Main use Active ingredient Manufacturer
Type 2 diabetes  Metformin hydrochloride Merck Serono

How does it work?
Glucophage tablets and Glucophage SR tablets both contain theactive ingredient metformin hydrochloride. (NB. Metformin is also availablewithout a brand name, ie as thegeneric medicine.) Metformin is used to help controlblood sugar levels in people with type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes(NIDDM).

People with diabetes have a deficiency or absence of a hormoneproduced by the pancreas called insulin. Insulin is the main hormoneresponsible for the control of sugar in the blood. In type 2 diabetes thepancreas does not produce sufficient insulin and the cells of the body areresistant to the low levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Insulin wouldnormally make the cells remove sugar from the blood, hence in type 2 diabetesblood sugar levels can rise too high.

Metformin hydrochloride is a type of antidiabetic medicine knownas a biguanide. It works in a number of ways to decrease the amount of sugar inthe blood of people with type 2 diabetes.

Firstly, it reduces the amount of sugar produced by cells in theliver. Secondly, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin. Thisenables the cells to remove sugar from the blood more effectively. Finally, italso delays absorption of sugar from the intestines into the bloodstream aftereating. Overall, metformin reduces blood sugar levels both between and directlyafter meals.

Metformin is used as a first line treatment of type 2 diabetesin people who are overweight. It is used when diet and exercise have failed tocontrol blood sugar levels. It can also be used in combination with otherantidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood sugar.

Glucophage tablets are standard release tablets that are takentwo or three times a day either during or just after meals.

Glucophage SR tablets are prolonged release tablets that aredesigned to release metformin slowly and continuously over several hours. Thisproduces a steady blood level of the medicine throughout the day. The tabletsare designed to be taken once or twice a day with meals, depending on yourblood sugar control. They must be swallowed with water and not broken, chewedor crushed, as this would damage the prolonged release action.

What is it used for?
Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, when diet alone has failed to fully control blood sugar.
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 usually cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). However, you may get low blood sugar if you take metformin in combination with other antidiabetic medicines. If this applies to you, you should make sure that you are aware of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia (these may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache or nausea) and what to do if you experience these symptoms. Discuss this with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
Metformin can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood. It is more likely to occur in people with decreased kidney func