HEALTH INFORMATION:
Usage: Glucophage is used to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Glucophage works in three ways: first, it reduces the amount of glucose produced by your liver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through your stomach; and third, it makes the insulin that your body produces work better to reduce the amount of glucose already in your blood. Glucophage is used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or Type II diabetes). Directions: Take Glucophage exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Glucophage with a meal to reduce nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach that may occur with Glucophage therapy. These symptoms may be more likely to occur during the first few weeks of therapy. A decrease in vitamin B12 may also occur during Glucophage therapy. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood levels of vitamin B12 and you may need to take B12 supplements. A vitamin B12 deficiency may rarely cause anemia. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar control and other factors with regularly scheduled blood tests. Side Effects: Stop taking Glucophage and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives). A small number of people who have taken Glucophage have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not working properly. Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis. Stop taking Glucophage and call your doctor immediately if you experience a feeling of general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start of therapy with Glucophage); or the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat. These may be signs of lactic acidosis. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Glucophage 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). Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Precautions: Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking Glucophage. Together, alcohol and Glucophage may increase the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these things can effect your blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor or other health care provider that you are taking this medication if you need to have surgery or x-ray procedures that require injection of contrast agents. Treatment with Glucophage may need to be stopped for a short period of time. Tell your doctor that you are taking Glucophage if you become ill, if you have a heart attack; if you have a stroke; if you develop congestive heart failure; if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration from any cause; or if you decrease the amount of food or liquid in your normal diet. You may need to stop your treatment with Glucophage for a short amount of time until you are feeling better.

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