Glucophage XR
Generic name: metformin [ met-FOR-min ]
Brand names: Glumetza, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza), Riomet,
... show all 8 brands
Drug class: Non-sulfonylureas
The Glucophage XR brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
What is Glucophage XR?
Glucophage XR is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Glucophage XR is sometimes used together with insulin or other medications, but this medicine is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Glucophage XR may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Glucophage XR side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some people using Glucophage XR develop lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as:
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unusual muscle pain;
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feeling cold;
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trouble breathing;
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feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
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stomach pain, vomiting; or
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slow or irregular heart rate.
Common side effects of Glucophage XR may include:
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nausea, upset stomach; or
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diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
You should not use Glucophage XR if you have severe kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking Glucophage XR.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Glucophage XR if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
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severe kidney disease; or
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metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
If you need to have surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking Glucophage XR. Be sure your caregivers know ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
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kidney disease (your kidney function may need to be checked before you take this medicine);
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high ketone levels in your blood or urine;
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heart disease, congestive heart failure;
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liver disease; or
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if you also use insulin, or other oral diabetes medications.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
Glucophage XR may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Glucophage XR should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old. Some forms of metformin are not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Glucophage XR?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take Glucophage XR with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Some forms of metformin are taken only once daily with the evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Some tablets are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Part of this shell may appear in your stool. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.
You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).
Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.
Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.
Glucophage XR is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking Glucophage XR. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis.
What should I avoid while taking Glucophage XR?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.
What other drugs will affect Glucophage XR?
Many drugs can affect Glucophage XR, making Glucophage XR less effective or increasing your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Popular FAQ
Metformin will usually start lowering your blood sugar (glucose) levels in the first week of treatment, but it may take 2 to 3 months to see its full effect. Metformin is a preferred initial oral treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, and is usually taken on a long-term basis. It may be combined with other blood glucose-lowering treatments, if needed. Continue reading
If you take metformin without food you may end up with an upset stomach, especially if you are just starting treatment. Nausea and vomiting is one of the most common side effects with metformin and can occur in over a quarter of patients. Continue reading
Pharmacists and patients are well aware that metformin may come with a fishy smell when you open the bottle. The smell does not mean the drug is spoiled, it's just due to it's inherent chemical characteristics. Continue reading
Metformin should be taken after having a meal or eating food, especially when you are first starting treatment. This can help reduce any stomach side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or gas. These side effects generally go away within a few weeks after starting treatment. Continue reading
Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Continue reading
According to the manufacturer, about 53% of people taking metformin immediate-release tablets experienced diarrhea in one clinical study. In another study, 10% of people taking metformin extended-release tablets reported diarrhea as a side effect. Continue reading
Metformin, an oral type 2 diabetes medicine, may lead to a modest weight loss and does not usually lead to significant, if any, weight gain. In various clinical studies, when metformin was used alone, it led to a weight loss of 0.7 to 3.8 kg (1.5 to 8.4 lbs) in most patients, but other studies have shown weight loss up to 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs). Continue reading
More FAQ
More about Glucophage XR (metformin)
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- Drug class: non-sulfonylureas
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Other brands
Glucophage, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet, Riomet ER
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Other brands
Glucophage, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet
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Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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