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Metformin Hcl
Molecular Structure
Metformin Hcl
Molecular Weight 165.62
CAS number
1115-70-4]
ATC code A10BA02
A10BD02 (with sulfonylureas)
A10BD03 (with rosiglitazone)
A10BD05 (with pioglitazone)
A10BD07 (with sitagliptin)
A10BD08 (with vildagliptin)
PubChem 4091
DrugBank APRD01099
Chemical data
Formula C4H11N5
Mol. mass 129.164 g/mol
165.63 g/mol (hydrochloride)
Synonyms 1,1-dimethylbiguanide
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 50 to 60% under fasting conditions
Metabolism None
Half life 6.2 hours
Excretion Active renal tubular excretion by OCT2
Metformin HCl is a medication that is often
prescribed to treat diabetes. It is used for decreasing blood sugar levels
in people with type 2 diabetes. Metformin HCl is an abbreviation for
metformin hydrochloride.
The medication works in several ways. It reduces the amount of sugar made by
the liver, limits the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet,
and makes insulin receptors more sensitive (helping the body respond better
to its own insulin). All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar
levels.
Metformin HCl is typically taken one to three
times a day and comes in several forms and strengths. It comes in tablet
form, two different long-acting forms, and a liquid version.
Using Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see Diabetes Types). It
is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With
insulin resistance, the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as well
as they normally should. As a result, the cells of the body do not remove
sugar from the blood very well. This is why type 2 diabetics have high blood
sugar.
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including
diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease
(see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully
understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play an important
role.
There are many ways to treat high blood sugar in people with type 2
diabetes. Some diabetes medications force the pancreas to produce more
insulin (see Alternatives to Metformin). These medications are effective,
but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Metformin works
differently, having several effects in the body. The drug lowers blood sugar
by the following actions:
- Decreasing the amount of sugar (glucose)
made by the liver
- Decreasing the amount of sugar absorbed
into the body (from food)
- Making insulin receptors more sensitive,
helping the body respond better to insulin.
Because metformin does not force the pancreas to
produce more insulin, it is much less likely to cause dangerously low blood
sugar levels compared to many other diabetes medications (see Metformin and
Blood Sugar).
An Overview of Metformin Dosage Information
The dose of metformin or metformin ER your healthcare provider prescribes
will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- How well your diabetes is controlled
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be
taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage
unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Metformin Dosing for Type 2 Diabetes
For regular (not long-acting) metformin, the dosing varies with age, as
follows:
Age 10 to 16 -- The recommended starting dose is
metformin 500 mg twice daily. The maximum dose for people in this age group
is metformin 2000 mg total per day, divided into two or three doses.
Age 17 and over -- The recommended starting dose is metformin 500 mg twice
daily or 850 mg once daily. The maximum dose for people in this age group is
2550 mg total daily, divided into two or three doses per day.
For the long-acting form, metformin ER, the
starting dose is metformin ER 500 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is
metformin ER 2000 mg once daily (or metformin ER 1000 mg twice daily).
Metformin Dosing With Insulin
The recommended starting dose of both metformin and metformin ER for
people taking
insulin is 500 mg once daily. The maximum total daily dose for people taking
insulin is 2500 mg for metformin and 2000 mg for metformin ER. Usually, when
adding metformin to insulin, you should continue with your normal insulin
dose.
Metformin Overdose
As with any medication, it is possible to overdose on metformin. Some of the
effects of a metformin overdose may include low blood sugar or lactic
acidosis. Symptoms of low blood sugar include blurred vision, shakiness, and
extreme hunger. Some symptoms of lactic acidosis can include an irregular
heartbeat, trouble breathing, and feeling tired. There are some treatment
options for a metformin overdose, including dialysis or using a sugar
solution to increase blood sugar levels.
Metformin Overdose: An Overview
Metformin is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type
2 diabetes. As with all medicines, it is possible to take too much metformin.
Effects of a metformin overdose will vary depending on a number of factors,
including how much metformin was taken and whether it was taken with any
other medicines, alcohol, and/or drugs.
If you happen to overdose on metformin, seek
medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of a Metformin Overdose
The effects of a metformin overdose may include:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Lactic acidosis (see Metformin and Lactic
Acidosis).
Possible symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Extreme hunger
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Blurry vision.
More severe low blood sugar symptoms include:
- Changes in behavior, such as irritability
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Loss of life.
Lactic acidosis symptoms include:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Muscle pain
- Trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Feeling cold
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- A slow or irregular heartbeat
- Loss of life.
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