About Metformin SR 500 mg Tablet
Metformin SR 500 mg Tablet contains Metformin 500 mg (SR). Metformin is a medicine used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. It is often the first medicine prescribed, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It can be used alone or with other diabetes medicines, including insulin. On its own, it does not usually cause low blood sugar.
Uses of Metformin SR 500 mg Tablet
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus, alone or with other diabetes medicines
Benefits
In type 2 diabetes
It helps keep blood sugar in a healthy range. Good sugar control over time lowers the risk of diabetes problems in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. It works best alongside diet, exercise and regular check-ups.
Side effects
Stomach side effects are common at first and often settle. Talk to your doctor if any side effect bothers you or does not go away.
Common
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain or upset
- Loss of appetite
- Metallic taste
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, fast or deep breathing, feeling very cold, weak or drowsy — may be lactic acidosis, a rare but serious problem; stop and seek emergency care
- Tiredness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet after long use — may be low vitamin B12; tell your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, with or right after meals. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush or chew the extended-release (SR) tablet.
How it works
Metformin lowers the amount of sugar made by the liver, helps the body respond better to its own insulin, and reduces the sugar absorbed from food.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It raises the risk of lactic acidosis and can affect blood sugar.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Diabetes in pregnancy needs close care. Your doctor will decide which treatment is best. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Small amounts pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it.
Driving Caution
On its own it rarely causes low blood sugar, but this can happen with other diabetes medicines. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or shaky.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor will check your kidney function. The dose may need lowering, and it must not be used in severe kidney disease.
Liver Unsafe
It is usually avoided in liver disease because of a higher risk of lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor about any liver problem.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it with your next meal if it is soon. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it with meals to reduce stomach upset.
- Tell your doctor before any scan using contrast dye or any surgery; you may need to stop it for a short time.
- Stop and call your doctor if you have severe vomiting, diarrhoea or are unable to eat or drink, as dehydration raises the risk of side effects.
- Keep up your diet, exercise and regular blood sugar checks.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Biguanide
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-diabetic
- Action class
- Biguanide (reduces liver glucose production)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Iodinated contrast dye used for scans | Can affect the kidneys and raise the risk of lactic acidosis; metformin may need to be stopped before the scan |
| Alcohol | Raises the risk of lactic acidosis |
| Steroid tablets and water tablets (diuretics) | Can raise blood sugar and affect kidney function |
| NSAIDs and some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs) | May affect kidney function; your doctor may monitor you |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Metformin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: metformin hydrochloride). Pharmacist review pending.