Taking GLUMETZA®
What should I tell my doctor before taking GLUMETZA?
Before you take GLUMETZA, tell your doctor if you:
- Have type 1 diabetes. GLUMETZA should not be used to treat people with type 1 diabetes.
- Have a history or risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of certain acids, known as ketones, in the blood or urine). GLUMETZA should not be used for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Have kidney problems.
- Have liver problems.
- Have heart problems, including congestive heart failure.
- Drink alcohol very often, or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term (binge) drinking.
- Are taking insulin.
- Have any other medical conditions.
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if GLUMETZA can harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the best way to control your blood sugar while you are pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GLUMETZA passes into your breast milk. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you take GLUMETZA.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist. Talk to your doctor before you start any new medicine.
GLUMETZA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how GLUMETZA works.
How should I take GLUMETZA?
- Take GLUMETZA exactly as your doctor tells you.
- GLUMETZA should be taken one time per day with your evening meal.
- Swallow GLUMETZA tablets whole. Do not crush, cut, dissolve, or chew GLUMETZA.
- Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole. Your doctor may prescribe a different medicine for you.
- You may sometimes pass a soft mass in your stools (bowel movement) that looks like GLUMETZA tablets. It is normal to see this in your stool.
- When your body is under some type of stress, such as fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, the amount of type 2 diabetes medicine that you need may change. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these problems.
- Your doctor should do blood tests to check how well your kidneys and liver are working before and during your treatment with GLUMETZA.
- Your healthcare provider will check your diabetes with regular blood tests, including your blood sugar levels and your hemoglobin A1C.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for treating blood sugar that is too low (hypoglycemia). Talk to your doctor if low blood sugar is a problem for you. See "What are the possible side effects of GLUMETZA?"
- Check your blood sugar regularly and as your doctor tells you to.
- Stay on your prescribed diet and exercise program and test your blood sugar regularly while taking GLUMETZA.
- If you miss a dose of GLUMETZA, resume dosing according to schedule.
- If you take too much GLUMETZA, call your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Next, learn more about the Instant Savings Program that provides two ways to save on each GLUMETZA prescription.

