Metformin 500 MG Tablet: Know All About Generic Medicine For Diabetes Patients

Last updated on September 30th, 2022

People with diabetes need proper care and medications to live a healthy life. Negligence to their health can give them serious health complications and sometimes prove fatal for their life. Lifestyle modification is a great help to control blood sugar levels. However, many people with diabetes need medications to keep their blood sugar levels in control. Several medicines are available in the market, Metformin 500 MG tablet is the most common, effective, and safe medication.

About Metformin 500 MG Tablet

It is a prescription drug that treats high blood sugar levels due to diabetes mellitus or diabetes type-2. Metformin 500 MG tab is ideal for people with type-2 diabetes. It is not suitable for patients who are insulin-dependent or have diabetes type-1. The reason is that pancreas does not produce insulin in such patients. The insulin injections control their blood glucose levels. However, sometimes doctors prescribe Metformin together with insulin and other medications.

Metformin 500 MG Tablet

It is available in different dosages. Metformin 500 mg is the lowest dose that is effective in controlling blood sugar levels. When your diabetes test shows your blood sugar levels on the higher side, your doctor may prescribe Metformin 500 mg tablet in the starting. It helps them to know how your body is responding to this medicine. It also helps them to know if there is a need to increase your dosage. If your blood sugar levels get normal, with a 500 mg dose, the doctor may continue this drug.

Also Read: How to Lower Blood Sugar?

Working of Metformin 500 MG Tablet

Glucose or blood sugar is a vital source of energy in the body. You get glucose from the food you eat, and the liver also produces it in your body. When the carbohydrates from your food convert into glucose, insulin moves the glucose in your bloodstream for energy. However, people with diabetes type-2 are not able to use insulin which makes their body insulin resistant. Metformin increases the sensitivity of the muscle cells to insulin to reduce their blood sugar levels.

Also Read: Glycomet GP 1 Tablets Uses, Side Effects and Safety Advice For Diabetics

Metformin 500 MG Tablet Interaction

Drug interaction is the reaction between two or more drugs or between drugs and food. It changes the action of the drugs or medication. Sometimes, it increases the risk of serious side effects. Metformin also interacts easily. Thus, you need to learn about Metformin 500 mg Interactions.

1. Metformin interaction with drugs: There are at least 74 drugs with which Metformin interacts in moderation. Also, there are at least 87 different drugs that have mild interaction effects with Metformin. Some of the drugs that easily interact with Metformin include:
   • Cationic drugs
   • Aspirin
   • Blood pressure drugs
   • Cholesterol drugs
   • Topiramate
   • Hormone drugs
   • Tuberculosis drugs
   • Thyroid drugs
   • Phenothiazines
   • Glaucoma drugs
2. Metformin interaction with food/beverages: People with diabetes type-2 who take Metformin 500 to control their blood sugar levels should avoid alcohol. Alcohol impairs the ability of the liver to store and release blood glucose. Therefore, patients taking Metformin should avoid alcohol.

Side Effects of Metformin 500 MG Tablet

In some cases, Metformin can cause side effects. Therefore, the patients should avoid taking Metformin in certain conditions. Some significant side effects of Metformin include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Acidity and gas
• Heartburn

These are the mild side effects that may go away on their own within a few days. If these side effects turn severe, you can consult your doctor.

Apart from the mild side effects, there are some serious side effects of Metformin. These include:

• Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar levels)
• Lactic Acidosis

In case of serious side effects, do not ignore the symptoms and immediately take help from your doctor.

Also Read: Glycomet GP2 Tablet Uses, Side Effects, and Safety Advice 

Metformin and Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar levels)

Hypoglycemia is one of the most common but serious side effects of anti-diabetes medications. It can occur as a side effect of Metformin 500 mg as well. However, it is rare with Metformin 500 mg. It happens because Metformin does not increase insulin levels in your body. Hypoglycemia generally occurs if you are taking some other medications along with Metformin. Following are the symptoms of hypoglycemia that you may experience while taking Metformin with other medicines:

• Sudden sweating
• Shaking
• Fast heartbeat
• Hunger
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Tingling hands/feet

When you experience the mentioned symptoms or your blood glucose test level is between 55 mg/dL and 70 mg/dL, you have hypoglycemia. To treat hypoglycemia, you can drink around 15-20 grams of glucose or a sugary solution. It will help you to treat your low blood sugar levels within 15 minutes. If it doesn’t work, contact your doctor for quick medication. Lack of treatment for hypoglycemia can result in seizures or develop brain damage.

