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Drug Notebook

Generic Name: metformin

View All Brands
Metformin Hydrochloride ER, Glucophage XR, Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, Metformin Hydrochloride, Riomet
A non-sulfonylurea - treats Diabetes Mellitus Type II
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FDA Alerts

  • Lactic acidosis rare but potentially fatal. Increased risk of lactic acidosis in patients with renal impairment, advanced age, metformin plasma concentrations >5 mcg/mL.
  • Generally has occurred in diabetic patients with severe renal insufficiency who frequently had concomitant medical and/or surgical problems and were receiving multiple drugs.
  • Periodically monitor renal function and use the minimum effective dosage. Withhold promptly in patients with any condition associated with hypoxemia, sepsis, or dehydration. Avoid use in patients with clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatic impairment. Discontinue therapy temporarily in patients undergoing surgery or receiving parenteral iodinated radiographic contrast media. Drugs that may affect renal function or alter metformin elimination should be used with caution.
  • Advise patients not to consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
  • If lactic acidosis occurs, discontinue metformin. Immediate hospitalization and treatment required.

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  • Lowers blood glucose concentrations in patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) without increasing insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. Ineffective in the absence of some endogenous or exogenous insulin.
  • Usually does not lower glucose concentrations below euglycemia, but hypoglycemia occasionally may occur with overdosage.
  • Lowers both basal (fasting) and postprandial glucose concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Improves insulin sensitivity by decreasing hepatic glucose production and enhancing insulin-stimulated uptake and utilization of glucose by peripheral tissues (e.g., skeletal muscle, adipocytes). Insulin secretion usually remains unchanged.

Advice to Patients

  • Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, dietary or herbal supplements, and alcohol consumption, as well as any concomitant illnesses (e.g., renal disease). Importance of avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.
  • Importance of adherence to diet and exercise regimens.
  • Possibility of primary and secondary failure with metformin therapy.
  • Risks of hypoglycemia, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemic reactions, and conditions that predispose to the development of such reactions.
  • Importance of regular laboratory evaluations, including fasting blood (or plasma) glucose determinations.
  • Risks of lactic acidosis and conditions that predispose to its development.
  • Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Metformin Hydrochloride
RoutesDosage FormsStrengthsBrand NamesManufacturer
OralSolution500 mg/5 mL

Riomet®

Ranbaxy
Tablets, film-coated500 mg*

Glucophage® (with povidone)

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Metformin Tablets

Alphapharm, Amneal, Aurobindo, Barr, Caraco, Watson
625 mgGoldline
750 mgGoldline
850 mg*

Glucophage® (with povidone)

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Metformin Tablets

Alphapharm, Amneal, Aurobindo, Barr, Caraco, Watson
1 g*

Glucophage® (with povidone)

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Metformin Tablets

Alphapharm, Amneal, Aurobindo, Barr, Caraco, Watson
Tablets, extended-release500 mg*

Fortamet®

First Horizon

Glucophage® XR®

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Glumetza® (with crospovidone)

Depomed

Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets

Actavis, Apotex, Barr, Cobalt, Impax, Watson
750 mg*

Glucophage® XR®

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets

Actavis, Apotex, Barr, Cobalt, Impax, Watson
1 g*

Fortamet®

First Horizon

Glumetza® (with crospovidone)

Depomed
* available generically
Metformin Hydrochloride Combinations
RoutesDosage FormsStrengthsBrand NamesManufacturer
OralTablets, film-coated250 mg with Glipizide 2.5 mg*

Metaglip®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
CorePharma, Teva
250 mg with Glyburide 1.25 mg*

Glucovance®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Actavis, CorePharma, Teva
500 mg with Glipizide 2.5 mg*

Metaglip®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
CorePharma, Teva
500 mg with Glipizide 5 mg*

Metaglip®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
CorePharma, Teva
500 mg with Glyburide 2.5 mg*

Glucovance®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Actavis, CorePharma, Teva
500 mg with Glyburide 5 mg*

Glucovance®

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Actavis, CorePharma, Teva
500 mg with Pioglitazone Hydrochloride 15 mg (of pioglitazone)

Actoplus Met® (with povidone)

Takeda
500 mg with Rosiglitazone Maleate 2 mg (of rosiglitazone)

Avandamet®

GlaxoSmithKline
500 mg with Rosiglitazone Maleate 4 mg (of rosiglitazone)

Avandamet®

GlaxoSmithKline
850 mg with Pioglitazone Hydrochloride 15 mg (of pioglitazone)

Actoplus Met® (with povidone)

Takeda
1 g with Rosiglitazone Maleate 2 mg (of rosiglitazone)

Avandamet®

GlaxoSmithKline
1 g with Rosiglitazone Maleate 4 mg (of rosiglitazone)

Avandamet®

GlaxoSmithKline
* available generically

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

Actoplus Met 15-500MG Tablets TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS30/$100.68 or 90/$272.7
Actoplus Met 15-850MG Tablets TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS30/$100.68 or 90/$275.84
Avandamet 1-500MG Tablets GLAXO SMITH KLINE60/$67.85 or 180/$189.32
Avandamet 2-1000MG Tablets GLAXO SMITH KLINE60/$129.99 or 180/$365.96
Avandamet 2-500MG Tablets GLAXO SMITH KLINE60/$139.99 or 180/$379.96
Avandamet 4-1000MG Tablets GLAXO SMITH KLINE60/$225.99 or 180/$649.96
Avandamet 4-500MG Tablets GLAXO SMITH KLINE60/$225.99 or 180/$629.96
Fortamet 1000MG 24-hour Tablets SCIELE PHARMA60/$233.53 or 180/$682.27
Fortamet 500MG 24-hour Tablets SCIELE PHARMA60/$107.96 or 180/$294.75
GlipiZIDE-Metformin HCl 2.5-500MG Tablets SANDOZ60/$74.99 or 180/$199.96
GlipiZIDE-Metformin HCl 5-500MG Tablets SANDOZ60/$63.99 or 180/$169.97
Glucophage 1000MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$131.85 or 180/$358.22
Glucophage 500MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$63.99 or 180/$169.97
Glucophage 850MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$105.87 or 180/$294.84
Glucophage XR 500MG 24-hour Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$63.99 or 180/$169.97
Glucovance 1.25-250MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$55.99 or 180/$151.97
Glucovance 2.5-500MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$79.99 or 180/$239.98
Glucovance 5-500MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)60/$85.99 or 180/$229.97
Glyburide-Metformin 1.25-250MG Tablets ACTAVIS MID ATLANTIC60/$39.99 or 180/$119.97
Glyburide-Metformin 2.5-500MG Tablets IVAX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.60/$45.99 or 180/$125.96
Glyburide-Metformin 5-500MG Tablets TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA100/$83.99 or 300/$246.69
Janumet 50-1000MG Tablets MERCK HUMAN HEALTH60/$183.19 or 180/$525.22
Janumet 50-500MG Tablets MERCK HUMAN HEALTH60/$184.25 or 180/$534.78
Metaglip 2.5-250MG Tablets B-M SQUIBB U.S. (PRIMARY CARE)30/$35.99 or 90/$90.97
Metformin HCl 1000MG Tablets MUTUAL PHARMACEUTICAL30/$17.99 or 60/$31.97
Metformin HCl 500MG 24-hour Tablets TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA90/$17 or 180/$21.01
Metformin HCl 750MG 24-hour Tablets TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA30/$32.99 or 90/$89.99
Riomet 500MG/5ML Solution RANBAXY PHARMACEUTICALS473/$87.98 or 1419/$250.03

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2008, Selected Revisions July 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Uses Dosage and Administration Cautions Drug Interactions Pharmacokinetics Stability Actions Advice to Patients Preparations
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