What is this medicine?
METFORMIN (met FOR min) is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to control blood sugar. Treatment is combined with diet and exercise. This medicine can be used alone or with other medicines for diabetes.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Actoplus Met 15-500MG Tablets | TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS | 30/$113.3 or 90/$322.15 |
| Actoplus Met 15-850MG Tablets | TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS | 30/$112.19 or 90/$322.15 |
| Avandamet 1-500MG Tablets | GLAXO SMITH KLINE | 60/$67.85 or 180/$189.32 |
| Avandamet 2-1000MG Tablets | GLAXO SMITH KLINE | 60/$145.27 or 180/$408.96 |
| Avandamet 2-500MG Tablets | GLAXO SMITH KLINE | 60/$156.44 or 180/$424.6 |
| Avandamet 4-1000MG Tablets | GLAXO SMITH KLINE | 60/$252.54 or 180/$726.32 |
| Avandamet 4-500MG Tablets | GLAXO SMITH KLINE | 60/$252.54 or 180/$703.98 |
| Fortamet 1000MG 24-hr Tablets | SCIELE PHARMA | 60/$302.39 or 180/$873.58 |
| Fortamet 500MG 24-hr Tablets | SCIELE PHARMA | 60/$134.39 or 180/$387.52 |
| GlipiZIDE-MetFORMIN HCl 2.5-500MG Tablets | SANDOZ | 60/$74.99 or 180/$199.96 |
| GlipiZIDE-MetFORMIN HCl 5-500MG Tablets | MYLAN | 60/$63.99 or 180/$169.99 |
| Glucophage 1000MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$141.08 or 180/$383.31 |
| Glucophage 500MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$69.99 or 180/$179.96 |
| Glucophage 850MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$113.29 or 180/$315.49 |
| Glucophage XR 500MG 24-hr Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$69.99 or 180/$180.97 |
| Glucophage XR 750MG 24-hr Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 30/$53.99 or 90/$139.96 |
| Glucovance 1.25-250MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$55.99 or 180/$151.97 |
| Glucovance 2.5-500MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$85.99 or 180/$249.97 |
| Glucovance 5-500MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 60/$92 or 180/$246.06 |
| Glumetza 500MG 24-hr Tablets | DEPOMED | 100/$166.01 or 300/$461.34 |
| GlyBURIDE-MetFORMIN 1.25-250MG Tablets | ACTAVIS MID ATLANTIC | 60/$39.99 or 180/$119.97 |
| GlyBURIDE-MetFORMIN 2.5-500MG Tablets | IVAX PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | 60/$45.99 or 180/$125.96 |
| GlyBURIDE-MetFORMIN 5-500MG Tablets | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 100/$83.99 or 300/$246.69 |
| Janumet 50-1000MG Tablets | MERCK HUMAN HEALTH | 60/$195.83 or 180/$561.46 |
| Janumet 50-500MG Tablets | MERCK HUMAN HEALTH | 60/$196.97 or 180/$571.68 |
| Metaglip 2.5-250MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 30/$38.51 or 90/$97.34 |
| Metaglip 5-500MG Tablets | B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE) | 30/$39.99 or 90/$99.97 |
| MetFORMIN HCl 1000MG Tablets | MUTUAL PHARMACEUTICAL | 30/$17.99 or 60/$31.97 |
| MetFORMIN HCl 500MG 24-hr Tablets | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 90/$18.99 or 180/$29.99 |
| MetFORMIN HCl 750MG 24-hr Tablets | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 30/$32.99 or 90/$89.99 |
| Riomet 500MG/5ML Solution | RANBAXY LABORATORIES | 473/$99.9 or 1419/$283.8 |
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems
- feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
- low blood sugar (ask your doctor or health care professional for a list of these symptoms)
- muscle aches or pains
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- unusual stomach pain or discomfort
- unusually tired or weak
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- headache
- heartburn
- metallic taste in mouth
- nausea
- stomach gas, upset
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Take it with meals. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- dofetilide
- gatifloxacin
- certain contrast medicines given before X-rays, CT scans, MRI, or other procedures
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- digoxin
- diuretics
- female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
- isoniazid
- medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
- morphine
- nicotinic acid
- phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
- phenytoin
- procainamide
- quinidine
- quinine
- ranitidine
- steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
- stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
- thyroid medicines
- trimethoprim
- vancomycin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Sole therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes and in patients with diabetes complicated by acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis with or without coma.
- Renal impairment (e.g., ≥1.5 or 1.4 mg/dL in men or women, respectively) or abnormal Scr. Renal impairment may result from conditions such as cardiovascular collapse (shock), AMI, or septicemia.
- Congestive heart failure requiring drug therapy (e.g., digoxin, furosemide).
- Known hypersensitivity to metformin hydrochloride or any ingredient in the formulations.
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.
If you have low blood sugar, eat or drink something that has sugar. Make sure others know to get medical help quickly if you have serious symptoms of low blood sugar, like if you become unconscious or have a seizure.
If you need surgery or if you will need a procedure with contrast drugs, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.
Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- anemia
- frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
- become easily dehydrated
- heart attack
- heart failure that is treated with medications
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- serious infection or injury
- vomiting
- an unusual or allergic reaction to metformin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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