Fortamet: Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Main ingredient in Fortamet is Metformin Hydrochloride. Fortamet is a type of antidiabetic drug known as a biguanide. Fortamet works in a number of ways to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood of people with type II diabetes mellitus. Firstly, Fortamet reduces the amount of glucose produced by cells in the liver. Secondly, Fortamet boosts the sensitivity of body cells to insulin. This enables the cells to remove glucose from the bloodstream more effectively. At last, Fortamet also delays absorption of glucose from the intestines into the bloodstream after food intake. By and large, Fortamet reduces blood glucose levels both between and directly after meals.

People with diabetes have a deficiency or absence of a hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for the control of glucose in the blood. In type II diabetes the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or the cells of the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin would normally make the cells remove glucose from the blood, hence in type II diabetes blood glucose levels can rise significantly.

Fortamet is used as a first line of defense against type II diabetes mellitus. Fortamet is used when diet and exercise have failed to control blood glucose levels. Fortamet can also be used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood glucose.

Fortamet Side Effects

Common side effects of Fortamet include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Rare side effects of Fortamet may include lactic Acidosis, taste disturbance, usually a metallic taste, rash, and itching.

Fortamet Warning

When used on its own, Fortamet does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). However, your blood glucose levels may drop dangerously if you take Fortamet in combination with other antidiabetic medicines.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache and or nausea.

Fortamet can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood.
Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur in people with decreased kidney function. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly on an empty stomach or if you have liver problems, can also increase the risk of lactic acidosis.

Your kidney function should be monitored regularly while you are taking Fortamet.

Consult your physician/dentist if you are due to have surgery/dental work under a general anesthetic. In these situations blood glucose is normally controlled by insulin, your doctor/dentist may ask you to stop taking Fortamet 48 hours before surgery/dental work.

Fortamet should not be used if you have the following:
Diabetic keto-acidosis.
Decreased kidney function.
Kidney failure.
Decreased liver function.
Dehydration.
Severe infections or trauma.
Reduced blood flow to vital internal organs.
Heart failure.
People who have recently had a heart attack.
Alcohol intoxication.
Children under ten years of age.

Fortamet should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.

Fortamet should be stopped before X-ray examinations involving injections of iodinated dye, as it may cause a temporary decrease in kidney function that could affect the blood level of Fortamet. Fortamet should not be started again after the X-ray until kidney function has been tested and found to be normal.

Fortamet and Pregnancy

Fortamet should not be used during pregnancy. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, or are planning a pregnancy, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. Control of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is usually achieved using insulin, because it provides a more stable control of blood glucose.

Fortamet may pass into breast milk in small amounts. Nursing mother should switch to bottle-feed while taking Fortamet.

Fortamet Interaction

Your blood glucose level should be monitored if you are taking Fortamet in combination with other antidiabetic drugs and or insulin as there will be an enhanced blood glucose lowering effect.

The following drugs may increase blood glucose levels. If you start treatment with any of these your physician may want to check your blood glucose level more frequently and your dose of Fortamet may need increasing:
Beta-II-agonists
Corticosteroids
Diuretics
Lithium
Oestrogens and Progesterones
MAOI antidepressants
Octreotide and Lanreotide

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels ) may occur, sometimes suddenly, if ACE inhibitors are taken with Fortamet.

Fortamet Overdose

Fortamet overdose symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, drowsiness, and hypoglycemia. The potentially life-threatening complication from Fortamet overdose is lactic acidosis. Seek medical attention right away.

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