Metformin hydrochloride tablets 250 mg for type 2 diabetes (Glucophage)

General information on Japanese Metformin hydrochloride tablets 250 mg for type 2 diabetes (Glucophage)

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. / Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. / Nipro Pharma Corporation, Japan

Active ingredients: metformin hydrochloride (chemical formula C4H12ClN5)

Medical effect: Metformin hydrochloride tablets are effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for pregnant, possibly pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use for patients with a history of lactic acidosis, with renal or liver dysfunction, cardiovascular disorder, pulmonary dysfunction, hypoxemia, dehydration, gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and vomiting, type 1 diabetes mellitus, infection, injury, pituitary malfunction or adrenal gland malfunction. Do not use for patients receiving dialysis (including peritoneal dialysis) or being in a state of ketosis, diabetic coma/precoma, malnutrition, starvation, debilitation or in a perioperative period.

This medicine cannot be used with excessive alcohol, before the test using iodinated contrast material, or within 2 days after it.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop taking the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication or receiving any other treatment, you have to consult with your doctor before use.

As this medicine may provoke the sudden dizziness, the patient should take care when working at heights, operating dangerous machinery, or driving a car.

Patient needs to follow the instructions of diet and exercise therapy. Patient’s family needs to be instructed about precautions of hypoglycemia.

Dosage and administration

For adults: start with 500 mg of the active ingredient a day, dividing this amount into 2 or 3 doses, immediately before meals or after meals. Then gradually increase the dosage up to the maintenance dose. The maintenance dose should be prescribed by doctor in charge depending on patient’s response to the treatment, but in general it’s 3-6 tablets (750-1,500 mg) a day, dividing into 2 or 3 doses. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to symptoms of the patient. The daily maximum dosage of 9 tablets (2,250 mg) should not be exceeded.

For children of 10 years old or more: start with 500 mg of the active ingredient a day, dividing into 2 or 3 doses, immediately before meals or after meals. Then gradually increase the dosage up to the maintenance dose. The maintenance dose should be prescribed by doctor in charge depending on patient’s response to the treatment, but in general it’s 2-6 tablets (500-1,500 mg) a day, dividing into 2 or 3 doses. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to symptoms of the patient. The daily maximum dosage of 8 tablets (2,000 mg) should not be exceeded.

Please note that this medicine contains 250 mg of the active ingredient in one tablet.

How effective are Metformin hydrochloride tablets 250 mg from Japan for type 2 diabetes (Glucophage)?

Metformin is a biguanide hypoglycemic agent. This medicine provides multiple effects on human body:

• Metformin hydrochloride tablets promote the degradation of glucose and glycogen,
• The sugar is intensively utilized in muscles,
• The production and release of sugar in the liver is suppressed,
• A positive effect is provided on gut microbiota,
• In most patients, an anorexiant effect is exerted, decreasing caloric intake.

As the result, Metformin hydrochloride tablets effectively reduce the sugar level in the blood.

Who should use Metformin hydrochloride tablets 250 mg from Japan?

Japanese Metformin hydrochloride tablets are used for the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is generally well tolerated and not associated with the weight gain. Studies showed that while it can be used together with other drugs, metformin alone is recommended as a first-line treatment for diabetes due to its significantly lower risk for hypoglycemia, congestive heart failure and bone fractures (W. L. Bennett, N. M. Maruthur et al. “Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Medications for Type 2 Diabetes: An Update Including New Drugs and 2-Drug Combinations”. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2011, 154(9): 602–613).