Glucophage 850mg Tablet

Glucophage 850mg Tablet contains Metformin Hydrochloride 850mg and is presented as a tablet. It is supplied in pack sizes of 100s and 20s.

It is classified as a non-prescription medicine, so no prescription is needed to order it. Under Malaysian rules for medicine information, this page carries product, safety and handling information only.

You can consult a doctor or pharmacist online on DoctorOnCall about this product before or after you order. Every order is checked by a registered pharmacist before it is delivered. Always read the label and the leaflet supplied with the pack.

Glucophage 850mg Tablet must only be taken according to a doctor’s prescription and dosing schedule. It is usually taken with or right after meals, most commonly once or twice daily depending on the total daily dose prescribed, and the tablet should be swallowed whole with water rather than crushed or chewed unless a doctor has advised otherwise.

The dose is individualised and determined by the prescribing doctor based on prior metformin use, blood glucose targets, and kidney function; patients transitioning from 500mg tablets are commonly moved to 850mg dosing to reduce the number of tablets needed per day while maintaining the same total daily metformin dose. Doses should never be changed or doubled up without a doctor’s explicit instruction.

Glucophage 850mg Tablet is generally valid for up to 36 months from the date of manufacture when stored correctly and unopened; the exact expiry date is printed on the blister strip and outer carton and should be verified prior to use.

Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excess moisture, keeping the tablets sealed in their original blister strip until they are needed. Keep out of reach and sight of children, and do not use tablets that are cracked, discoloured, or past their printed expiry date.

• Known hypersensitivity to metformin or any excipient in the tablet
• Severe renal impairment or acute kidney injury
• Conditions associated with tissue hypoxia, such as decompensated heart failure or acute respiratory failure
• Diabetic ketoacidosis or other forms of acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Must be temporarily withheld before and after procedures using iodinated contrast media, as directed by a doctor

• Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis and intake should be limited or avoided while on treatment
• Iodinated contrast agents used in radiological imaging can raise the risk of kidney impairment and lactic acidosis in combination with metformin
• Corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and other hyperglycaemic medicines may reduce metformin’s glucose-lowering effect
• Cimetidine and some other drugs can raise circulating metformin levels
• Combining with insulin or sulfonylureas increases the risk of hypoglycaemia and requires closer monitoring

• Take Glucophage 850mg with or immediately after meals to minimise gastrointestinal side effects.
• If you are stepping up from 500mg tablets, follow your doctor’s dose schedule exactly rather than adjusting it yourself.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water; do not crush, split, or chew it.
• Limit or avoid alcohol, which raises the risk of lactic acidosis when combined with metformin.
• Keep up with periodic blood tests for kidney function and vitamin B12, which matter even more at this higher strength.
• Tell your doctor before any scan requiring iodinated contrast dye, as metformin may need to be paused beforehand.
• Watch for signs of low blood sugar if you are also taking insulin or a sulfonylurea, and know how to treat a hypoglycaemic episode.
• Seek immediate medical help for unusual muscle pain, rapid breathing, or extreme tiredness, which can indicate lactic acidosis.

Glucophage 850mg Tablet is a prescription medicine in Malaysia, and DoctorOnCall requires an online medical consultation before dispensing so a doctor can confirm the higher dose is appropriate and monitor kidney function and glycaemic control over time. Patients should seek urgent medical attention if they experience unusual muscle pain, marked tiredness, rapid breathing, or abdominal pain, as these may signal the rare but serious complication of lactic acidosis.