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- ARTICLESMany women who are TTC with PCOS have trouble with type II Diabetes as well.
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We would like to suggest that this may not be a positive choice for you to make ifyou look over the side effects. Consider natural alternatives such aschromium, bitter melon and others found in Glucochrom ® by AIM International. Check under the AIM product section for more details.
We would like to suggest that use of a high fiber supplement and a low carb diet. These may be theanswers to the problem rather than the cover for the symptoms.
Glucophage
Pronounced: GLEW-co-faje
Generic name: Metformin hydrochloride
Why is this drug prescribed
Glucophage is an oral anti-diabetic medication used to treat Type II(non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body provides unable to burnsugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount ofsugar in our blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your bodyrespond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not,however increase the body’s production of insulin.
Most important fact about this drug
Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet andexercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to seriouscomplications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, thatGlucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin.
How should you take this medication?
Do not take more or less of this medication than directed by your doctor. Glucophageshould be taken with food to reduce the possibility of nausea or diarrhea, especiallyduring the first few weeks of therapy.
If you miss a dose…
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next does, skip the oneyou missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions…
Store it at room temperature.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity , tell yourdoctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you tocontinue taking Glucophage.
If side effects from Glucopgage occur, they usually happen during the first few weeksof therapy. Most side effects are minor and will go away after you’ve takenGlucophage for awhile.
More common side effects may include:
Abdominal bloating, diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite, metallic or unpleasant
taste, nausea, vomiting.
Glucophage, unlike other oral anti-diabetics, does not usually cause hypoglycemia (lowblood sugar). However, hypoglycemia remains a possibility, especially in older, weak, andundernourished people and those with kidney, liver, adrenal, or pituitary gland problems.The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals, alcohol, other medications,fever, trauma, infection, surgery, or excessive exercise. To avoid hypoglycemia, youshould closely follow the dietary and exercise plan suggested by your physician. If youfeel hypoglycemia coming on, get some fast-acting sugar, such as a 4 to 6 ounce glass offruit juice.
Glycophage can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lacticacid in the blood. This problem is most likely to occur in people whose liver or kidneysare not working well. Although the condition is rare, it can be fatal. Lactic acidosis isa medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital.
Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include:
Feeling very week, tired, or uncomfortable, feeling cold, dizzy, or light headed,increasing sleepiness, muscle pain, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing,unexpected or unusual stomach discomfort.
If you notice these symptoms, stop taking Glucophage and call your doctor right away.
Why should this drug not be prescribed?
Avoid Glucophage if it has ever given you an allergic reaction.
Do not take Glucophage if you are suffering from acute or chronic metabolic acidosis,including diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficientinsulin and marked by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, pain below the breastbone, andfruity breath).
You should not take Glucophage for 2 days before and after having an X-ray procedurewith an injectable contrast agent (radioactive iodine). Also, if you are going to havesurgery, except minor surgery, you should stop taking Glucophage. Once you have resumednormal food and fluid intake, you doctor will tell you when you can go back to therapywith Glucophage.
If you have kidney or liver disease or develop serious conditions such as a heartattack, severe infection, or a stroke, do not take Glucophage.
You should not take Glucophage if you are seriously dehydrated, having lost a largeamount of fluid from severe vomiting, diarrhea, or high fever.
Special warnings about this medication
Before you start therapy with Glucophage, and at least once a year thereafter, yourdoctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function. If you develop kidneyproblems while on Glucophage, your doctor will discontinue this medication. If you are anolder person, you will need to have your kidney function monitored more frequently, andyour doctor may want to start you at a lower dosage.
If you are taking Glucophage, you should check your blood or urine periodically forabnormal sugar (glucose) levels. Your doctor will do annual blood checks to see ifGlucophage is casing a vitamin B12 deficiency or any other blood problem.
It’s possible that drugs such as Glucophage may lead to more heart problems thandiet treatment alone, or diet plus insulin. If you have a heart condition, you may want todiscuss this with your doctor. The effectiveness of any oral antidiabetic, includingGlucophage, may decrease with time. This may be due to either a diminished responsivenessto a medication or a worsening of the diabetes.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
If Glucophage is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could beincreased, decreased or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctorbefore combining Glucophage with the following:
Amiloride (Moduretic)
Calcium channel blockers (heart medications) such a Calan, Isoptin, and
Procardia
Cimetidine (Tagament)
Decongestant, airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Ventolin
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Furosemide (Lasix) and other diuretics
Isoniazid (Rifamate), a drug used for tuberculosis
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine
Morphine
Niacin (Slo-Niacin, Nicobid)
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilatin)
Procainamide (Procan SR)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Quinine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Thyroid hormones (Synthroid)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Trimpex)
Vancomycin (Vancocin HCI)
Do not drink to much alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low bloodsugar and alcohol enhances some effects of this drug.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.Glucophage should not be taken during pregnancy. Since studies suggest the importance ofmaintaining normal blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy, your doctor mayprescribe insulin injections instead.
It is not known whether Glucophage appears in human beast milk. Therefore, woman shoulddiscuss with their doctors whether to discontinue the medication or stopbreastfeeding. Ifthe medication is discontinued and if diet alone does not control glucose levels, thenyour doctor may consider insulin injections.
Recommended dosage
Your doctor will tailor your dosage to your individual needs.
ADULTS
The usual starting does is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day, taken with morning andevening meals. Your doctor may increase your daily does by 500-milligrams at weeklyintervals, based on your response. Daily doses of greater than 2500 milligrams are notrecommended. An alternative starting does is one 800-milligram tablet a day, taken withthe morning meal. Your doctor may increase this by 850 milligrams at 14-day intervals, toa maximum of 2550 milligrams a day.
The usual maintenance dose ranges from 1,500 to 2,550 milligrams daily.
OLDER ADULTS
Older people and those who are malnourished or in a weakened state are generally givenlower doses of Glucophage because their kidneys may be weaker, making side effects morelikely.
CHILDREN
The safety and effectiveness of Glucophage have not been established in children.
Overdosage
An overdose of Glucophage can cause lactic acidosis. (See "What Side Effects MayOccur?") If you suspect a Glucophage overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.