Many women who are TTC with PCOS have trouble with type II Diabetes as well.
We would like to suggest that this may not be a positive choice for you to make if you look over the side effects. Consider natural alternatives such as chromium, bitter melon and others found in Glucochrom ® by AIM International. Check under the AIM product section for more details.
We would like to suggest that use of a high fiber supplement and a low carb diet. These may be the answers to the problem rather than the cover for the symptoms.
Glucophage
Pronounced: GLEW-co-faje
Generic name: Metformin hydrochloride
Why is this drug prescribed
Glucophage is an oral anti-diabetic medication used to treat Type II(non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body provides unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in our 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.
Most important fact about this drug.
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.
How should you take this medication?
Do not take more or less of this medication than directed by your doctor. Glucophage should be taken with food to reduce the possibility of nausea or diarrhea, especially during the first few weeks of therapy.
If you miss a dose…
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next does, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions…
Store it at room temperature.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity , tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Glucophage.
If side effects from Glucopgage occur, they usually happen during the first few weeks of therapy. Most side effects are minor and will go away after you’ve taken Glucophage for awhile.
More common side effects may include:
Abdominal bloating, diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite, metallic or unpleasant
taste, nausea, vomiting.
Glucophage, unlike other oral anti-diabetics, does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, hypoglycemia remains a possibility, especially in older, weak, and undernourished people and those with kidney, liver, adrenal, or pituitary gland problems.The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals, alcohol, other medications,fever, trauma, infection, surgery, or excessive exercise. To avoid hypoglycemia, you should closely follow the dietary and exercise plan suggested by your physician. If you feel hypoglycemia coming on, get some fast-acting sugar, such as a 4 to 6 ounce glass of fruit juice.
Glycophage can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. This problem is most likely to occur in people whose liver or kidneys are not working well. Although the condition is rare, it can be fatal. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital.
Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include:
Feeling very week, tired, or uncomfortable, feeling cold, dizzy, or light headed,increasing sleepiness, muscle pain, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing,unexpected or unusual stomach discomfort.
If you notice these symptoms, stop taking Glucophage and call your doctor right away.
Why should this drug not be prescribed?
Avoid Glucophage if it has ever given you an allergic reaction.
Do not take Glucophage if you are suffering from acute or chronic metabolic acidosis,including diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin and marked by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, pain below the breastbone, and fruity breath).
You should not take Glucophage for 2 days before and after having an X-ray procedure with an injectable contrast agent (radioactive iodine). Also, if you are going to have surgery, except minor surgery, you should stop taking Glucophage. Once you have resumed normal food and fluid intake, you doctor will tell you when you can go back to therapy with Glucophage.
If you have kidney or liver disease or develop serious conditions such as a heart attack, severe infection, or a stroke, do not take Glucophage.
You should not take Glucophage if you are seriously dehydrated, having lost a large amount of fluid from severe vomiting, diarrhea, or high fever.
Special warnings about this medication:
Before you start therapy with Glucophage, and at least once a year thereafter, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function. If you develop kidney problems while on Glucophage, your doctor will discontinue this medication. If you are an older person, you will need to have your kidney function monitored more frequently, and your doctor may want to start you at a lower dosage.
If you are taking Glucophage, you should check your blood or urine periodically for abnormal sugar (glucose) levels. Your doctor will do annual blood checks to see if Glucophage is casing a vitamin B12 deficiency or any other blood problem.
It’s possible that drugs such as Glucophage may lead to more heart problems than diet treatment alone, or diet plus insulin. If you have a heart condition, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. The effectiveness of any oral antidiabetic, including Glucophage, may decrease with time. This may be due to either a diminished responsiveness to a medication or a worsening of the diabetes.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication:
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 a Calan, Isoptin, and Procardia
Cimetidine (Tagament)
Decongestant, airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Ventolin
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Furosemide (Lasix) and other diuretics
Isoniazid (Rifamate), a drug used for tuberculosis
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine
Morphine
Niacin (Slo-Niacin, Nicobid)
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilatin)
Procainamide (Procan SR)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Quinine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Thyroid hormones (Synthroid)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Trimpex)
Vancomycin (Vancocin HCI)
Do not drink to much alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low blood sugar and alcohol enhances some effects of this drug.
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 beast milk. Therefore, woman should discuss with their doctors whether to discontinue the medication or stop breastfeeding. If the medication is discontinued and if diet alone does not control glucose levels, then your doctor may consider insulin injections.
Recommended dosage:
Your doctor will tailor your dosage to your individual needs.
ADULTS
The usual starting does is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day, taken with morning and evening meals. Your doctor may increase your daily does by 500-milligrams at weekly intervals, based on your response. Daily doses of greater than 2500 milligrams are not recommended. An alternative starting does is one 800-milligram tablet a day, taken with the morning meal. Your doctor may increase this by 850 milligrams at 14-day intervals, to a maximum of 2550 milligrams a day.
The usual maintenance dose ranges from 1,500 to 2,550 milligrams daily.
OLDER ADULTS
Older people and those who are malnourished or in a weakened state are generally given lower doses of Glucophage because their kidneys may be weaker, making side effects more likely.
CHILDREN
The safety and effectiveness of Glucophage have not been established in children.
Over-dosage
An overdose of Glucophage can cause lactic acidosis. (See “What Side Effects May Occur?”) If you suspect a Glucophage overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.