If you have diabetes , you're entitled to free prescriptions for all of your medicines, not just your diabetes ones. The application form for the medical exemption certificate is called FP92A. You can get this from your doctor's surgery. Metformin will not affect the combined pill or emergency contraception. But some women might need a small adjustment in their metformin dose after starting contraceptive pills.
There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking metformin will reduce fertility in either men or women. But speak to a pharmacist or a doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking metformin a few days before having an operation or medical tests. A general anaesthetic that puts you to sleep can also hide low blood sugar.
Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking metformin, but it's best for men and women to drink no more than 2 units per day. A standard glass of wine ml is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol. Be careful eating food and drink containing karela. This is because it can lower your blood sugar levels and mean your diabetes is not controlled as well as it should be. Karela also called bitter gourd is used to flavour foods, such as curries like bitter gourd masala.
If your blood sugar levels are stable, taking metformin should not affect your ability to drive, cycle or use machinery and tools. Metformin itself will not make your blood sugar levels too low, but your doctor might prescribe it alongside other medicines for diabetes that can affect your blood sugar. Metformin is usually prescribed when diet and exercise alone has not been enough to control your blood sugar levels. Page last reviewed: 8 February Next review due: 8 February Metformin On this page About metformin Key facts Who can and cannot take metformin How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About metformin Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes , and to help prevent type 2 diabetes if you're at high risk of developing it. PCOS is a condition that affects how the ovaries work. Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels by improving the way your body handles insulin. Metformin is available on prescription as tablets and as a liquid that you drink.
Metformin works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. It also makes your body respond better to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls the level of sugar in your blood. It's best to take metformin with a meal to reduce the side effects. The most common side effects are feeling and being sick, diarrhoea, stomach ache and going off your food. Metformin does not cause weight gain, unlike some other diabetes medicines. Liquid metformin is called by the brand name Riomet.
Metformin is prescribed for adults, and children aged 10 years and older. Tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you : have had an allergic reaction to metformin or other medicines in the past have uncontrolled diabetes have liver or kidney problems have a severe infection are being treated for heart failure or have recently had a heart attack have severe problems with your circulation or breathing difficulties drink a lot of alcohol You may need to stop taking metformin before having surgery and certain medical tests.
Tell your doctor if you need to have: a test such as an X-ray or scan involving the injection of a dye that contains iodine into your blood surgery where you'll be put to sleep. Dosage The maximum daily dose is 2,mg a day for example, 4 x mg tablets. Different types of metformin Metformin comes as 2 different types of tablet: standard-release tablets and slow-release tablets. Will my dose go up or down? For example: one mg tablet with or after breakfast for at least 1 week, then one mg tablet with or after breakfast and your evening meal for at least 1 week, then one mg tablet with or after breakfast, lunch and your evening meal If you find you cannot tolerate the side effects of standard-release metformin, your doctor may suggest switching to slow-release tablets.
What if I forget to take it? If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. What if I take too much? They include: stomach pain diarrhoea fast or shallow breathing feeling cold unusual sleepiness tiredness or weakness.
Glucophage SR has been found to be especially useful in delaying problems associated with diabetes for overweight people with diabetes. Glucophage SR is effective in people with type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone cannot lower the blood sugar levels. Glucophage SR tablets should be taken with food whenever possible to reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting.
This medication may be used alone or with other medications that reduce blood sugar. You should monitor your blood sugar regularly to ensure that the medication is working well.
Take this medication exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule except when it is close to your schedule to take another dose.
Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose. The recommended adult dosage of Glucophage SR ranges from mg three to four times a day to mg two or three times a day or mg twice a day. The maximum daily dose of Glucophage SR should not exceed 2, mg daily.
Medicines and their possible side effects affect individual users differently. Not everyone who uses Glucophage SR will experience the possible side effects. Contact your doctor if you experience the possible side effects and they are severe or bothersome:. It's best to take it with food even if you don't have this side effect anyway. If you continue to feel sick then you might need to have your dose changed. Speak with your doctor about how you're feeling to get an idea of what you can do.
If you're being sick or have diarrhoea, then take lots of small sips of water. And if you have any signs of dehydration then speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you have any signs of sickness or diarrhoea then your doctor might be able to prescribe sickness tablets. But it's also important that you don't take any sickness or diarrhoea tablets without speaking to someone first.
Always speak to your doctor before making changes to your medication. If you have stomach pain or no appetite, you should eat smaller meals more regularly.
If you do have stomach pain you can use things like a hot water bottle or heat pads to help you. You can also have a metallic taste in your mouth as a result of the metformin. Some people find chewing sugar-free gum gets rid of this taste.
If you do feel overwhelmed by your medication then try talking to someone. Our helpline can support you with information and advice.
Some people are able to stop taking diabetes medication like metformin, by putting their diabetes into remission. This means that blood sugar levels are in the non-diabetes range without needing any medication. There are many ways people with diabetes have done this, but they mostly involve making changes to your diet and losing weight. Jon was diagnosed with type 2 in and was given metformin. But after learning more about his condition, Jon started to address his weight.
After a couple of months, he was able to gradually stop taking medication. You may have heard that metformin can help you lose weight. But there isn't a straight answer to whether it can.
There have been studies on its effects on weight loss. But currently, it hasn't been approved for weight loss. That's because the makers of the drugs haven't put it forward for the research. That means metformin isn't labelled as safe to use for weight loss. And although some people think that it makes you gain weight, putting on weight isn't a side-effect of metformin.
While metformin is a drug that is used to treat diabetes, it can also be prescribed for other uses. That's because it can lower insulin and blood sugar levels. This helps women with PCOS with their ovulation and periods. Are you pregnant, breast feeding or planning pregnancy in the next six months? Anything else you would like us to know?
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Metformin is used in conjunction 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 used to treat type 1 diabetes.
Product ratings. People also ask What is Metformin? Metformin contains metformin, a medicine to treat diabetes. It belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that makes your body take up glucose sugar from the blood.
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