Diaformin Viatris (Metformin Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Diaformin Viatris Used For?
Diaformin Viatris contains metformin hydrochloride and belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. It helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Primary Uses
Diaformin Viatris is used to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in people with diabetes mellitus. It can be used for type 2 diabetes in adults and children over 10 years of age. It's especially helpful for overweight patients when diet and exercise alone aren't enough to control high blood sugar levels. For adults, it can be used alone or combined with other diabetes medicines or insulin.
How It Works
Diaformin Viatris lowers high blood glucose by helping your body make better use of the insulin produced by your pancreas. People with type 2 diabetes either can't make enough insulin or their body doesn't respond properly to the insulin it makes, causing glucose to build up in the blood.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Diaformin Viatris is addictive.
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How to Take Diaformin Viatris
Take Diaformin Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose varies from person to person based on your blood glucose levels.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: The usual starting dose is 500mg one to two times daily. Your doctor may adjust this based on your blood glucose levels. Maximum dose is 1000mg three times daily. Children 10+ and adolescents: Usually start with 500mg or 850mg once daily, maximum 2g daily in divided doses. Elderly and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses. Take during or immediately after food to reduce stomach upset. Swallow tablets with water. The 1000mg tablets can be split in half if advised by your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (with food), then continue your normal schedule. Take at the same time each day for best results.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Taste disturbance
- Loss of appetite
- Skin reactions
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling weak, tired or generally unwell
- Unusual muscle pain
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Shivering
- Feeling extremely cold
- Slow heart beat
- Signs of lactic acidosis
Important Warnings
Do not use Diaformin Viatris if you have certain medical conditions or are allergic to metformin or biguanides.
Who Should Not Take Diaformin Viatris
Do not use if you have: allergies to metformin or biguanides; type 1 diabetes well controlled by insulin alone; type 2 diabetes well controlled by diet alone; metabolic acidosis, lactic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis; severe liver disease; excessive alcohol intake or alcohol dependence; kidney failure or severe kidney disease; dehydration, severe blood loss, or shock; severe infection; certain heart problems including recent heart attack or severe heart failure; severe breathing difficulties; blood clots in lungs; gangrene; pancreatitis; or if you need major surgery or X-rays with contrast dye.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: heart failure; kidney problems; allergies to medicines, foods, or preservatives; if you take other medicines; or if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may need to monitor you more closely with these conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take during pregnancy or if planning to become pregnant. Safety in pregnant women has not been established. Insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Do not take while breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss alternative options.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interact with Diaformin Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you're taking.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Medicines containing alcohol (cough and cold syrups)
- Tetracosactrin (for multiple sclerosis and seizures)
- Danazol (for endometriosis)
- Blood pressure and heart medicines (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors)
- Blood thinners like warfarin
- Diuretics (fluid tablets)
- Chlorpromazine (for schizophrenia)
- NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc.)
- Cimetidine (for reflux and ulcers)
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
- Asthma medicines (salbutamol, terbutaline)
- OCT transporter medicines (verapamil, dolutegravir, crizotinib)
- Rifampicin
- Topiramate and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Diaformin Viatris, as both can affect your blood sugar control and safety.
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect diabetes control. Drinking excessive amounts while taking Diaformin Viatris may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest stopping or reducing alcohol consumption.
Driving and Operating Machinery
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 Viatris by itself is unlikely to affect driving ability. Be especially careful not to let blood glucose fall too low when you need to be alert.
Storage
Keep tablets in original packaging in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Don't store in bathroom or near sink. Keep away from heat, dampness, and direct sunlight. Store in locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters high, away from children. Don't remove tablets from pack until ready to take them.
Overdose Information
If you think you've taken too much Diaformin Viatris, seek immediate medical attention. Call Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include sleepiness, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, unusual muscle pain, stomach pain, or diarrhea. These may be early signs of lactic acidosis. You may also experience low blood glucose symptoms – treat immediately with jelly beans, sugar, honey, or glucose tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you start treatment with Diaformin Viatris, it can take up to two weeks for your blood glucose levels to be properly controlled.
Yes, you should take Diaformin Viatris during or immediately after food. This will reduce the chance of stomach upset.
No, there is no evidence that Diaformin Viatris is addictive.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor. This medicine helps control diabetes but does not cure it. Most people will need to take Diaformin Viatris on a long-term basis.
Alcohol can affect the control of your diabetes. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while being treated with Diaformin Viatris may lead to serious side effects. Your doctor may suggest you stop drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
The elderly and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses. If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (with food), then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.