Met-A-Day

Each extended-release tablet contains: Metformin hydrochloride 1 g.

Pharmacology: Mechanism of Action: Metformin acts primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production and increasing peripheral glucose uptake. Insulin production is not affected and so hypoglycaemia as a side effect does not occur. Metformin does not cause weight gain and so is the treatment of choice for obese patients. Metformin HCl is equally in the non-effective. It induces comparable effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA) levels to the sulphonylureas. Metformin HCl has a favorable effect on plasma lipids and the homeostatic mechanism. Metformin HCl does not stimulate insulin release but does not require that some insulin be present for it to exert a hypoglycemic effect. Possible mechanisms of action include delay in the absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, an increased in insulin sensitivity and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Metformin HCl does not usually lower blood-glucose concentrations in non-diabetic subjects.
Pharmacokinetics: Metformin hydrochloride is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It has plasma half-life of about 3 hours and is not bound to plasma proteins. Metformin HCl is excreted unchanged in the urine. Its hypoglycemic action lasts 6-8 hours.

Diet-failed, non-insulin dependent, diabetes mellitus patients, especially if overweight, alone as initial therapy by the physician.

1 tablet twice daily (taken with or after meal) or as prescribed by the physician.

Metformin HCl is contraindicated in renal impairment and liver failure because of an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Renal impairment may also predispose patients to lactic acidosis. Regular renal and hepatic monitoring is essential.
Drug interactions involve drugs also excreted by the renal tubular pathway (e.g. Amiloride, Cimetidine, Digoxin, Morphine, Procainamide, Quinidine, Vancomycin, Trimethoprim). Cimetidine may increase Metformin levels by up to 50%.

Metformin should not be used in patients with heart failure, dehydration, acute or chronic alcoholism, or any other conditions likely to predispose to lactic acidosis.

Use of Metformin HCl is not recommended.

Gastrointestinal adverse effects including anorexia, nausea and diarrhea may occur and is dose dependent. These effects can be limited by administering with food and starting with a low dose (500 mg once or twice daily), then slowly titrating the dose upwards according to the clinical response. Patients may experience a metallic taste and there may be weight loss. Absorption of various substances including Vitamin B12 may be impaired. Hypoglycemia is less than of a problem with Metformin than with the sulfonylureas.
Lactic acidosis is rare and occurs predominantly in patients with renal impairment.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.

Antidiabetic Agents

A10BA02 - metformin ; Belongs to the class of biguanides. Used in the treatment of diabetes.

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