Also Read: Janumet 50 mg / 500 mg Tablet to Control High Blood Sugar Levels

Metformin and Lactic Acidosis

Lactic Acidosis is a rare but critical side effect of Metformin therapy. The estimated mortality rate of Metformin-induced Lactic Acidosis is 50%. Lactic Acid formation takes place in your body when you take Metformin. When your body produces lactic acid but cannot mobilize quickly, it results in Lactic Acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include:

• Feeling Dizzy
• Feeling Cold In Your Hands Or Feet
• Nausea Or Vomiting
• Slow Or Irregular Heartbeat
• Muscle Pain
• Lethargy
• Trouble Breathing
• Stomach Ache

People more than 60 years of age or who have heart, liver, or kidney impairment are at a high risk of developing lactic acidosis. Also, people who have undergone any surgery and are under the alcohol intoxication process can develop lactic acidosis. It is temporary in some people, while other diabetes patients may have to live with it for a long time. Intravenous fluid to promote circulation, oxygen with a face mask, vitamin therapy, and hemodialysis with bicarbonate are the treatment for Lactic Acidosis.

Metformin Dosage For Diabetes Type-2 Patients

The dosage of Metformin differs from one person to another depending upon their:

• Age
• Blood sugar levels
• Sex
• Chronic illness
• Other medications

1. Metformin for Adults: For the adult, the initial dose of Metformin 500 mg pills is twice a day. Take the medicines after the meals to control your blood sugar levels. Depending upon your body’s tolerance level, your doctor can later change the dosage. Your doctor can increase 500 mg of dosage per week to control your diabetes without side effects. The maximum permitted dosage of Metformin 500 is 2550 mg per day.
2. Metformin for Children: Metformin is not suitable for children below 10 years of age. However, children above 10 years to 18 years of age and suffering from diabetes can take this medicine. However, they should take Metformin under the strict supervision of a doctor. It helps them to control their blood glucose levels without any side effects. The initial dose for the children is 500 mg twice a day. The dosage later increases to 500 mg per week. The maximum dosage for children is 2000 mg per day.

Also Read: What is normal blood sugar level?

When to Stop Using Metformin 500 MG Tablet

Although Metformin has rare severe side effects still, patients should be cautious using Metformin. You should avoid taking Metformin 500 immediately in the following conditions:

• Elder people: People above 60 years of age should take Metformin only after consultation with the doctor. Ensure that they don’t have any kidney-related issues and should be given in case of emergency only. This medicine is strictly not for people above 80 years of age.
• Liver diseases: Patients suffering from liver diseases can develop serious health problems due to Lactic Acidosis. It is a rare but serious side effect of Metformin. There are some medications for liver diseases that easily interact with Metformin and give additional health complications. Thus, avoid Metformin for patients with liver diseases.
• Heart issues: Any heart-related health issue can get worse due to Lactic Acidosis. Thus, avoid taking Metformin. If you need to take Metformin, you need to consult with your doctor and stop taking medicines for heart diseases.
• Kidney issues: Patients suffering from mild to moderate kidney disease should avoid Metformin. They can get the eGFR test done before taking Metformin. If the test value is less than 30mL/min/1.73m2 then stop Metformin immediately.
• Diabetes Ketoacidosis: The production of Lactic Acid in your body while you are already having diabetes ketoacidosis can make your health worse. Therefore, avoid Metformin if you are suffering from diabetes ketoacidosis or on its medication

Also Read: Metformin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions

FAQs:

References:

1. https://diabetestalk.net/diabetes/metformin-500-mg-vs-1000-mg
2. https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_metformin/drugs-condition.htm
3. https://www.lybrate.com/medicine/metformin-500-mg-tablet
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/metformin-oral-tablet#interactions
5. https://healthfully.com/side-effects-of-metformin-500-mg-tablets-4113135.html
6. https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/m/metformin-faqs/#what%20are%20the%20benefits%20of%20taking%20metformin

Last Updated on September 30, 2022 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal