What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about METFORMIN AN. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist or diabetes educator.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking METFORMIN AN against the benefits it is expected for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist or diabetes educator.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What METFORMIN AN is used for
METFORMIN AN is used to control blood glucose (the amount of sugar in the blood) in people with diabetes mellitus.
METFORMIN AN can be used in type 2 diabetes in adults and children over 10 years of age. It is especially useful in those who are overweight, when diet and exercise are not enough to lower high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). For adult patients, METFORMIN AN can be used alone, or in combination with other oral diabetic medicines or in combination with insulin in insulin requiring type 2 diabetes.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why METFORMIN AN has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed METFORMIN AN for another reason.
METFORMIN AN is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that METFORMIN AN is addictive.
How METFORMIN AN works
METFORMIN AN belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. METFORMIN AN lowers high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) by helping your body make better use of the insulin produced by your pancreas.
People with type 2 diabetes are unable to make enough insulin or their body does not respond properly to the insulin it does make. This causes a build up of glucose in the blood, which can lead to serious medical problems.
Long-term hyperglycaemia can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney damage, poor blood circulation and gangrene.
Signs of hyperglycaemia may include:
- tiredness or lack of energy
- headache
- thirst
- passing large amounts of urine
- blurred vision.
Before you take METFORMIN AN
When you must not take it
Do not take METFORMIN AN if you are allergic to:
- Medicines containing Metformin (e.g. Diabex, Diaformin) or any other biguanide.
- Any of the ingredients listed toward the end of this leaflet.
- Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing; wheezing or shortness of breath.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if you have any of the following conditions:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus that is well controlled by insulin alone.
- Type 2 diabetes that is already well controlled by diet alone.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, in which substances called ketone bodies build up in the blood - you may notice this as an unusual fruity odour on your breath, difficulty breathing, confusion and frequent urination).
- Severe liver disease.
- Excessive alcohol intake, binge drinking, alcohol dependence.
- Kidney failure or severe kidney disease.
- Dehydratiion, severe blood loss, shock.
- A severe infection.
- Certain heart or blood vessel problems, including a recent heart attack or severe heart failure (when the heart fails to pump blood effectively).
- Severe breathing difficulties.
- Blood clots in the lungs (symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and a fast heart rate).
- Gangrene.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), symptoms include sever upper stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if you plan to have any X-ray procedures requiring an injection of iodinated contrast (dye).
Using this type of dye while you are taking METFORMIN AN may cause severe kidney problems and increase the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Your doctor will tell you when to temporarily stop taking the tablets before the X-ray and when it is safe to restart them.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The safety of METFORMIN AN in pregnant woman has not been established.
Insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Your doctor will replace METFORMIN AN with insulin while you are pregnant.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if you are breast feeding.
METFORMIN AN is not recommended while you are breast feeding. Your doctor will discuss the options available to you.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date it may not work as well.
Do not take METFORMIN AN if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking METFORMIN AN, ask your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, food, dyes or preservatives.
Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions.
Tell to your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Alcohol can affect the control of your diabetes. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while you are being treated with METFORMIN AN may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you start taking METFORMIN AN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by METFORMIN AN or may affect how well it works. These include:
- Other medicines used to treat insulin
- Medicines that contain alcohol, such as cough and cold syrups
- Danazol, a medicine used to treat endometriosis
- Repaglinide (Novonorm), another type of medicine used to treat diabetes
- Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure and some heart conditions, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors
- Medicines used to prevent blood clots such as warfarin (Coumadin, Marevan)
- Diuretics, also called fluid tablets
- Chlorpromazine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia and other mental illnesses
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation, such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam, maproxen or piroxicam
- Cimetidine, a medicine commonly used to treat reflux and ulcers
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone
- Some medicines used to treat asthma such as salbutamol or terbutaline
These medicines may be affected by Metformin AN or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking METFORMIN AN.
How to take METFORMIN AN
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in the leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How much to take METFORMIN AN
The dose varies from person to person. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.
The usual starting dose for adults is 500 mg one to two times a day. Your doctor may increase or decrease the dose, depending on your blood glucose levels. The maximum recommended dose is 1000 mg three times s day.
The elderly and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses.
Children and adolescents:
The usual starting dose for children from 10 years of age and adolescents is one tablet of 500 mg or 850 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase or decrease the dose, depending on your blood glucose levels.
The maximum recommended dose is 2 g taken as two or three divided doses.
If your child has diabetes that is resistant to insulin and is being treated in hospital, your child’s doctor will decide the dose.
How to take METFORMIN AN
Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
When to take METFORMIN AN
Take METFORMIN AN during or immediately after food.
This will reduce the chance of a stomach upset.
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effects. It will also help you remember when to take it.
How long to take METFORMIN AN for
Keep taking METFORMIN AN for as long as your doctor recommends.
METFORMIN AN will help control diabetes but will not cure it. Most people will need to take METFORMIN AN on long term basis.
If you forget to take METFORMIN AN
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (with food), and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much METFORMIN AN (Overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much METFORMIN AN, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much of METFORMIN AN, you may feel sleepy, very tired, sick, vomit, have trouble breathing and have unusual muscle pain, stomach pain or diarrhoea. These may be the early signs of a serious condition called lactic acidosis (build up of lactic acid in the blood).
You may also experience symptoms of Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). This usually only happens if you take too much of METFORMIN AN together with other medicines for diabetes or with alcohol.
If you experience any signs of hypoglycemia, raise your blood glucose quickly by eating jelly beans, sugar or honey, drinking a non-diet soft drink or taking glucose tablets.
While you are taking METFORMIN AN
Things you must do
Make sure that you, your friends, family and work colleagues can recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia & hyperglycaemia and know how to treat them.
HYPOGLYCAEMIA
METFORMIN AN does not normally cause hypoglycaemia, although you may experience it if you take other medicines for diabetes such as sulfonylureas or repaglinide; or if you also use insulin.
Hypoglycaemia can occur suddenly.
Initial signs may include:
- weakness, trembling or shaking
- sweating
- lightheadedness, dizziness, head ache or lack of concentration
- irritability, tearfulness or crying
- hunger
- numbness around the lips and tongue.
If not treated promptly, these may progress to:
- loss of co-ordination
- slurred speech
- confusion
- fits or loss of consciousness.
If you experience any of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, you need to raise your blood glucose immediately.
You can do this by doing one of the following:
- eating 5 to 7 jelly beans
- eating 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey
- drinking half a can of non-diet soft drink
- taking 2 to 3 concentrated glucose tablets.
Unless you are within 10 to 15 minutes of your next meal or snack, follow up with extra carbohydrates such as plain biscuits, fruit or milk.
Taking this extra carbohydrate will prevent a second drop in your blood glucose level.
HYPERGLYCAEMIA
If you notice the return of any of the signs of hyperglycaemia, contact your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may need to consider additional or other treatments for your diabetes.
The risk of hyperglycaemia is increased in the following situations:
- uncontrolled diabetes
- illness, infection or stress
- taking less METFORMIN AN than prescribed
- taking certain other medicines
- too little exercise
- eating more carbohydrates than normal.
Tell your doctor if you:
- become ill
- become dehydrated
- are injured
- have a fever
- have a serious infection
- are having surgery (including dental surgery).
Your blood glucose may become difficult to control at these times. You may also be more at risk of developing a serious condition called lactic acidosis. At these times, your doctor may replace METFORMIN AN with insulin.
Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking METFORMIN AN.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and Pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking METFORMIN AN.
If you become pregnant while taking METFORMIN AN, tell your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor if any of the following happen:
- You become ill
- You become dehydrated (for instance due to persistent of severe diarrhea or recurrent vomiting
- You are injured
- You have a fever
- You have a serious infection such as influenza, respiratory tract infection or urinary tract infection
- You are having major surgery
- You have an examination such as an X-ray or a scan requiring an injection of an iodinated contract agent (dye)
Your blood glucose may become difficult to control at these times. You may also be more at risk of developing a serious condition called lactic acidosis. At these times, your doctor may replace METFROMIN AN with insulin.
Visit your doctor regularly for check ups.
Your doctor may want to perform blood tests to check your kidneys, liver, heart and vitamin B12 level while you are taking METFORMIN AN.
Check your blood glucose levels regularly.
This is the best way to tell if your diabetes is being controlled properly. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how and when to do this.
When you start treatment with METFORMIN AN, it can take up to two weeks for your blood glucose levels to be properly controlled.
