weight loss side effects metformin

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 weight loss side effects metformin. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not workingproperly weight loss side effects metformin. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis weight loss side effects metformin. 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 weight loss side effects metformin. These may be signs of lactic acidosis weight loss side effects metformin.
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking metformin weight loss side effects metformin. Together, alcoholand metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia weight loss side effects metformin.
• Metformin does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) weight loss side effects metformin. Nevertheless,hypoglycemia may occur, as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, oralcohol consumption weight loss side effects metformin. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which includehunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, sweating,tremor, and nausea weight loss side effects metformin. Carry candy or glucose tablets to treat episodes of lowblood sugar weight loss side effects metformin.

What is metformin?
• Metformin is used to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels weight loss side effects metformin. 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 weight loss side effects metformin.
• Metformin is used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDMor Type II diabetes) weight loss side effects metformin.
• Metformin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide weight loss side effects metformin.

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 weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin.
• Metformin is in the FDA pregnancy category B weight loss side effects metformin. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby weight loss side effects metformin. Usually, your doctor will want to prescribe insulinto control diabetes during pregnancy weight loss side effects metformin. Do not take metformin without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant weight loss side effects metformin.
• Metformin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby weight loss side effects metformin. Do nottake metformin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin. A lower dose or special monitoring may be necessaryduring your treatment weight loss side effects metformin.

How should I take metformin?
• Take metformin exactly as directed by your doctor weight loss side effects metformin. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructionsto you weight loss side effects metformin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water weight loss side effects metformin.
• Take metformin with a meal to reduce nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomachthat may occur with metformin therapy weight loss side effects metformin. These symptoms may be more likely tooccur during the first few weeks of therapy weight loss side effects metformin.
• A decrease in vitamin B12 may also occur during metformin therapy weight loss side effects metformin. Yourdoctor may want to monitor your blood levels of vitamin B12 and you may needto take B12 supplements weight loss side effects metformin. A vitamin B12 deficiency may rarely cause anemia weight loss side effects metformin.
• Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar control and other factorswith regularly scheduled blood tests weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin. This is not harmful, and the medication has been absorbedby your body weight loss side effects metformin.
• Store metformin at room temperature away from moisture and heat weight loss side effects metformin.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember weight loss side effects metformin. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularlyscheduled dose weight loss side effects metformin. Do not take a double dose weight loss side effects metformin.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention weight loss side effects metformin.
• An overdose of metformin is likely to cause lactic acidosis weight loss side effects metformin. 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 weight loss side effects metformin.

What should I avoid while taking metformin?
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking metformin weight loss side effects metformin. Together, alcoholand metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia weight loss side effects metformin.
• Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely weight loss side effects metformin. Changingany of these things can effect your blood sugar levels weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin. Treatment with metformin may need to be stopped for a shortperiod of time weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin. You may need to stop your treatment with metformin for a short amount of timeuntil you are feeling better weight loss side effects metformin.

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) weight loss side effects 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 weight loss side effects metformin. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not workingproperly weight loss side effects metformin. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis weight loss side effects metformin. 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 weight loss side effects metformin. These may be signs of lactic acidosis weight loss side effects metformin.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur weight loss side effects metformin. 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) weight loss side effects metformin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur weight loss side effects metformin. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome weight loss side effects metformin.

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) weight loss side effects metformin.
• 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 weight loss side effects metformin.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with metformin oraffect your condition weight loss side effects metformin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines weight loss side effects metformin.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about metformin written for healthprofessionals that you may read weight loss side effects metformin.

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