Metaglip

Before you start therapy with Metaglip, and at least once a year thereafter, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function. If you develop kidney problems while on Metaglip, your doctor will discontinue this medication. If you are an older person, you will need to have your kidney function monitored more frequently, and your doctor may want to start you at a lower dosage.

You should temporarily stop taking Metaglip for 2 days before and after having an X-ray procedure (such as an angiogram) that uses an injectable dye. Also, if you are going to have surgery, except minor surgery, you should stop taking Metaglip. Once you have resumed normal food and fluid intake, your doctor will tell you when you can start drug therapy again.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol while taking Metaglip. Heavy drinking increases the danger of lactic acidosis and can also trigger an attack of low blood sugar.

Because poor liver function could increase the risk of lactic acidosis, your doctor may decide to check your liver function before prescribing Metaglip and periodically thereafter. If you develop liver problems, your doctor may stop treatment with Metaglip.

Metaglip occasionally causes a mild deficiency of vitamin B ₁₂. Your doctor will check for this with yearly blood tests and may prescribe a supplement if necessary.

You should stop taking Metaglip if you become seriously dehydrated, since this increases the likelihood of developing lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you lose a significant amount of fluid due to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or some other condition.

While taking Metaglip, you should check your blood or urine periodically for abnormal sugar levels. If you notice sudden changes after you've been stabilized for a while, tell your doctor immediately. It could be a sign you're developing lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Metaglip

If Metaglip is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Metaglip with the following:

Amiloride (Moduretic)
Antibiotics known as sulfonamides, including Bactrim, Cotrim, and Septra
Antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors, including Nardil and Parnate
Antifungal drugs that are taken orally, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) and miconazole
Anti-inflammatories that contain salicylates, such as aspirin, Dolobid, and Rowasa
Beta-blocking blood pressure medicines such as Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
Calcium channel blockers (heart medications) such as Calan, Isoptin, and Procardia
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Decongestant, airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Ventolin
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Furosemide (Lasix)
Isoniazid (Rifamate), a drug used for tuberculosis
Morphine
Niacin (Niaspan)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve, Motrin, and Naprosyn
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Probenecid (Benemid)
Procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Quinine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Thyroid hormones such as Synthroid
Tranquilizers such as Thorazine
Triamterene (Dyazide, Dyrenium)
Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)
Vancomycin (Vancocin)
Warfarin sodium (Coumadin)
Water pills (diuretics) such as HydroDIURIL, Dyazide, and Moduretic

Do not drink too much alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low blood sugar and increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis.