Benefits and harms of Glucophage tablets: side effects, indications and contraindications

Glucophage is the most popular medicine whose active ingredient is metformin. How to drink it for weight loss, against type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome - find out everything you need. This page contains instructions for use written in accessible language. Read about the mechanism of action, indications for use, contraindications, route of administration, optimal doses, side effects, as well as inexpensive analogues of Glucophage tablets from competing manufacturers.

Glucophage: detailed article

Metformin is such a safe medicine that it can be taken even during pregnancy. In particular, it is prescribed for the treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. In terms of the combination of safety and effectiveness, metformin has no analogues. Of course, many other pills are better for reducing weight and blood sugar. However, they can cause truly dangerous side effects, unlike metformin. Glucophage or another metformin drug is a good choice for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome in women.

When taking Glucophage, it is advisable to follow a diet. Read more about healthy eating:

• Dietary table No. 9 - balanced, low-calorie diet
• Low-carb keto diet - helps with diabetes, also with hypertension and gout
• Menu for the week - lists of dishes, recipes

Glucophage is considered the highest quality original imported drug of metformin. Important! Many diabetics complain that the quality of the tablets has deteriorated. The company, which benefits from their sales in Russian-speaking countries, was engaged in posting fake positive reviews. If Glucophage does not help, replace it with Siofor or metformin tablets from another manufacturer. Wait 2-3 weeks, then evaluate the effect and, if necessary, replace again. Focus on your blood sugar, body weight, and well-being. Analogues of the drug Glucophage are listed below.

Taking metformin tablets may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and other digestive problems. Of course, these side effects are unpleasant. However, this is a sign that the drug contains a real active ingredient and not a dummy. Although, of course, one can judge with certainty only by reducing blood sugar and body weight. How to manage side effects is detailed below.

Indications for use

Glucophage is prescribed to people suffering from diabetes. In addition to taking the medicine, the patient will have to follow a diet and exercise.

The doctor may also recommend Glucophage and Glucophage Long in a comprehensive diabetes treatment regimen or during insulin therapy.

Some people take drugs to lose weight and also as a cure for early aging.

Women are prescribed Glucophage for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Important Notes:

When prescribing a drug to a person who has contraindications to taking it, the likelihood of developing lactic acidosis increases. This condition poses a threat not only to health, but also to life, as uric acid begins to accumulate in the blood, and the blood pH level drops below 7.2. Lactic acidosis will be indicated by such signs as: nausea and vomiting, severe weakness, shortness of breath, pain in the abdomen. The person may fall into a coma. If there are no contraindications to treatment and a person takes the medicine, then there will be no harm to health.

Effect on menstruation

Glucophage is not a hormonal drug and does not directly affect menstrual bleeding. To some extent, it may have an effect on the condition of the ovaries.

The medication increases insulin resistance and affects metabolic disorders, which is typical for polycystic disease.

Hypoglycemic medications are often prescribed to patients with anovulation, increased weight, and hirsutism. Restoring insulin sensitivity has been successfully used in the treatment of infertility caused by ovulation disorders.

Due to its effect on the pancreas, systematic and long-term use of hypoglycemic medication indirectly affects ovarian function. The menstrual cycle may shift.

Pharmacokinetics

Glucophage reduces elevated blood sugar without causing hypoglycemia. In this case, insulin is not produced, and hypoglycemia does not develop in a healthy person. Glucose that enters the body is utilized by its cells, and its absorption into the digestive tract is inhibited. Under the influence of the drug Glucophage, the liver reduces glucose production and stimulates glycogen synthesis.

At the same time, the metabolism of dietary fats is normalized, and total cholesterol, LDL, and TG levels decrease. This feature of the pharmacokinetics of the drug makes it possible to maintain normal weight or gently reduce it.

Glucophage is completely absorbed from the digestive tract. This process may be delayed depending on food intake. The drug is distributed in tissues and excreted by the kidneys.

Pharmacological properties

Pharmacodynamics

Metformin reduces the manifestations of hyperglycemia, while preventing the development of hypoglycemia. Unlike sulfonylurea derivatives, the substance does not enhance insulin production in the body and does not have a hypoglycemic effect in healthy individuals. Metformin reduces the sensitivity of peripheral receptors to insulin and enhances the utilization of glucose in cells, and also inhibits the synthesis of glucose in the liver due to inhibition of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The substance also slows down the absorption of glucose in the intestine.

Metformin activates glycogen synthesis by acting on glycogen synthase and increases the transport capacity of all types of membrane glucose transporters. It also has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism, reducing the concentration of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and total cholesterol.

During treatment with Glucophage, the patient's body weight either remains constant or moderately decreases.

Clinical studies confirm the effectiveness of the drug for the prevention of diabetes mellitus in patients in a prediabetic state who have identified additional risk factors for developing overt type 2 diabetes mellitus if recommended lifestyle changes do not guarantee adequate glycemic control.

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, metformin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract quite completely. Absolute bioavailability reaches 50–60%. The maximum concentration of the substance in the blood plasma is reached approximately 2.5 hours after administration and is about 2 μg/ml or 15 μmol. When taking Glucophage simultaneously with food, the absorption of metformin is reduced and slowed down.

Metformin is rapidly distributed throughout the body's tissues and binds to proteins only to a small extent. The active component of Glucophage is metabolized very poorly and is excreted in the urine. The clearance of metformin in healthy individuals is 400 ml/min (which is 4 times the clearance of creatinine). This fact proves the presence of active tubular secretion. The half-life is approximately 6.5 hours. In patients with renal failure, it increases and the risk of drug accumulation increases.

Contraindications for use

The drug is not recommended for use in the following diseases and conditions:

• Kidney and liver failure;
• Acute forms of inflammatory and infectious diseases;
• Pregnancy;
• Lactation;
• Acute alcohol poisoning;
• Diabetic coma and precoma, ketoacidosis (lactic acid and diabetic);
• Low calorie diet;
• Individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• Condition after severe injuries and surgical operations;
• Cardiovascular failure, condition after myocardial infarction;
• The time period is 2 days before and after studies accompanied by the administration of iodine-containing contrast agent;
• Old age after 60 years (take with caution);
• Heavy physical activity (due to the risk of lactic acidosis).

Effect of the drug on the liver and kidneys

Glucophage is not prescribed to patients with liver and kidney failure, regardless of the severity of the pathological process.

However, the drug can be taken for fatty liver hepatosis. If the patient adheres to a dietary diet and leads a healthy lifestyle, this will help get rid of the existing problem and improve well-being.

special instructions

The patient should be warned about the need to stop taking the drug and consult a doctor if vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain, general weakness and severe malaise occur. These symptoms may be a sign of incipient lactic acidosis.

Since metformin is excreted in the urine, serum creatinine levels should be determined before initiating treatment with the drug and regularly thereafter.

Particular caution should be exercised if renal function is impaired, for example, during the initial period of therapy with antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, NSAIDs.

The patient should be informed about the need to consult a doctor if symptoms of a bronchopulmonary infection or infectious disease of the genitourinary organs appear.

While using the drug Glucophage®, you should refrain from drinking alcohol.

Dosage

Glucophage tablets are taken during or after meals as part of complex therapy or as the only remedy.

Dosage for adults:

• 500/850 mg 2-3 times a day – initial dosage;
• 1500-2000 mg/day – maintenance dose of the drug, divided into 2-3 doses;
• 3000 mg/day – maximum dose, divided into 3 doses;
• 500-850 mg 2-3 times/day – in combination therapy with insulin.

The exact dose of the drug is selected based on the level of glucose in the blood.

Dosage in children and adolescents:

• 500/850 mg once – initial dose, adjusted 2 weeks after blood sugar test;
• 2000 mg is the maximum dose, divided into 2-3 doses.

