pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards

What is the most important information I should know about metformin?
• A small number of people who have taken metformin have developed a seriouscondition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not workingproperly pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Stop taking metformin and call your doctor immediately if you experience a feelingof general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; troublebreathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplainedstomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start oftherapy with metformin); or the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. These may be signs of lactic acidosis pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking metformin pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Together, alcoholand metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Metformin does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Nevertheless,hypoglycemia may occur, as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, oralcohol consumption pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which includehunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, sweating,tremor, and nausea pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Carry candy or glucose tablets to treat episodes of lowblood sugar pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What is metformin?
• Metformin is used to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Metforminworks in three ways: first, it reduces the amount of glucose produced by yourliver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through yourstomach; and third, it makes the insulin that your body produces work betterto reduce the amount of glucose already in your blood pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Metformin is used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDMor Type II diabetes) pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Metformin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metformin?
• Do not take metformin without first talking to your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have congestive heart failure;
· have acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis;
· have had a heart attack or a stroke;
· have a serious infection, illness, or injury;
· need to have surgery;
· need to have x-rays or other procedures using injectable contrast agents;
· are dehydrated (have lost water from your body) due to diarrhea, vomiting,fever, heat stroke, decreased fluid intake, or any other cause;
· drink alcohol; or
· are 80 years of age or older and have not had your kidney functiontested pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• You may not be able to take metformin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Metformin is in the FDA pregnancy category B pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Usually, your doctor will want to prescribe insulinto control diabetes during pregnancy pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Do not take metformin without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Metformin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Do nottake metformin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• If you are over the age of 65 years, there may be an slight increasein the risk of developing lactic acidosis due to a natural decline in kidneyfunction with advancing age pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. A lower dose or special monitoring may be necessaryduring your treatment pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

How should I take metformin?
• Take metformin exactly as directed by your doctor pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructionsto you pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Take metformin with a meal to reduce nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomachthat may occur with metformin therapy pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. These symptoms may be more likely tooccur during the first few weeks of therapy pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• A decrease in vitamin B12 may also occur during metformin therapy pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Yourdoctor may want to monitor your blood levels of vitamin B12 and you may needto take B12 supplements pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. A vitamin B12 deficiency may rarely cause anemia pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar control and other factorswith regularly scheduled blood tests pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Occasionally, inactive ingredients in the metformin extended-release(Glucophage XR) tablets may pass through your body undissolved and appear inthe stool as a soft mass pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. This is not harmful, and the medication has been absorbedby your body pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Store metformin at room temperature away from moisture and heat pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularlyscheduled dose pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Do not take a double dose pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• An overdose of metformin is likely to cause lactic acidosis pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Symptomsof lactic acidosis include a feeling of general discomfort or sickness; weakness;sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing; unusual drowsiness, dizziness orlightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomachupset that may occur at the start of therapy with metformin); and the suddendevelopment of a slow or irregular heartbeat pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What should I avoid while taking metformin?
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking metformin pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Together, alcoholand metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Changingany of these things can effect your blood sugar levels pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Tell your doctor or other health care provider that you are taking thismedication if you need to have surgery or x-ray procedures that require injectionof contrast agents pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Treatment with metformin may need to be stopped for a shortperiod of time pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Tell your doctor that you are taking metformin if you become ill, ifyou have a heart attack; if you have a stroke; if you develop congestive heartfailure; if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration from anycause; or if you decrease the amount of food or liquid in your normal diet pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. You may need to stop your treatment with metformin for a short amount of timeuntil you are feeling better pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What are the possible side effects of metformin?
• Stop taking metformin and seek emergency medical attention if you experiencean allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swellingof your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• A small number of people who have taken metformin have developed a seriouscondition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not workingproperly pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Stop taking metformin and call your doctor immediately if you experience a feelingof general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; troublebreathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplainedstomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start oftherapy with metformin); or the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. These may be signs of lactic acidosis pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Continueto take metformin and talk to your doctor if you experience
· nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea at the start of therapy;
· abdominal bloating or increased gas production; or
· decreased appetite or changes in taste (metallic taste in your mouth) pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

What other drugs will affect metformin?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking anyof the following medications:
· a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex),ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex), amiloride (Midamor), triamterene(Dyazide, Maxzide, Dyrenium), spironolactone (Aldactone), hydrochlorothiazide(HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), indapamide(Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Mykrox), and others;
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine(Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others
· an estrogen (Premarin, Prempro, Ogen, and others) or birth controlpill (Ovral, Lo-Ovral, Ortho-Novum, Triphasil, Levlen, Tri-Levlen, Alesse, andothers)
· a calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil(Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), felodipine (Plendil),bepridil (Vascor), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others;
· a steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone), methylprednisolone(Medrol), dexamethasone (Decadron), and others;
· a thyroid medication (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, and others),
· digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
· procainamide (Pronestyl);
· quinidine (Cardioquin, others);
· cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75);
· morphine (Astramorph, MS Contin, Roxanol, and others);
· trimethoprim (Proloprim, Trimpex, Septra, Bactrim);
· phenytoin (Dilantin);
· isoniazid (Nydrazid); or
· nicotinic acid or niacin (Nicobid, Nicolar, others) pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• You may not be able to take metformin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with metformin oraffect your condition pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about metformin written for healthprofessionals that you may read pcos trying to conceive with metformin chat boards.

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