Generic Glucophage (Metformin)
Metformin hydrochloride: 1000 mg; 850 mg; 500 mg.
Excipients: carmellose sodium – 50 mg, hypromellose 2208 – 392.3 mg, magnesium stearate – 7 mg.
Release form
Extended-release tablets are white or off-white, capsule-shaped, biconvex, debossed with “1000” on one side and “MERCK” on the other.
10 pieces. – blisters (6) – cardboard packs.
Pharmacotherapeutic group
Hypoglycemic agent for oral administration of the biguanide group.
Pharmacological properties
Metformin is a biguanide with a hypoglycemic effect, reducing both basal and postprandial plasma glucose levels. It does not stimulate insulin secretion and therefore does not cause hypoglycemia. Increases the sensitivity of peripheral receptors to insulin and the utilization of glucose by cells. Reduces liver glucose production by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Delays the absorption of glucose in the intestine.
Metformin stimulates glycogen synthesis by acting on glycogen synthase. Increases the transport capacity of all types of membrane glucose transporters.
While taking metformin, the patient’s body weight either remains stable or decreases moderately.
Metformin has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism: it reduces the content of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides.
Indications for use
Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, especially in obese patients, with ineffective diet therapy and exercise:
- as monotherapy;
- in combination with other oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin.
Contraindications
- hypersensitivity to metformin or to any excipient;
- diabetic ketoacidosis; diabetic precoma, coma;
- renal failure or impaired renal function (creatinine clearance <45 ml/min);
- acute conditions that occur with a risk of developing renal dysfunction, incl. dehydration (with chronic or severe diarrhea, repeated bouts of vomiting), severe infectious diseases (for example, respiratory and urinary tract infections), shock;
- clinically pronounced manifestations of acute and chronic diseases that can lead to the development of tissue hypoxia (including acute heart failure, chronic heart failure with unstable hemodynamic parameters, respiratory failure, acute myocardial infarction);
- extensive surgical operations and injuries when insulin therapy is indicated;
- liver failure, liver dysfunction;
- chronic alcoholism, acute alcohol poisoning;
- lactic acidosis (including history);
- use for a period of less than 48 hours before and within 48 hours after radioisotope or x-ray studies with the introduction of an iodine-containing contrast agent (for example, intravenous urography);
- following a hypocaloric diet (less than 1000 kcal/day);
pregnancy; - children under 18 years of age due to the lack of data on use.
Use the drug with caution in patients over 60 years of age who perform heavy physical work, which is associated with an increased risk of developing lactic acidosis; in patients with renal failure (creatinine clearance 45-59 ml/min); during breastfeeding.
Mode of application
Glucophage 1000 mg is taken orally. The tablets are swallowed whole, without chewing, with a sufficient amount of liquid, 1 time per day during or after dinner.
The dose of Glucophage 1000 mg is selected by the doctor individually for each patient based on the results of measuring blood glucose concentrations.
Monotherapy and combination therapy in combination with other hypoglycemic agents
- Glucophage 1000 mg should be taken once a day during or after dinner.
- Glucophage 1000 mg is indicated as maintenance therapy in patients taking metformin 1000 mg or 2000 mg regular-release tablets. To switch to Glucophage 1000 mg, the daily dose must be equivalent to the daily dose of metformin regular release.
- Patients taking metformin regular-release tablets in doses greater than 2000 mg are not advised to switch to Glucophage 1000 mg.
- For patients not taking metformin, the recommended starting dose of Glucophage generic is 500 mg or 750 mg once a day with dinner (the following Glucophage formulations are available: extended-release tablets 500 mg and 750 mg). Every 10-15 days, it is recommended to adjust the dose based on the results of measuring blood glucose concentrations. Slowly increasing the dose promotes better gastrointestinal tolerability.
- In case of switching from another hypoglycemic agent, dose selection is carried out as described above, starting with the appointment of Glucophage 500 mg or 750 mg, with a possible subsequent transition to Glucophage 1000 mg.
Combination with insulin
To achieve better glycemic control, metformin and insulin can be used in combination therapy. The usual starting dose of Glucophage (Metformin) is one 500 mg or 750 mg tablet once a day with dinner, while the insulin dose is adjusted based on blood glucose measurements. Next, you can switch to Glucophage 1000 mg.
Daily dose
The maximum recommended dose of Generic Metformin 1000 mg is 2 tablets per day (2000 mg). If adequate glycemic control cannot be achieved when taking the maximum recommended dose once a day, the maximum dose can be divided into two doses: 1 1000 mg tablet with breakfast and 1 1000 mg tablet with dinner. If adequate glycemic control is not achieved in this case, a switch to regular-release metformin (eg, ordering Glucophage film-coated tablets) with a maximum daily dose of 3000 mg is possible.
Patients with kidney failure
Metformin can be used in patients with moderate renal failure (creatinine clearance 45–59 ml/min) only in the absence of conditions that may increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis. The initial dose is 500 mg or 750 mg 1 time / day. The maximum dose is 1000 mg/day. Renal function should be carefully monitored every 3-6 months. If CC is below 45 ml/min, the drug should be stopped immediately.
Elderly patients
In elderly patients, the dose of metformin is adjusted based on assessment of renal function, which should be carried out regularly.
Duration of treatment
Glucophage/Metformin should be taken daily, without interruption. If treatment is stopped, the patient must inform the doctor.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes, in which the human body loses sensitivity to the pancreatic hormone insulin. This type of diabetes is most common among people over 40 years of age. A risk factor is having a family member who is overweight or has type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that in some cases, the predisposition to the disease may be genetic.
Diabetes mellitus in pregnant women
Diabetes mellitus can appear during pregnancy. This condition is treated with insulin, which allows you to maintain good health of the mother and fetus. After childbirth, blood sugar usually levels out, but the risk of developing diabetes in the future increases significantly.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
There is no single theory explaining the reason why type 2 diabetes develops, but heredity and excess weight play an important role.
The disease often goes undetected for up to several years, which can lead to complications. Sometimes, to control the disease, it is enough to follow a special diet, although in the vast majority of cases, patients need to take special hypoglycemic medications for life.
Symptoms that may indicate type 2 diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- increased drinking consumption as a result of extreme thirst and dry mouth;
- increased number of urinations per day;
- fatigue and drowsiness;
- decreased visual function.
You can buy Glucophage Generic without a doctor’s prescription
Sometimes, to normalize the course of the disease, patients are only recommended to adjust their diet and reduce excess weight, if necessary. But this is often not enough, and the patient is prescribed drugs with glucose-lowering activity, for example, the drug Glucophage. It increases the sensitivity of body cells to insulin, affects the reaction of glucose formation and its absorption in the digestive tract, and also improves the metabolism of fats and fat-like compounds.
You can buy Glucophage without a doctor’s prescription in a pharmacy or online store, this is the best place! By ordering it online, cheaply, you get benefits, saving up to 50%. Online ordering of the drug over-the-counter is a very convenient way of purchasing. You receive the necessary medicine by mail. All you need is the Internet!