Dosage in the elderly:

• It is selected individually, taking into account the functionality of the kidneys, monitoring creatinine 2-4 times a year or more often.

The drug Glucophage is taken daily, without breaks, under the supervision of the attending physician. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are not observed even with a significant excess of the dose; there is a risk of developing lactic acidosis.

Release form and composition

Glucophage is available in tablet form:

• 500 or 850 mg: film-coated, white, biconvex, round, on a cross section - a homogeneous white mass (500 mg: 10 pieces in blisters, 3 or 5 blisters in a cardboard pack; 15 pieces in blisters, according to 2 or 4 blisters in a cardboard pack; 20 pcs in blisters, 3 or 5 blisters in a cardboard pack; 850 mg: 15 pcs in blisters, 2 or 4 blisters in a cardboard pack; 20 pcs in blisters, 3 or 5 blisters in a cardboard box);
• 1000 mg: film-coated, white, biconvex, oval, with a score on both sides and the inscription “1000” on one side; on the cross section - a homogeneous white mass (10 pieces in blisters, 3, 5, 6 or 12 blisters in a cardboard box; 15 pieces in blisters, 2, 3 or 4 blisters in a cardboard box).

1 tablet contains:

• Active substance: metformin hydrochloride – 500, 850 or 1000 mg;
• Auxiliary components (respectively): povidone – 20/34/40 mg; Magnesium stearate – 5/8.5/10 mg.

Film shell composition:

• Tablets of 500 and 850 mg (respectively): hypromellose – 4/6.8 mg;
• Tablets 1000 mg: pure opadry (macrogol 400 - 4.55%; hypromellose - 90.9%; macrogol 8000 - 4.55%) - 21 mg.

Overdose

There are known cases of exceeding the dosage of Glucophage by 40 times or more. However, no sharp decrease in blood sugar levels was observed in these people. However, lactic acidosis developed if patients were not provided with timely medical care. An overdose requires hospital treatment. Moreover, the person must be hospitalized as an emergency. To quickly remove the drug from the body, dialysis will be required; the rest of the treatment depends on the symptoms that occur in the victim

Glucophage and Glucophage Long - what is the difference?

Glucophage Long is a long-acting drug. The drug contains an active substance that begins to work a little later, but its effect time is increased.

It is impossible to answer the question which drug is better: Glucophage or Glucophage Long. Each of them is prescribed for a specific purpose. The long-acting drug is taken before bedtime to prevent a sharp jump in blood sugar levels in the morning. The drug Glucophage allows you to better control your glucose levels throughout the day.

Glucophage Long should be started with minimal dosages. If this method of treatment still leads to the development of diarrhea, then you need to switch to taking the drug Glucophage.

What to choose: Glucophage, Glucophage Long or Siofor?

Glucophage is an original drug based on metformin. However, you can find many of its analogues on sale, one of which is the drug Siofor. Glucophage has an affordable price, but Siofor is even cheaper. Therefore, if the issue of price is decisive in choosing a medicine, then preference should be given to analogues.

As for the drug Glucophage Long, it has a prolonged effect. Therefore, if Glucophage and Siofor cause severe diarrhea in a person, then you can switch to taking it. The tablets are taken before bed, which reduces the severity of side effects from the digestive system.

Can I exercise while taking the pills?

According to recent studies, physical activity while taking the medication is not contraindicated. At the end of the last century, there was an opposite opinion. The hypoglycemic agent caused lactic acidosis at increased loads.

Taking metformin-based drugs and concurrent exercise were prohibited.

First generation hypoglycemic drugs caused significant side effects, including the risk of lactic acidosis. This is a life-threatening condition in which lactic acid levels in the body reach high levels.

Excessive amounts of lactate are associated with a violation of acid-base metabolism in tissues and a lack of insulin in the body, the functions of which include the breakdown of glucose. Without immediate medical attention, a person in this state loses consciousness. With the development of pharmacological technologies, the side effects from the use of hypoglycemic agents have been reduced as much as possible.

