Glucophage SR

• Glucophage SR is a slow release preparation of the diabetes medication metformin
• Glucophage SR is often prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes, when changes to diet and exercise have not been enough to achieve normal blood sugar levels
• Glucophage SR is often taken once a day with the evening meal
• Glucophage SR can sometimes cause nausea (feeling sick) diarrhoea and stomach ache, but these will usually settle after a few days
• You will need regular check-ups with your doctor to make sure that Glucophage SR suits you and is helping to control your blood sugar levels
• It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and cautions.

Insulin is made by the pancreas, and helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable. If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or doesn’t respond well to the insulin that is being produced, your blood sugar levels can rise. If the blood sugar levels rise above the normal range, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus can be made.

Glucophage SR helps people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range. Glucophage SR also helps your body use the insulin that it does still make more effectively, helping to lower high blood sugar levels. 

Because Glucophage SR is a slow release preparation, most people only need to take it once a day with their evening meal. Slow, or sustained, release medications are helpful for reducing the number of tablets you need to take each day.

Glucophage SR is a tablet that should be swallowed with some water. The tablet should be taken when you eat your evening meal.

The usual starting dose of Glucophage SR is 500mg each evening. Around 2 weeks later your doctor should adjust the dose based on your blood sugar level readings. The maximum dose of Glucophage SR is 2000mg each evening. 

Your dose of Glucophage SR may depend on whether you take any other medications for diabetes. 

Elderly patients, or those with kidney disease, may require a lower dose of Glucophage SR.

Like all medications, Glucophage SR can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Feeling sick or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Reduced appetite
• A strange or metallic taste in your mouth.

These side effects are likely to settle down, but if they persist or are troublesome, you should speak to your doctor for further advice.

Occasionally, Glucophage SR can cause more serious side effects including:

• Severe tiredness with fast or shallow breathing
• Feeling cold or having a slow heartbeat
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Skin rashes
• Mouth ulcers, muscle weakness or changes to your vision.

If any of these side effects occur, you should speak to a doctor straight away.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Glucophage SR won’t cause low blood sugar, or a ‘hypo’ on its own, but if you are taking another diabetes medication such as gliclazide or insulin, you should be aware of the early signs of low blood sugar. These include:

• Feeling hungry
• Trembling or shaking
• Struggling to concentrate or feeling confused
• Sweating.

If a hypo occurs, you should eat or drink a fast acting carbohydrate such as sugary fruit juice, sweets or a sugar cube. If you still feel unwell, seek immediate medical advice.

Glucophage SR may not be suitable for everyone. You should tell your doctor if you:

• Have kidney disease or kidney failure
• Have heart failure or have recently had a heart attack
• Have alcohol dependence or drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week
• Have liver disease
• Have lung disease
• Are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.

Some medications can interact with Glucophage SR. You may be advised that Glucophage SR will not suit you if you already take:

• Medications for heart disease or high blood pressure
• Medications for kidney disease
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Some steroid medications
• Certain antibiotics
• Medications for indigestion or stomach ulcers.

Because Glucophage SR may not suit everyone, we will complete a Consultation with you including a health questionnaire. This will ensure that the medication will be suitable for you.

A qualified prescriber will review your current medications, including any herbal remedies or supplements, to ensure that Glucophage SR will not interact with them. 

Once prescribed, Glucophage SR will be ordered on your behalf via electronic prescription, allowing you to pick the medication up at your convenience.