Metformin (Glucophage) Oral Medications Metformin (Glucophage) This medication helps sugar enter the fat and muscle cells by telling the cell doors to open. Important facts about this medicine: You may take this medicine with food. It may take a few days or weeks for this medicine to work well. Don’t stop your pills!!! If you forget to take your pills and it is 1 to 2 hours after you should have taken your pills - go ahead and take them when you remember. If it is longer than 2 hours – don’t take the dose. (Make a note in your diary about missing the dose) If you forget your pills – make a note in your diary. Never take the morning and evening doses at the same time!! Don’t make any changes to your medicine unless you talk with your diabetes team. You may feel “funny” as your blood sugar gets to target (70-150). Remember to test you blood sugar at least 2 times a day. Common side effects of this medication include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and signs of low blood sugar. Remember to let your diabetes team know if you are having an x-ray test with contrast dye, surgery, or a CT scan. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Store this medication at room temperature.

Metformin (Glucophage) Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious condition that can occur due to shock or in conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or alcohol abuse leading to an increase in levels of metformin in the body (metformin toxicity). Lactic acidosis must be treated immediately! Please call your doctor or go to the emergency department if you: Feel very weak and tired Have unusual muscle pain Have trouble breathing at rest Have unusual stomach pain Are feeling chilled or cold Are feeling lightheaded or dizzy Feel that your heart is beating slower than usual Feel that your heat is skipping beats The symptoms above can be signs of lactic acidosis. Please let your diabetes team know if you: Feel dizzy or have headaches Have upset stomach or diarrhea Feel very sick “For Teen Women” You may experience changes in your fertility while taking this pill. It is not yet known what the effects of this drug are on an unborn baby that is growing in the mother's body. If you are sexually active you will need to use a form of birth control.