metformin

Brand names: ZITUVIMET

# Metformin Overview Metformin is a medication used to help control type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. It works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver makes and helping your body use insulin more effectively. Doctors often prescribe metformin as the first medicine to try when someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It comes in tablet form and is usually taken by mouth, one or more times a day with meals. When taking metformin, there are some important safety points to remember. You should not take it if you have severe kidney problems or certain metabolic conditions. While taking metformin, avoid combining it with certain other medicines, especially carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used for some eye conditions), since this combination can increase the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you take and monitor your health regularly. Common side effects may include stomach upset or nausea, but these often go away over time. If you have questions about whether metformin is right for you or how to take it safely, always talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 4 presents clinically significant drug interactions with ZITUVIMET: Table 4: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with ZITUVIMET Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors frequently cause a decrease in serum bicarbonate and induce non-anion gap, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Concomitant use of these drugs with ZITUVIMET may increase the risk for lactic acidosis. Intervention: Consider more frequent monitoring of these patients. Examples: Topiramate, zonisamide, acetazolamide or dichlorphenamide. Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT 2 ] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: C

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • NAUSEA29,224 reports
  • BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED27,329 reports
  • DIARRHOEA27,194 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE22,101 reports
  • FATIGUE20,851 reports
  • VOMITING18,771 reports
  • LACTIC ACIDOSIS18,407 reports
  • ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY17,472 reports
  • WEIGHT DECREASED17,203 reports
  • DYSPNOEA16,221 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with metformin:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.