Metformin

Question 1

What contraindications are important to exclude before prescribing metformin?

Answer 1

• Significant renal impairment
• Ketoacidosis
• Low BMI

Question 2

How would you explain the MOA of metformin to a patient?

Answer 2

• Increases your response to insulin so that your cells take up more glucose/sugar from your blood
• Also reduced the amount of glucose/sugar that your liver produces

Question 3

How should metformin be taken?

Answer 3

• OD/BD/TDS tablet with meals

- Taken long-term

Question 4

What monitoring is required for metformin?

Answer 4

• U&Es before starting, and then annually

- HbA1c every 3-6 months until stable, then 6-monthly at diabetic check ups

Question 5

What are the important side effects of metformin that patients should be aware of?

Answer 5

• Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss
• Lactic acidosis

*Metformin must not be taken on the day of or for 2 days after having GA or x-ray contrast media