home > drugs a-z list > glumetza (metformin hcl) drug center > glumetza (metformin hcl) drug

Recommended Topic Related To:

Glumetza

Diabetes facts

  • Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
  • Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood glucose.
  • Absence or insufficient production of insulin causes diabetes.
  • The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent).
  • Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst and hunger as well as fatigue.
  • Diabetes is diagnosed by blood sugar (glucose) testing.
  • The major complications of diabetes are both acute and chronic.

    • Acutely: dangerously elevated blood sugar, abnormally low blood sugar due to diabetes medications may occur.
    • Chronically: disease of the blood vessels (both small and large) which can damage the eye, kidneys, nerves, and heart may occur

  • Diabetes treatment depends...

Glumetza

font size

GLUMETZA®
(metformin hydrochloride) Extended Release Tablet, Film Coated

DRUG DESCRIPTION

GLUMETZA (metformin hydrochloride) extended release tablet is an oral antihyperglycemic drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Metformin hydrochloride (N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide hydrochloride) is not chemically or pharmacologically related to any other classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents. The structural formula of metformin hydrochloride (metformin HCl) is as shown:

GLUMETZA® (metformin hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Metformin HCl is a white to off-white crystalline compound with a molecular formula of C4H11N5•HCl and a molecular weight of 165.63. Metformin HCl is freely soluble in water and is practically insoluble in acetone, ether, and chloroform. The pKa of metformin is 12.4. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution of metformin hydrochloride is 6.68. GLUMETZA (metformin hcl) tablets are modified release dosage forms that contain 500 mg or 1000 mg of metformin HCl. Each 500 mg tablet contains coloring, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and polyethylene oxide. Each 1000 mg tablet contains colloidal silicon dioxide, polyvinyl alcohol, crospovidone, glyceryl behenate, polyacrylate dispersion, hypromellose, talc, polyethylene glycol, eudragit, titanium dioxide, simethicone emulsion, polysorbate and coloring. GLUMETZA (metformin hcl) 500 and 1000 mg tablets both utilize polymer-based, oral drug delivery systems, which allow delivery of metformin HCl to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

What are the possible side effects of metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Riomet)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis: weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.

Stop using metformin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Glumetza »

What are the precautions when taking metformin hcl (Glumetza)?

See also Warning section.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to metformin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe breathing problems (such as obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), metabolic acidosis (such as diabetic ketoacidosis), blood problems (such as anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), kidney disease, liver disease.

Before having surgery or any X-ray/scanning procedure using injectable iodinated contrast material, tell your doctor that you are taking this medication. You...

Read All Potential Precautions of Glumetza »

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/6/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.

Glumetza - User Reviews

Glumetza User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Glumetza sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.