WHAT IS Glucophage sr/Metformin TABLETS?

Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/METFORMIN is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to control blood sugar. Treatment is combined with diet and exercise. This medicine can be used alone or with other medicines for diabetes, including insulin. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage is a biguanide antidiabetic. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver produces and the intestines absorb. It also helps to make your body more sensitive to the insulin that you naturally produce.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Glucophage sr/Metformin?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fast or difficult breathing
• muscle aches or pains
• unusually tired or weak
• unusual drowsiness
• low blood sugar (ask your doctor or health care professional for a list of these symptoms)
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• feeling of being unusually cold
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• unusual stomach pain or discomfort
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• breathing problems

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• heartburn
• stomach upset
• diarrhea
• headache
• vomiting
• temporary metallic taste
• nausea
• indigestion
• gas

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose of, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Glucophage sr/Metformin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• severe infection
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant, breast-feeding
• kidney or liver disease
• low blood oxygen levels
• frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
• become easily dehydrated
• anemia
• high blood ketone or acid levels
• an unusual or allergic reaction to Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/metformin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• heart failure that is treated with medications
• severe dehydration
• vomiting
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• heart attack
• serious infection or injury

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Glucophage sr/Metformin?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.

If you have low blood sugar, eat or drink something that has sugar. Make sure others know to get medical help quickly if you have serious symptoms of low blood sugar, like if you become unconscious or have a seizure.

Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage may rarely cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called lactic acidosis. Most of these cases have occurred in diabetic patients who also have certain kidney problems. The risk of lactic acidosis may be greater if you have liver problems, kidney problems, or heart failure. The risk may also be greater in patients who are elderly or drink alcohol.

Do not begin to take Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage if you are older than 80 years old unless lab tests show that you do not have decreased kidney function. Do not take it if you have a severe infection, have low blood oxygen levels, or are dehydrated. Tell your doctor you take Glucophage sr/Glucophage sr/Glucophage before you have any surgery or lab procedures.

If you need surgery or if you will need a procedure with contrast drugs, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Glucophage sr/Metformin?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture and light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Glucophage sr/Metformin?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• dofetilide
• certain contrast medicines given before X-rays, CT scans, MRI, or other procedures
• Tequin/gatifloxacin

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• phenothiazines like Thorazine/chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, Compazine/prochlorperazine, Mellaril/thioridazine
• female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
• sulfonylureas
• Digitek/digoxin
• Phoslo/calcium channel blockers
• amiloride
• sympathomimetics
• thyroid medicines
• isoniazid
• Phenytek er/phenytoin
• diuretics like amiloride , Lasix/furosemide
• trimethoprim
• cimetidine
• steroid medicines like Deltasone/prednisone or cortisone
• nicotinic acid
• medicines for blood pressure like Adalat/nifedipine
• morphine
• stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
• quinine
• procainamide
• vancomycin
• quinidine
• Zantac/ranitidine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

HOW SHOULD I USE Glucophage sr/Metformin?

Take this medicine by mouth. Take it with meals. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.