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1. Metformin

2. Metformin at a Glance
Take with food

3. Metformin at a Glance
Lab Tests Your Doctor May Order:
● Liver function blood test
● Kidney function blood tests
● Vitamin B12 blood level

4. Metformin At a Glance
Do not take metformin if you are admitted to
the hospital and receive intravenous contrast
dyes.

5. Metformin Top 5
1. Why I am I taking metformin?
Metformin helps to control your blood sugar.
2. How should I take metformin?
You should take with metformin with food.
3. What are some common side effects of metformin?
Upset stomach, diarrhea, stomach cramping, headache
4. What are the severe side effects of metformin?
Lactic acidosis
5.Who may not be able to take metformin safely?
People with kidney disease, liver disease, alcoholism, or people over 80
years old.

6. Brand names for metformin
Fortamet
Glucophage
Glumetza
Riomet

7. Metformin combination medications
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Glipizide/metformin (Metaglip)
Linagliptin/metformin (Jentadueto)
Pioglitazone/metformin (Actoplus Met)
Repaglinide/metformin (Prandimet)
Rosiglitazone/metformin (Avandamet)
Saxagliptin/metformin (Kombiglyze XR)
Sitagliptin/metformin (Janumet)

8. How metformin works
•
•
•
Helps your body to use insulin more
normally
o
Insulin controls your blood sugar
Lowers how much sugar your body takes
from food
Lowers how much sugar your liver makes

9. Less common uses for metformin
Gestational diabetes
Treats weight gain caused by antipsychotic
medications
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

10. Metformin dosage form
Immediate release tablet
Extended release tablet
Liquid

11. Special concerns with metformin
● Metformin has a Black Box FDA warning on its labeling,
and may rarely cause lactic acidosis as a severe side
effect. Let your doctor know if you have ever
experienced liver or kidney disease, heart disease,
heart attack, stroke, or ketoacidosis.
● Stop taking metformin and call your doctor right away if
you experience extreme weakness, vomiting, have
difficulty breathing, muscle pain, feeling cold, or flushed
skin.

12. Dietary concerns
•
•
•
Metformin is usually taken with food to prevent upset
stomach.
Extended release metformin may cause less upset
stomach than the immediate release form.
Stomach irritation may be worse when you eat gas
producing foods such as beans, broccoli, other fruits
and vegetables, as well as starchy foods. See how
these foods affect you when you take metformin.

13. Side effects
•
Common
o
o
o
o
•
o
Upset stomach
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea
Headache
Unpleasant taste
Rare but severe
o
Chest pains, shortness of breath, muscle aches,

14. Missed dose
Take as soon as your remember
Do not take 2 doses at once