It is worth noting the general recommendations that athletes follow to reduce lactic acid in the muscles:

• dehydration of the body should not be allowed;
• it is necessary to monitor proper breathing during training;
• training must be systematic, with mandatory breaks for recovery;
• the intensity of the load should increase gradually;
• if you feel a burning sensation in the muscle tissue, you should reduce the intensity of the exercises;
• nutrition should be balanced with an optimal content of vitamins and microelements, including magnesium and B vitamins;
• the diet should include the required amount of healthy fatty acids. They help break down lactic acid.

Benefits and harms

The drug can cause harm to the body only if a person takes it with contraindications. When they are not there, you don’t have to worry about your own health.

As for the benefits of the drug, it is undeniable. The drug allows you to keep type 2 diabetes under control and fight excess weight. In addition, taking Glucophage makes it possible to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, which protects a person from cardiovascular diseases.

Another advantage of the drug is that it reduces the likelihood of developing severe complications of diabetes, which makes it possible to prolong the life of such patients.

The medicine is time-tested. People have been treated with it for 50 years. This allows us to judge the absolute safety of the drug.

Long-term use of the drug can lead to the development of B12 deficiency anemia. Knowing this, the patient should take vitamin B12 in courses. This is done for preventive purposes.

Analogs

There are several direct and indirect analogues of Glucophage. The former are similar to the drug in terms of the active composition and active ingredients, the latter are similar in the effect they exhibit. On the shelves of pharmacies you can find the following drug substitutes produced in factories in Russia and abroad:

• Metformin;
• Siofor;
• Bagomet;
• Glycomet;
• Dianormet;
• Diaformin;
• Insufor;
• Langerin.

Application for weight loss

Glucophage, like other metformin-based drugs, can be used to treat obesity. It helps to get rid of excess weight not only in patients with diabetes, but also in healthy people. In this case, weight loss will occur without harm to health. At the same time, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels improve. This is confirmed by numerous reviews of people who used metformin drugs to treat obesity.

You should be prepared for the fact that the weight will not start to come off instantly. The first results can be assessed only a few weeks after the start of treatment. Also, you should not count on the fact that Glucophage will radically solve the problem of excess weight. With its help, you can only lose a few kilograms. Diet and an active lifestyle can improve results.

For obesity, the treatment regimen is no different from the treatment regimen for diabetes. The dosage of the drug in the initial stages of therapy should be 500-850 mg per day. You need to increase it gradually. The average weight is 2-3 kg, provided that the person continues to eat as before and does not increase his physical activity. Maximum weight loss is equivalent to 8 kg. To maintain the achieved result, you should take the drug on an ongoing basis. Otherwise, the lost kilograms will come back. For best results, it is recommended to follow a low carbohydrate diet.

Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to be absorbed by the body more quickly. When a person has high insulin levels, it blocks the process of breaking down fat cells and as a result, he begins to gain weight. The tissues themselves perceive insulin with difficulty. This condition is called insulin resistance.

Glucophage can partially eliminate this disorder by accelerating metabolic processes. As a result, the level of insulin in the blood returns to normal and the person begins to lose weight. This effect allows the drug to be used to combat excess weight and type 2 diabetes. The closer the insulin level is to normal values, the faster a person will get rid of obesity.

You need to understand that taking the drug Glucophage alone will not achieve significant weight loss. The best results can be obtained by combining diet with medication correction.

Price Glucophage 500

You can buy the drug via the Internet or pharmacy departments at a cost, the level of which is influenced by the trade margin, the concentration of the active substance in the tablets, and their quantity in the package. Approximate prices for tablets will be:

Side effects

The period of bearing a child and the period of breastfeeding.

Glucophage and Glucophage Long should not be taken during pregnancy. They are also not prescribed during lactation. However, at the stage of pregnancy planning, this drug can be used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

Sometimes it happens that a woman became pregnant, but until she found out about it, she continued to take the drug Glucophage. There is nothing dangerous in this, but the medication should be stopped during gestation.

At the beginning of therapy using the drug, the following symptoms are felt:

• Decreased appetite
• Metallic taste in the mouth;
• Diarrhea;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Flatulence;
• Hypovitaminosis of vitamin b12;
• Skin rash;
• Megaloblastic anemia;
• Lactic acidosis.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

Decompensated diabetes mellitus during pregnancy increases the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus and perinatal mortality. Limited evidence from clinical studies suggests that metformin use by pregnant patients does not increase the incidence of diagnosed malformations in newborns.

When planning pregnancy, as well as when pregnancy occurs during treatment with Glucophage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the drug must be discontinued. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are prescribed insulin therapy. Plasma glucose levels should be maintained as close to normal as possible to minimize the risk of congenital malformations in the fetus.

Metformin is detected in breast milk. No adverse reactions were observed in breastfeeding newborns while taking Glucophage. However, since information on the use of the drug in this category of patients currently remains insufficient, the use of metformin during lactation is not recommended. The decision to stop or continue breastfeeding is made after balancing the benefits of breastfeeding and the potential risk of adverse reactions in the child.

Interaction with other drugs

• Danazol – development of hyperglycemia, control over glycemic levels is needed;
• Chlorpromazine - development of hyperglycemia, decrease in the amount of insulin;
• Hormonal agents – risk of ketosis, development of hyperglycemia;
• Diuretics – risk of lactic acidosis;
• Insulin, Acarbose, salicylates - increased hypoglycemia.

When the drug is combined with alcohol, lactic acidosis occurs. The situation intensifies if a low-calorie diet is additionally used, fasting is practiced, or there is a history of liver failure.

Features of taking the drug Glucophage

Before starting treatment, you must read the instructions for the medicine. You must make sure that there are no contraindications to taking it. It is recommended to undergo tests in advance to ensure that taking the drug is possible and will not cause the development of serious side effects. This is especially true for the condition of the kidneys and liver. You can buy Glucophage at a pharmacy without a prescription.

The main side effect that develops while taking the drug is diarrhea and other disorders of the digestive system. To prevent this from happening, you need to start therapy with minimal dosages. During this period, the daily dose is equal to 500-850 mg. Be sure to take the medicine with food. The first time you can increase the dose no earlier than 10-15 days from the start of therapy. This is done only if the patient feels well. For the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, Glucophage Long is taken at a dosage of 2550 mg per day, and Glucophage at a dosage of 2000 mg. It is strictly prohibited to exceed these values.

If diabetes mellitus is difficult to correct and has a severe course, then it is possible to combine it with insulin injections. In this case, the insulin dose is reduced by 20-25%. If the dose of the hormone is not reduced, a person may develop hypoglycemia. Therefore, you need to combine Glucophage and insulin carefully. The dose is increased smoothly and under medical supervision.

Diet is the main component of diabetes treatment. If you do not follow the principles of low-carbohydrate nutrition, the effect of treatment with sugar-burning drugs and insulin injections will be minimal.

Does Glucophage cause addiction to the body?

After some time from the start of taking the drug Glucophage, the blood sugar level returns to normal and the person begins to lose weight. The drug makes it possible to keep weight and diabetes under control. The person begins to feel much better.

You need to understand that Glucophage only allows you to eliminate the symptoms of diabetes, but it cannot be cured. Therefore, it is necessary to combine treatment with diet and an active lifestyle.

If a person does not change his habits and continues to eat unhealthy foods, then over time the reserves of the pancreas will be completely depleted. As a result, sugar will begin to rise even while taking the medicine. Many Lyuli perceive this fact as an addiction to the body. However, the reason is completely different. A person destroys his own health. Eventually, even the most effective medications stop working.

Why take Glucophage Long before bed?

Taking Glucophage Long before bed allows you to control fasting blood sugar levels. As a result, the medicine will act throughout the night.

Glucophage is not suitable for these purposes, since its effect will end before morning comes. Therefore, Glucophage Long is prescribed to those people who experience a sharp jump in blood sugar in the morning. If its effect weakens during the day and your health begins to deteriorate, then treatment is supplemented with insulin injections. Compliance with this recommendation will help you maintain your health and prevent the development of complications of diabetes.

Diet and treatment

Patients with diabetes and obesity are recommended to follow a low-carbohydrate diet. It should be followed already at the stage of development of prediabetes. You need to stay away from foods that are sources of fast carbohydrates, sugars and preservatives. The menu should contain only proper and healthy food.

Treatment with Glucophage allows you to consolidate the results of dietary nutrition. If necessary, therapy is supplemented with insulin injections.

It is important to take into account that it is not enough to simply limit yourself to fats and calories. The reduction of carbohydrate foods is of fundamental importance. This is the only way to reduce blood sugar levels and get rid of the problem of obesity.

Glucophage and blood pressure

Glucophage does not lead to an increase in blood pressure; it even slightly enhances the effect of taking diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers. These medications are prescribed to hypertensive patients.

As practice shows, taking Glucophage allows you to keep blood pressure within normal limits. However, this cannot be achieved without a low-carb diet. It allows you to remove excess fluid from the body, eliminate swelling and enhance the effect of taking antihypertensive drugs. Often, treatment with Glucophage allows you to completely abandon therapy with drugs that lower blood pressure, since they are no longer necessary.

Is it possible to combine Glucophage with alcohol?

Glucophage does not imply complete abstinence from alcohol. A person can afford to occasionally drink a small portion of alcoholic beverages, but only if he has no other contraindications to this.

It is important that alcoholic drinks are taken in small doses. Failure to comply with this recommendation leads to the fact that a person develops lactic acidosis. Therefore, getting drunk while taking metformin is prohibited. If a person is not able to control himself, then he should give up alcoholic drinks altogether.

Alcohol compatibility

The official instructions for use of the drug Glucophage say that people being treated with this drug should avoid alcohol. However, taking metformin is compatible with drinking small amounts of alcohol. It's okay to have a drink or two to keep the company going, but getting too drunk is not advisable.

Why you should not drink a lot of alcohol while you are taking Glucophage:

1. Theoretically, deadly lactic acidosis can occur. This is unlikely, but you need to be warned.
2. Metformin increases the body's sensitivity to alcohol. If you drink, your chances of getting into some kind of trouble increase. This is a real danger.
3. While taking metformin, the hangover becomes more severe.

Despite the warnings, taking Glucophage and other metformin medications does not require you to lead a 100% sober lifestyle. This information makes many people happy. To treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, metformin must be taken for years without interruption, or even for life. A complete abstinence from alcohol would be an overwhelming requirement for many people. Fortunately, metformin is not like antibiotics in this regard.

Contraindications to drinking alcohol:

1. Alcohol addiction.
2. Stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, etc.
3. Serious liver and kidney diseases.

Read the article “Alcohol for Diabetes.” Find out which alcoholic drinks are okay and which ones are not. This information will be useful not only for diabetics, but also for those losing weight on a low-carb ketogenic diet. Watch also the video.

If the drug doesn’t work, what should you do?

If a person takes Glucophage for 1-2 months, but the blood sugar level does not return to normal, then you should consult a doctor. It is possible that he will recommend taking a thyroid hormone test. Hypothyroidism is often found in such patients. This will require additional treatment.

If the sugar level still does not decrease, this can only mean one thing - type 2 diabetes is severe, and the pancreas has completely exhausted its resources. The body no longer produces insulin, which requires injections. Otherwise, the person will simply die.

It is also known that for diabetics with low body weight, Glucophage does not help lower blood sugar levels. It is recommended that such patients begin insulin therapy immediately.

The main goal of treatment is to maintain sugar levels at a stable level of 4.0-5.5 mmol/l. If this norm cannot be achieved by taking the drug Glucophage, then insulin must be administered. You cannot refuse to use it. After all, serious complications of diabetes begin to develop after its level in the blood exceeds 6.0 mmol/l.