Some considerations for people taking metformin include:
Metformin should be taken with meals. The long-acting form, metformin ER, should be taken with your evening meal. Metformin should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
Do not crush or chew metformin ER tablets. Metformin ER tablets must be swallowed whole.
Your healthcare provider may need to increase your dose of metformin. The dose of metformin or metformin ER should be increased only when necessary and should be increased slowly (by up to 500 mg every week or 850 mg every two weeks). Increasing the dose slowly usually helps to avoid side effects.
If your diabetes is not under control after one month of using the maximum metformin dose, talk to your healthcare provider about adding another diabetes medication.
When switching from chlorpropamide (Diabinese®) to metformin, special care should be taken to avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Chlorpropamide is a very long-acting medicine that may stay in your system for some time after you stop taking it.
If you do not take your metformin as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of metformin.
For metformin to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Metformin will not work if you take it differently than how your healthcare provider prescribed it.
If you are unsure about anything related to metformin or your metformin dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking metformin without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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