Health Centres - Glucophage (metformin)
How does it work?
Glucophage tablets and Glucophage SR tablets both contain the active ingredient metformin hydrochloride. (NB. Metformin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Metformin is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM).
People with diabetes have a deficiency or absence of a hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for the control of sugar in the blood. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin and the cells of the body are resistant to the low levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Insulin would normally make the cells remove sugar from the blood, hence in type 2 diabetes blood sugar levels can rise too high.
Metformin hydrochloride is a type of antidiabetic medicine known as a biguanide. It works in a number of ways to decrease the amount of sugar in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes.
Firstly, it reduces the amount of sugar produced by cells in the liver. Secondly, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin. This enables the cells to remove sugar from the blood more effectively. Finally, it also delays absorption of sugar from the intestines into the bloodstream after eating. Overall, metformin reduces blood sugar levels both between and directly after meals.
Metformin is used as a first line treatment of type 2 diabetes in people who are overweight. It is used when diet and exercise have failed to control blood sugar levels. It can also be used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood sugar.
Glucophage tablets are standard release tablets that are taken two or three times a day either during or just after meals.
Glucophage SR tablets are prolonged release tablets that are designed to release metformin slowly and continuously over several hours. This produces a steady blood level of the medicine throughout the day. The tablets are designed to be taken once or twice a day with meals, depending on your blood sugar control. They must be swallowed with water and not broken, chewed or crushed, as this would damage the prolonged release action.
What is it used for?
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Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, when diet alone has failed to fully control blood sugar.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (unlicensed use).
Warning!
- Your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar level from time to time while you are taking this medicine. Make sure you discuss how to do this and how often with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
- When used on its own, metformin does not cause low blood sugar levels. However, you may get low blood sugar if you take metformin in combination with other antidiabetic medicines.
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