Glucophage, Glucophage XR, and Riomet (Biguanides)

Insert E

Brand Name	Generic Name
Glucophage (GLOO-coh-fahj)	metformin (met-FOR-min)
Glucophage XR	metformin-long-acting
Riomet (RY-oh-met)	metformin-liquid

What does this type of medicine do?

This type of medicine, which comes in pill or liquid form, lowers the amount of glucose made by your liver. Then your blood glucose levels don't go too high. This type of medicine also helps treat insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, your body doesn't use insulin the way it should. When your insulin works properly, your blood glucose levels stay on target and your cells get the energy they need. This type of medicine improves your cholesterol levels. It also may help you lose weight.

Who should not take Glucophage, Glucophage XR, or Riomet?

Talk with your doctor about whether to take this type of medicine if

• you have advanced kidney or liver disease
• you drink excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages
• you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding

What are the possible side effects?

This type of pill doesn't cause low blood glucose by itself. But your risk of having low blood glucose goes up if you also take

• diabetes pills that cause low blood glucose
• insulin

Your doctor may ask you to take a lower dose of your other diabetes medicines while you take this type of pill.

You may have nausea, diarrhea, or an upset stomach when you first start taking this type of medicine. These side effects are likely to go away after a while.

Rarely, a serious condition called lactic acidosis occurs as a side effect of taking this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you

• become weak and tired
• become dizzy
• feel very cold
• have trouble breathing
• have unusual muscle pain and stomach problems
• have a sudden change in the speed or steadiness of your heartbeat

Sometimes you'll need to stop taking this type of medicine for a short time so you can avoid developing lactic acidosis. If you have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever, or if you can't keep fluids down, call your doctor right away. You should also talk with your doctor well ahead of time about stopping this type of medicine if

• you'll be having special x rays that require an injection of dye
• you'll be having surgery

Your doctor will tell you when it's safe to start taking your medicine again.