Glucophage Xr
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Glucophage XR
Diabetes treatment
Glucophage XR (Metformin hydrochloride) is a 24 hour extended-release oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin. Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone. Standard Glucophage tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing. Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin.
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Glucophage-xr price
Glucophage XR UsesGlucophage XR (Metformin HCl) is a biguanide-type medication that is used along with a diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in diabetic patients. This medicine works by helping restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce, and by decreasing the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems, as well as sexual function problems (impotence).
Glucophage XR How To TakeTAKE THIS MEDICATION with food. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS while taking this medicine. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Do not take more or less of this medication than directed by your doctor. The drug should be taken with food to reduce the possibility of nausea or diarrhea, especially during the first few weeks of therapy. If taking Glucophage XR, be sure to swallow the tablet whole; do not crush it or chew it. The inactive ingredients in the tablet may occasionally appear in the stool. This is not a cause for concern.
Glucophage XR Side EffectsSide effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Glucophage XR.
If side effects from Glucophage occur, they usually happen during the first few weeks of therapy. Most side effects are minor and will go away after you've taken Glucophage XR for a while.
More common side effects may include:
Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, gas, headache, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weakness
Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal distention, abnormal stools, altered sense of taste, chest discomfort, chills, constipation, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, flushing, increased sweating, low blood sugar, light-headedness, muscle pain, nail disorders, pounding heartbeat, rash, shortness of breath, upper respiratory infection
Glucophage XR Medical PrecautionsFOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS (e.g., liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, complete blood counts) while you are using this medicine. Regularly check your blood or urine sugar as directed by your doctor. FOR WOMEN: This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (promote ovulation) in women with certain fertility problems, therefore increasing the risk of becoming pregnant. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the use of reliable birth control while using this medicine. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medication. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, LABORATORY TESTS, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. During times of stress such as fever, infection, injury or surgery it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor, as a change in your medication may be required. LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE while using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug.
Glucophage XR is processed primarily by the kidneys, and can accumulate to excessive levels in the body if the kidneys aren't working properly. It should be avoided if you have kidney disease or your kidney function has been impaired by a condition such as shock, blood poisoning, or a heart attack. Do not take Glucophage if you have ever had an allergic reaction to metformin. You should not use Glucophage if you need to take medication for congestive heart failure. Do not take Glucophage if you have metabolic or diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin and marked by excessive thirst, fatigue, nausea, pain below the breastbone, and fruity breath). Diabetic ketoacidosis should be treated with insulin.
Glucophage XR Drug InteractionsIf Glucophage XR is taken with certain other medicines, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to consult with your doctor before combining Glucophage with the following:
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Decongestant, airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Ventolin
Amiloride (Moduretic)
Calcium channel blockers (heart medications) such as Calan, Isoptin, and Procardia
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Furosemide (Lasix)
Glyburide (Micronase)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Isoniazid (Rifamate), a drug used for tuberculosis
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine
Morphine
Niacin (Niaspan)
Procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Quinine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Triamterene (Dyazide, Dyrenium)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)
Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Thyroid hormones such as Synthroid
Vancomycin (Vancocin)
Water pills (diuretics) such as HydroDIURIL, Dyazide, and Moduretic
Do not drink too much alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low blood sugar and alcohol increases some effects of this prescription medication.
Glucophage XR Medical NotesAn overdose of Glucophage XR can cause lactic acidosis. If you suspect a Glucophage overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately. Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include: Dizziness, light-headedness, low body temperature, rapid breathing or trouble breathing, extreme weakness or tiredness, sleepiness, slow or irregular heartbeat, unexpected or unusual stomach discomfort, unusual muscle pain
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Glucophage should not be taken during pregnancy. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe insulin injections instead. It is not known whether Glucophage appears in human breast milk. Therefore, women should consult with their doctors whether to discontinue the medicine or to stop breastfeeding. If the medication is discontinued and if diet alone does not control glucose levels, then your doctor may consider insulin injections.
Glucophage XR Missed DosagesIf you miss a dose of Glucophage XR (Metformin HCl), take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Glucophage XR StorageSTORE Glucophage XR at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from light and moisture. Brief storage from 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom.
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