APO-Metformin (Metformin 500mg) Tablets

APO-Metformin general information

What is APO-Metformin used for?

APO-Metformin tablets 500mg are an oral diabetes medication that is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non-insulin dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone, which is a particular problem in overweight people.  APO-Metformin tablets 500mg can be used as first time treatment for newly diagnosed diabetics, or for patients who are not responding to an alternative medication and can be used either alone or in combination with another oral antihyperglyacemic medication (lowers blood sugar).  In some cases, APO-Metformin is used in conjunction with insulin in type 1 diabetes (also called insulin-dependent diabetes), where insulin alone is not enough to control blood sugar levels. 

How does APO-Metformin work?

APO-Metformin tablets 500mg contain metformin hydrochloride, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication belonging to the biguanide group of drugs.  Metformin in APO-Metformin tablets 500mg controls blood glucose (sugar) by lowering levels of glucose after a meal (posprandial) as well as keeping levels normal between meals (basal levels), by helping the body respond to insulin without increasing insulin production.  Metformin in APO-Metformin tablets 500mg works using three different mechanisms: decreasing glucose production in the liver, which is normally switched off when blood glucose levels are high enough; increasing sensitivity to insulin in fat and muscle tissue, where excess glucose is removed from the blood and stored; reducing absorption of glucose from the diet by the intestines.  Maintaining glycaemic control with APO-Metformin tablets 500mg reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).   

What does APO-Metformin contain?

APO-Metformin tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient metformin hydrochloride, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus.  They also contain colloidal silicon dioxide, Hypromellose, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone, propylene glycol, purified talc, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide

Treating type 2 diabetes with APO-Metformin

APO-Metformin tablets 500mg contain metformin, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication that is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes), who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone, which is a particular problem in overweight people.  Metformin in APO-Metformin tablets 500mg lowers blood sugar after a meal (posprandial) as well as keeping levels normal between meals (basal levels), by helping the body respond to insulin without increasing insulin production, using three different mechanisms.  These are decreasing glucose production in the liver, which is normally switched off when blood glucose levels are high enough; increasing sensitivity to insulin in fat and muscle tissue, where excess glucose is removed from the blood and stored; reducing absorption of glucose by the intestines form the diet.  Maintaining glycaemic control with APO-Metformin tablets 500mg reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage). 

What are the side effects of APO-Metformin?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking APO-Metformin tablets 500mg include: gastrointestinal symptoms (such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting) which are usually mild and resolve spontaneously during continued treatment, metallic taste in the mouth and skin rash.  A rare and potentially life threatening side effect is lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the blood) that can occur due to accumulation of metformin, particularly if you are taking high doses of metformin above 2000mg per day, have kidney problems, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, are elderly.

When should APO-Metformin not be used?

You should not use APO-Metformin tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to metformin or any other biguanide or any ingredients in APO-Metformin
• have liver or kidney disease
• have a condition affecting renal function, like dehydration, severe infection or shock
• have diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic precoma
• have acute or chronic disease which may cause tissue hypoxia such as heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, shock, acute significant blood loss, sepsis, gangrene, pancreatitis
• have a history of lactic acidosis
• have a problem with alcohol
• are undergoing radiological treatment with intravascular iodinated contrast agents which may lead to renal failure, resulting in metformin accumulation and a risk of lactic acidosis
• are taking medications that may interact with APO-Metformin including: cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, medications for high blood pressure and heart conditions like nifedipine, beta-blockers, diuretics, other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas, corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone, anticoagulants have kidney or liver disease

What medications interact with APO-Metformin?

Several medications interact with APO-Metformin tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking APO-Metformin or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increase side effects with APO-Metformin: other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas, ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone
• Drugs that affect APO-Metformin: cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, medications for high blood pressure and heart conditions like nifedipine, beta-blockers, diuretics, thyroid medicines
• Drugs that are affected by APO-Metformin: anticoagulants

How should APO-Metformin be taken?

You should take your APO-Metformin tablets 500mg with a glass of water and with food.  The dose you take and how often should be as recommended by your doctor.  The usual starting dose is one tablet once, twice or 3 times daily during or immediately after a meal, to reduce stomach effects.  You will have your blood sugar levels monitored and your dose may be adjusted after a few weeks, depending on how well your blood sugar levels are controlled.  You should continue to take your APO-Metformin tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long periods.

How long should you take APO-Metformin?

You should continue to take your APO-Metformin tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long periods.

Missed dose of APO-Metformin

If you miss a dose of APO-Metformin tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should APO-Metformin be stored?

You should store your APO-Metformin tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.