Metformin Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• You should stop this medicine for 2 days after an x-ray with dye.

• Use caution if you are having surgery, if you have a heart attack, severe infection, or stroke, or if you are 80 years of age or older and have not had your kidney function tested.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Not hungry.

• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.

• Blood acidity (lactic acidosis) may rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.

• Severe dizziness.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Feeling cold.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Severe muscle pain or weakness.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.