Provided by You Health for patients

Metformin XR Tablets

The following provides a medication overview of Metformin XR and how to effectively and safely use it to support weight loss. You will also receive a medication guide with your medication, which contains full information about Metformin XR. Please read all of the information before taking your medication.
What is Metformin XR?
Metformin works by reducing appetite and by lowering blood sugar levels impacting the way the body handles insulin and absorbs sugar. Metformin is FDA approved for treating type 2 diabetes. Like many medications, it’s commonly prescribed off-label by leading obesity specialists and weight clinics to help promote weight loss in patients.
In this medication overview
  1. Usage

    How to get the most out of your treatment

  2. Side Effects

    What to look out for when using your treatment

  3. Warnings

    Important safety information

Usage

  1. To get started, follow your provider's dosing instructions
    Your provider will recommend to either take one tablet of Metformin XR each evening or to slowly increase your dose of Metformin XR over time. Be sure to follow the specific instructions your provider sent to you, which may include waiting until your third week of treatment to begin Metformin XR. These instructions are also outlined in your treatment plan in the mobile app. Remember to take your medication with food to reduce feelings of upset stomach.
  2. Swallow the tablet whole
    Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush or chew it. If you have any trouble swallowing please let your healthcare provider know.
  3. Missed a dose?
    If you miss a dose of this medicine do not take an extra tablet to make up for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next dose at your regular time the next day. Do not double doses.

Side effects

Common side effects of Metformin XR tablets include diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach. These side effects generally go away after you take the medicine for a while. Taking your medicine with meals can help reduce these side effects. Message your healthcare provider if the side effects are significant. You may need a lower dose or a different titration schedule.
About 3 out of every 100 people who take Metformin XR tablets have an unpleasant metallic taste when they start taking the medicine. It lasts for a short time.
Metformin XR tablets rarely cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) by themselves. However, hypoglycemia can happen if you do not eat enough, if you drink alcohol, or if you take other medicines to lower blood sugar.
These are not all the side effects of Metformin XR. Message your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You can message a provider through your Hims & Hers account if you have any questions about your treatment, including any side effects you may be experiencing.
You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about Metformin XR tablets?
Serious side effects can happen in people taking Metformin XR tablets, including:
Lactic Acidosis. Metformin, the medicine in Metformin XR tablets, can cause a rare, but serious, side effect called lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the blood) that can cause death. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital.
Stop taking Metformin XR tablets and message your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis:
  • feel very weak and tired
  • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain
  • have trouble breathing
  • have unusual sleepiness or sleep longer than usual
  • have unexplained stomach or intestinal problems with nausea and vomiting, or diarrhea
  • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs
  • feel dizzy or lightheaded
  • have a slow or irregular heartbeat
You have a higher chance of getting lactic acidosis if you:
  • have kidney problems. People whose kidneys are not working properly should not take Metformin XR tablets.
  • have liver problems.
  • have congestive heart failure that requires treatment with medicines.
  • drink a lot of alcohol (very often or short-term "binge" drinking).
  • get dehydrated (lose a large amount of body fluids). This can happen if you are sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dehydration can also happen when you sweat a lot with activity or exercise and do not drink enough fluids.
  • have certain x-ray tests with injectable dyes or contrast agents.
  • have surgery.
  • have a heart attack, severe infection, or stroke.
  • are 80 years of age or older and have not had your kidney function tested.
Do not take Metformin XR tablets if you:
  • have kidney problems
  • have an abnormal creatinine level (not to exceed 500mg daily)
  • are allergic to the active ingredient metformin, in Metformin XR, or to any of the inactive ingredients in Metformin XR. Inactive ingredients include: Copovidone K25-31, Povidone, hypromelloses, hypromelloses 2208, magnesium stearate, unspecified carboxymethylcellulose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose.
  • are going to get an injection of dye or contrast agents for an x-ray procedure or if you are going to have surgery and not able to eat or drink much. In these situations, Metformin XR tablets will need to be stopped for a short time. Talk to your healthcare provider about when you should stop Metformin XR tablets and when you should start Metformin XR tablets again.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Metformin XR tablets?
Before taking Metformin XR tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • have type 1 diabetes. Metformin XR tablets should not be used to treat people with type 1 diabetes.
  • have a history or risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of certain acids, known as ketones, in the blood or urine). Metformin XR tablets should not be used for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • have kidney problems.
  • have an abnormal creatinine level.
  • have liver problems.
  • have heart problems, including congestive heart failure.
  • are older than 80 years. If you are over 80 years old you should not take Metformin XR tablets unless your kidneys have been checked and they are normal.
  • drink alcohol very often, or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term "binge" drinking.
  • are taking insulin.
  • have any other medical conditions.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if metformin will harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar while you are pregnant.
  • are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if metformin passes into your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while you take Metformin XR tablets.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
  • Metformin XR tablets may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Metformin XR tablets work.

Medication disposal
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
  • Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
  • Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
  • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
This is only a summary of the most important information about Metformin XR
Need more information?
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.