What You Need to Know About Glucophage
Many Americans struggle with type II diabetes. There are many medications to treat this condition and if you are considering Glucophage, you should learn all you can about it.
What is Glucophage?
Glucophage is sold in the United States by Bristol-Meyers Squibb to treat type II diabetes. Glucophage is the brand name for metformin, which is the generic name. 1
A brand name drug usually is patented for a certain number of years so no other companies can make it. Therefore, companies can charge a lot more since it’s the only one of its kind. However, after the patent expires, other companies can make the exact same drug because it’s now “off patent,” and this is called the generic version. Generic drugs when available are usually a lot cheaper – sometimes hugely cheaper – and are the same medication as the brand name. (Of course, the companies making the expensive brand name would like you to keep buying theirs despite this!)
Metformin is an alternative to insulin-based treatments for type II diabetes.
Does metformin (Glucophage) work?
Metformin was chosen as one of Consumer Reports' Best Buy Drugs based on a comparison of its effectiveness, safety, side effects, dosing and cost. 2
Metformin lowers HbA1c (a test used to measure blood sugar levels) at the same amount or better than other diabetes drugs, without the side effects of other medications. 3
Metformin doesn’t cause weight gain, a common side effect of other diabetes medications. This side effect can be fairly serious for patients with type II diabetes, as they may need to lose weight to treat their condition. 4
Metformin is moderately priced compared to other medications and is least expensive as a generic drug. A one-month supply of twice daily Glucophage may average approximately $76.00. A one-month supply of twice daily metformin may average $14.00. 5
What should I go over with my doctor before I decide to take metformin?
Metformin has one rare, very serious potential side effect: death from lactic acidosis—a condition in which lactic acid builds up in the blood and can’t be processed out of the body. 6
In one study, the incidence of lactic acidosis was 10 cases in 11,797 participants. 7
This rare risk seems greatest for patients with pre-existing kidney and heart health issues.2
More common but less serious side effects can include bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea and are more frequent with metformin than other medications.2
What can I do if I am worried about Glucophage (metformin)?
Never stop taking a prescription medication without talking to your doctor first. Some medications may have adverse affects if you stop taking them suddenly and may even be dangerous to suddenly stop taking. Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects or are concerned about Glucophage.
Learn everything you can about Glucophage before you start taking it.
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1 Food and Drug Administration, Glucophage Final Printed Labeling, (revised January 2001, retrieved 22 August 2012), http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2000/20357S019_Glucophage_prntlbl.pdf
2 Consumer Reports, “Best Buy Drugs, The Oral Diabetes Drugs, Treating Type 2 Diabetes, Comparing Effectiveness, Safety, and Price,” (February 2009) http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/DiabetesUpdate-FINAL-Feb09.pdf
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 National Institutes of Health, A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, “Lactic Acidosis” (reviewed 28 October 2008, retrieved 22 August 2012), http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001428/
Consumer Reports, “Best Buy Drugs, The Oral Diabetes Drugs, Treating Type 2 Diabetes, Comparing Effectiveness, Safety, and Price,” (February 2009) http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/DiabetesUpdate-FINAL-Feb09.pdf
7 American Diabetes Association, Stang M, “Incidence of lactic acidosis in metformin users,”
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/22/6/925