Carefully follow the advice of your doctor and dietician on diet, drinking alcohol and exercise.
Things you must not do
Do not skip meals while taking METFORMIN AN.
Do not stop taking METFORMIN AN or change the dose without checking with your doctor.
Do not give METFORMIN AN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use METFORMIN AN to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
If you have to be alert, for example when driving be especially careful not to let your blood glucose levels fall too low.
Low blood glucose levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Drinking alcohol can make this worse. However, METFORMIN AN by itself is unlikely to affect how you drive or operate machinery.
If you become sick with a cold, fever or flu, it is very important to continue eating your normal meals.
Your diabetes educator or dietician can give you a list of foods to eat on sick days.
When you are traveling, it is a good idea to:
- wear some form of identification (e.g. bracelet) showing you have Diabetes.
- carry some form of sugar to treat hypoglycaemia if it occurs, for example, sugar sachets or jelly beans.
- carry emergency food rations in case of a delay, for example, dried fruit, biscuits or muesli bars.
- bring enough METFORMIN AN with you, so you don't miss any doses.
Lifestyle measures that help reduce heart disease risk.
By following these simple measures, you can further reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Quit smoking and avoid second hand smoke
- Limit alcohol intake
- Enjoy healthy eating by:
- Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit
- Reducing your standard fat intake (eat less fatty meats, full fat dairy products)
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking METFORMIN AN.
METFORMIN AN helps most people with diabetes but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side affects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- stomach pain
- taste disturbance
- loss of appetite
- skin reactions such as redness of the skin, itching or an itchy rash (utricaris)
These are generally mild side effects which disappear after the first few weeks. Taking METFORMIN AN with meals can help reduce nausea and diarrhoea. Skin rash has been reported rarely.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY OR GO TO ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AT THE NEAREST HOSPITAL IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OF LACTIC ACIDOSIS (BUILD UP OF LACTIC ACID IN THE BLOOD):
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- trouble breathing
- feeling weak, tired or generally unwell
- unusual muscle pain
- sleepiness
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shivering, feeling extremely cold
- slow heart beat.
LACTIC ACIDOSIS IS A VERY RARE BUT SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT REQUIRING URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION OR HOSPITALISATION.
ALTHOUGH RARE, IF LACTIC ACIDOSIS DOES OCCUR, IT CAN BE FATAL. THE RISK OF LACTIC ACIDOSIS IS HIGHER IN THE ELDERLY, THOSE WHOSE DIABETES IS POORLY CONTROLLED, THOSE WITH PROLONGED FASTING, THOSE WITH CERTAIN HEART CONDITIONS, THOSE WHO DRINK ALCOHOL AND THOSE WITH KIDNEY OR LIVER PROBLEMS.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Some side affects (e.g. reduced vitamin B12 level) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.
After taking METFORMIN AN
Storage
Keep the medication where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking METFORMIN AN, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
METFORMIN AN 500mg is presented in blister packs of 30 & 100 and bottles of 100.
METFORMIN AN 850mg is presented in blister packs of 20 & 60 and bottles of 100.
METFORMIN AN 1000mg is presented in blister packs of 20 & 90 and bottles of 100.
- METFORMIN AN 500mg (Blister: AUST R 180434; Bottle: AUST R 180446)
White, biconvex, circular shaped, film coated tablets with ‘A’ debossed on one side and ‘60’ debossed on the other side. - METFORMIN AN 850mg (Blister: AUST R 180436; Bottle: AUST R 180442)
White, biconvex, circular shaped, film coated tablets with ‘A’ debossed on one side and ‘61’ debossed on the other side. - METFORMIN AN 1000mg (Blister: AUST R 180431; Bottle: AUST R 180440)
White, biconvex, oval shaped, film coated tablets with a score line in between ‘6’ and ‘2’ on one side and ‘A’ debossed on the other side.
Ingredients
Active ingredients
Metformin hydrochloride
Each tablet contain either 500, 850 or 1000 mg of Metformin hydrochloride.
Inactive ingredients
- Povidone
- Magnesium stearate
- Opadry YS-1R-7006 (PI-ARTG No. 13068).
Name and Address of the Sponsor
Scentia Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
8 - 12 Ordish Road
Dandenong South,
VIC - 3175
Australia
Date of Preparation
December 2013