Description
Glumetza is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Glumetza belongs to a group of drugs called biguanides, which work by helping your body respond better to the insulin it makes naturally, decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes, and decreasing the amount of sugar your intestines absorb.
This medication comes in an extended-release tablet. It is taken typically once a day. Swallow Glumetza tablets whole.
Side Effects of Glumetza
Serious side effects have been reported including:
Lactic Acidosis. In rare cases, Glumetza can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. This build-up can cause serious damage. Lactic acidosis caused by Glumetza is rare and has occurred mostly in people whose kidneys were not working normally. Lactic acidosis has been reported in about one in 33,000 patients taking Glumetza over the course of a year. Although rare, if lactic acidosis does occur, it can be fatal in up to half the people who develop it.
It is also important for your liver to be working normally when you take Glumetza. Your liver helps remove lactic acid from your blood.
Make sure you tell your doctor before you use Glumetza if you have kidney or liver problems. You should also stop using Glumetza and call your doctor right away if you have signs of lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital.
Signs of lactic acidosis:
- feeling very weak, tired, or uncomfortable
- unusual muscle pain
- trouble breathing
- unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort
- feeling cold
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- suddenly developing a slow or irregular heartbeat
If your medical condition suddenly changes, stop taking Glumetza and call your doctor right away. This may be a sign of lactic acidosis or another serious side effect.
Common side effects of Glumetza include:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- 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. Tell your doctor if the side effects bother you a lot, last for more than a few weeks, come back after they’ve gone away, or start later in therapy. You may need a lower dose or need to stop taking the medicine for a short period or for good.
About 3 out of every 100 people who take Glumetza have an unpleasant metallic taste when they start taking the medicine. It lasts for a short time.
Glumetza rarely causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, hypoglycemia can happen if you do not eat enough, if you drink alcohol, or if you take other medicines to lower blood sugar.
