2. What should I know before I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR or
any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
The usual starting dose is 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Your doctor may
increase the dose slowly, depending on your blood glucose levels. More instructions
can be found in Section
4. How do I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM
XR.
Make sure that you, your friends, family and work colleagues can recognize the symptoms
of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and know how to treat them.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not skip meals while taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dose without checking with your doctor.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR by itself is unlikely to affect how you drive or operate machinery.
Low blood glucose levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive
or operate machinery.
|
|
Drinking alcohol
|
Alcohol can affect the control of your diabetes. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
while you are being treated with DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR may also lead to serious
side effects.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Keep the pack in a cool, dry place (below 25°C) in its original packaging.
Do not store DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR in the bathroom, near a sink, on a window sill
or in the car.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, taste disturbance, loss of appetite, redness
of the skin or itching.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital
if you notice any of the following symptoms: trouble breathing, feeling weak, tired or generally unwell, unusual muscle pain,
sleepiness, dizziness, shivering, feeling extremely cold or slow heart beat. For more
information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
metformin hydrochloride
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR contains the active ingredient metformin hydrochloride. DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. It lowers
high blood glucose levels by:
improving your body's sensitivity to insulin and restoring the way it normally uses
glucose
reducing the amount of glucose your liver makes
delaying the amount of glucose your intestine absorbs
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR is used to control blood glucose (sugar) in people with Type
2 diabetes mellitus, especially in those who are overweight. It is used when diet and exercise are not enough to control high levels of blood
glucose.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR can be used alone, or in combination with other medicines
for treating diabetes.
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
or maturity onset diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone that enables body tissues to take up glucose from the blood and
to use it for energy or fat storage for future use.
People with type 2 diabetes are unable to make enough insulin or their body does not
respond properly to the insulin it does make. This causes a buildup of glucose in
the blood, which can lead to serious medical problems.
Long-term hyperglycaemia can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney damage, poor
blood circulation and gangrene.
Signs of hyperglycaemia may include:
tiredness or lack of energy
headache
thirst
passing large amounts of urine
blurred vision
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR has been
prescribed for you.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR are not recommended in children as its safety and effectiveness
have not been established in this age group.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR are available only with a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR is addictive.
After the active ingredient metformin is absorbed into your body, you may see the
empty tablet shell in your faeces (bowel motions). This is normal and does not affect
the way DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR works.
2. What should I know before I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
Warnings
Do not use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR if:
you are allergic to any medicine containing metformin or any other biguanide, or any
of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic
reaction may include:
skin rash, itching or hives
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
wheezing or shortness of breath.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have any of the following conditions:
type 1 diabetes mellitus that is well controlled by insulin alone
type 2 diabetes that is already well controlled by diet alone
serious complications with your diabetes or any type of metabolic acidosis such as
lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis (a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, in which
substances called ketone bodies accumulate in the blood - you may notice this as an
unusual fruity odour on your breath)
kidney failure or severe kidney disease
dehydration (for instance due to persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhoea)
shock from severe injury or blood loss
severe liver disease
acute alcohol intoxication, chronic alcohol dependence.
certain heart or blood circulation problems, including a recent heart attack or heart
failure (when the heart fails to pump blood effectively)
blood clots in the lungs (symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain
and a fast heart rate), severe breathing difficulties
inflammation of the pancreas (symptoms include severe upper stomach pain, often with
nausea and vomiting) if associated with severe infection or hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
a severe infection or gangrene.
You must stop taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR for a certain period of time before and
after the examination or the surgery. Your doctor will decide whether you need any
other treatment for this time. It is important that you follow your doctor's instructions
precisely.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this
medicine, talk to your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you:
are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, preservatives or dyes.
have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
kidney problems
liver problems
heart or blood vessel problems including heart failure.
Before starting DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR your doctor will ask you to have a blood test
to check your kidney function.
drink alcohol
Alcohol can affect the control of your diabetes. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
while you are being treated with DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR may also lead to serious
side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol
you drink.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start
taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Your doctor
will replace DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR with insulin while you are pregnant.
Do not take DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR if you are breastfeeding.
Your doctor will discuss the options available to you.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR may interact with each other. These include:
other medicines used to treat diabetes
iodinated contrast agents (dyes)
medicines that contain alcohol, such as cough and cold syrups
corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone
tetracosactrin, a medicine used in people with multiple sclerosis, and in young children
to treat some types of seizures (fits)
danazol, a medicine used to treat endometriosis
medicines used to treat high blood pressure and some heart conditions, such as beta-blockers,
calcium channel blockers or ACE inhibitors
some medicines used to treat asthma such as salbutamol or terbutaline
diuretics, also called fluid tablets
chlorpromazine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia and other mental illnesses
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), medicines used to relieve pain, swelling
and other symptoms of inflammation, such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam,
naproxen or piroxicam
cimetidine, used to treat ulcers and reflux
medicines used to prevent blood clots such as warfarin.
medicines that are substrates/ inhibitors of organic cation transporters - OCT 1 such
as verapamil; OCT 2 such as dolutegravir, crizotinib, olaparib, daclatasvir or vandetanib
medicines that are inducers of OCT 1 such as rifampicin
medicines that may increase the risk of lactic acidosis when concomitantly used with
metformin hydrochloride such as topiramate and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
These medicines may be affected by DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR or may affect how well
it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take
different medicines.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
4. How do I use DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
How much to take
The dose varies from person to person. Your doctor will decide the right dose for
you.
The usual starting dose is 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Your doctor may
increase the dose slowly, depending on your blood glucose levels.
The maximum recommended dose is 2 grams once per day.
The elderly and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
Do not break, crush or chew the tablets.
If you break, crush or chew DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR they will not work as well. DIAFORMIN
ALPHAPHARM XR are extended release tablets. This means they have a special coating
which allows the active ingredient, metformin, to be released slowly over time.
When to take DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR
Take your medicine everyday with the evening meal.
Taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR during or with your evening meal will reduce the chance
of a stomach upset.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you
remember when to take it.
How long to take it for
Keep taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR for as long as your doctor recommends.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR will help control diabetes but will not cure it. Most people
will need to take DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR for long periods of time.
When you start treatment with DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR, it can take up to some weeks
for your blood glucose levels to be properly controlled.
If you forget to take DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR should be taken regularly at the same time each day.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (with food), and then go back
to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you
missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use too much DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR
If you think that you have used too much DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR, you may need urgent
medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR, you may feel sleepy, very tired, sick,
vomit, have trouble breathing and have unusual muscle pain, stomach pain or diarrhoea.
These may be early signs of a serious condition called lactic acidosis (build up of
lactic acid in the blood).
You may also experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). This usually
only happens if you take too much DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR together with other medicines
for diabetes or with alcohol.
If you do experience any signs of hypoglycaemia, raise your blood glucose quickly
by eating jelly beans, sugar or honey, drinking a non-diet soft drink or taking glucose
tablets.
5. What should I know while using DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR?
Things you should do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
Tell all the other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you
are taking this medicine.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you plan to have:
surgery with general anaesthesia
any x-ray procedures requiring an injection of an iodinated contrast agent (dye).
Your doctor will advise you when to stop taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR before you
have these procedures and when to start again.
HYPOGLYCAEMIA
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR does not normally cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), although
you may experience it while taking other medicines for diabetes such as insulin, sulfonylureas
or glinide.
Make sure that you, your friends, family and work colleagues can recognise the symptoms
of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and know how to treat them.
Hypoglycaemia can occur suddenly. Initial signs may include:
weakness, trembling or shaking
sweating
light-headedness, dizziness, headache or lack of concentration
irritability, tearfulness or crying
hunger
numbness around the lips and tongue.
If not treated promptly, these may progress to:
loss of co-ordination
slurred speech
confusion
fits or loss of consciousness.
If you experience any of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, you need to raise your blood
glucose immediately.
You can do this by doing one of the following:
eating 5 to 7 jelly beans
eating 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey
drinking half a can of non-diet soft drink
taking 2 to 3 concentrated glucose tablets.
Unless you are within 10 to 15 minutes of your next meal or snack, follow up with
extra carbohydrates such as plain biscuits, fruit or milk.
Taking this extra carbohydrate will prevent a second drop in your blood glucose level.
HYPERGLYCAEMIA
If you experience any of the signs of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), contact your
doctor immediately.
The risk of hyperglycaemia is increased in the following situations:
uncontrolled diabetes
illness, infection or stress
taking less DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR than prescribed
taking certain other medicines
too little exercise
eating more carbohydrates than normal.
Tell your doctor if any of the following happen:
you become ill
you become dehydrated (for instance due to persistent or severe diarrhoea or recurrent
vomiting)
you are injured
you have a fever
you have a serious infection such an influenza, respiratory tract infection or urinary
tract infection
you are having major surgery
you are having an examination such as an X-ray or a scan requiring an injection of
an iodinated contrast agent (dye).
you become pregnant.
Your blood glucose may become difficult to control at these times. You may also be
more at risk of developing a serious condition called lactic acidosis. At these times,
your doctor may replace DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR with insulin.
Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups.
Your doctor may want to check your kidneys, liver, heart and blood levels while you
are taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
Make sure you check your blood glucose levels regularly.
This is the best way to tell if your diabetes is being controlled properly. Your doctor
or diabetes educator will show you how and when to do this.
Carefully follow the advice of your doctor and dietician on diet, drinking alcohol
and exercise.
Things you should not do
Do not take DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not skip meals while taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Driving or using machines
If you have to be alert, for example when driving, be especially careful not to let
your blood glucose levels fall too low.
Low blood glucose levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive
or operate machinery. Drinking alcohol can make this worse. However, DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM
XR by itself is unlikely to affect how you drive or operate machinery.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Alcohol can affect the control of your diabetes. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
while you are being treated with DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR may also lead to serious
side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol
you drink.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR or any other medicine in the bathroom or near
a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed,
ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR helps most people with diabetes but it may have unwanted side
effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
These are generally mild side effects which disappear after the first few weeks. Taking
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR with meals can help reduce nausea and diarrhoea.
Serious side effects
Lactic acidosis is a very rare but serious side effect requiring urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation. Although rare, if lactic acidosis does occur, it can be fatal.
The risk of lactic acidosis is higher in the elderly, those whose diabetes is poorly
controlled, those with prolonged fasting, those with certain heart conditions, those
who drink alcohol and those with kidney or liver problems.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell. It is very important that you speak to your doctor immediately if a side
effect is severe, occurred suddenly or gets worse rapidly.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Some side effects (e.g. reduced vitamin B12 level) can only be found when your doctor
does tests from time to time to check your progress.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Each extended release tablet contains either 500 mg or 1000 mg of metformin hydrochloride.
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
colloidal anhydrous silica
povidone
hypromellose
magnesium stearate
|
|
Potential allergens
|
|
The tablets are gluten free.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR looks like
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR metformin 500 mg modified release tablets are white capsule
shaped uncoated tablets, debossed with "XR 500" on one side and plain on the other
side. It is available in blister packs of 30, 60, 90, 100, and 120 tablets. AUST R
232658.
DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR metformin 1000 mg tablets are white capsule shaped uncoated
tablets, debossed with "XR 1000" on one side and plain on the other side. It is available
in blister packs of 30, 60, 90, 100, and 120 tablets. AUST R 232652.
Not all pack sizes are marketed in Australia.
Who distributes DIAFORMIN ALPHAPHARM XR
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in June 2024.