are taking Glyciphage or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that interact with Glyciphage to increase side effects: other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas and repaglinide, ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone
• Drugs that affect Glyciphage: cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, medications for high blood pressure and heart conditions like nifedipine, beta-blockers, diuretics , thyroid medicines
• Drugs that are affected by Glyciphage: anticoagulants

How should Glyciphage be taken?

You should take your Glyciphage tablets 500mg with a glass of water and with food. The dose you take and how often should be as recommended by your doctor. The usual starting dose is one tablet once, twice or 3 times daily during or immediately after a meal, to reduce stomach effects. You will have your blood sugar levels monitored and your dose may be adjusted after a few weeks, depending on how well your blood sugar levels are controlled. You should continue to take your Metformin tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long periods.

How long should you take Glyciphage?

You should continue to take your Glyciphage tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long periods.

Missed dose of Glyciphage

If you miss a dose of Glyciphage take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Glyciphage be stored?

You should store your Glyciphage tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.