Glucophage: General Characteristics
Glucophage is used to treat diabetes type II, or insulin-independent diabetes. Diabetes type II is essentially different from diabetes type I in the fact that the medical problem is usually not connected with the production of insulin by the pancreas, though sometimes it may be, but with the response of the cells to the insulin the body produces. In this context Glucophage is worked out as a medicine aimed at stimulating the body to react adequately to the insulin it produces. Basically, there are two types of Glucophage: Glucophage (metformin hydrochloride tablets) and Glucophage XR (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets). Both types have the same purpose to lower the amount of glucose in the blood by limiting its absorption and to stimulate your body to respond well to its own insulin without increasing the level of insulin production. In this respect the specific feature of Glucophage XR is that it works longer in the body.
It should be noted that Glucophage works best if you follow the general recommendations given to diabetes type II sufferers: that is keeping to a diet, doing regular exercises and monitoring your blood sugar levels. In case of glucose decompensation Glucophage can be used in conjunction with insulin and some other anti-diabetic oral medicines, but it is not designed for treating insulin-dependent type of diabetes.
The dosage of Glucophage is normally determined by your diabetes specialist and is liable to changes. Your doctor usually prescribes a minimum low dose and then increases it judging by your blood sugar levels. As a rule, it ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 milligrams a day. Most commonly standard Glucophage pills are taken two times a day together with meals. But the regime of taking this medicine can vary. The starting dose of Glucophage is usually 500 milligrams which are prescribed for taking two times a day, or 850 milligrams for taking once on a daily basis. If your dosage of Glucophage exceeds 2,000 milligrams, it is recommended to take the medicine in three doses. The average starting dose of Glucophage XR is also 500 milligrams. Glucophage XR admits of once-a-day intake, usually with the evening meal. It is advisable not to exceed the maximum dose of 2550 milligrams of either Glucophage or Glucophage XR a day.
There are a lot of factors that should be taken into consideration when adjusting an appropriate dose of Glucophage. That is why do not embark on changing your dose without a consultation with your diabetes specialist because it can lead to the development of a number of diabetic complications, the worst being the development and rapid aggravation of end-stage renal disease.
An important point to keep in mind in case you miss a dose is to try to take it as soon as possible. If you do not have an opportunity to take Glucophage till your next dose, it is better to try to take it as your next scheduled dose not breaking the established regime. Do not take two doses simultaneously because it can trigger hypoglycemia.