What it means
The usual first drug for type 2 diabetestipe too dy-uh-BEE-teezA form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.Full entry . It lowers glucose made by the liver and helps the body use insulin better. Used alone it rarely causes low blood sugar. Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea and a metallic taste, which ease with food and slow dose increases. A rare but serious risk is lactic acidosis, more likely with kidney failure, dehydration or heavy alcohol use.
For the nurse
Check kidney function before starting and regularly. It is usually held before and after iodinated contrast dye and some surgeries, and restarted only when kidney function is checked, per policy. Give with meals and do not crush extended-release tablets. Long-term use can lower vitamin B12.
At a glance
| Drug class | antidiabetic (biguanide) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet |
| Spanish | metformina |
| Also written | Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet |
Easy to confuse with
metronidazole
An antibiotic and antiparasitic drug that treats infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and some protozoa.
Related terms
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
hyperglycemia
A blood glucose level above normal, over 100 mg/dL when fasting.
blood glucose
The amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood at the time it is measured.
type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.