Glucophage, is an oral anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes (formerly "adult-onset"). Glucophage /Metformin is not used to treat type 1 (insulin- dependent) diabetes (formerly "juvenile-onset").

Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin. Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. Glucophage is also used alone as a stand alone medication.

Standard Glucophage tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing. Metformin is used on an experimental basis in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition of multiple cysts in the ovaries that can lead to infertility in women.

Glucophage XR /Metformin helps your body to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers glucose levels in blood by reducing the amount of glucose made by the liver and by increasing the removal of glucose from the blood by muscle and fat tissues. Diabetes results because of reduced production of insulin and reduced uptake (and effects) of insulin on the body's tissues.

Glucophage XR (Metformin) acts by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, fat, and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin. These actions lower the level of sugar in the blood. Glucophage XR/ Metformin therefore decreases the absorption of sugar or "glucose" by the intestines, decreases the production of sugar in the liver, and also increases the body's ability to use insulin.

Unlike glucose-lowering drugs of the sulfonylurea class, e.g. glyburide (Micronase; Diabeta) or glipizide (Glucotrol), Glucophage XR (metformin) does not increase the concentration of insulin in the blood and, therefore, does not cause excessively low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) when used alone.

In scientific studies, Glucophage XR (metformin) reduced the complications of diabetes such as heart disease, blindness and kidney disease.

Metformin was approved by the FDA in December of 1994.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Glucophage should not be taken during pregnancy. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe insulin injections instead.

It is not known whether Glucophage appears in human breast milk. Therefore, women should discuss with their doctors whether to discontinue the medication or to stop breastfeeding. If the Glucophage medication is discontinued and if diet alone does not control glucose levels, then your doctor may consider insulin injections.

Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin.

If Glucophage is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Glucophage with the following:

Amiloride (Moduretic), Calcium channel blockers (heart medications) such as Calan, Isoptin, and Procardia, Cimetidine (Tagamet), Decongestant, airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Ventolin, Digoxin (Lanoxin), Estrogens such as Premarin, Furosemide (Lasix), Isoniazid (Rifamate), a drug used for tuberculosis, Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine, Morphine, Niacin (Niaspan), Oral contraceptives, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), Quinidine (Quinidex), Quinine, Ranitidine (Zantac), Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone), Thyroid hormones (Synthroid), Triamterene (Dyazide, Dyrenium), Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), Vancomycin (Vancocin), Water pills (diuretics) such as HydroDIURIL, Dyazide, and Moduretic.

Do not drink too much alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low blood sugar and alcohol enhances some effects of Glucophage.

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