• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Metformin Oral Solution is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Metformin Oral Solution
3. How to take Metformin Oral Solution
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Metformin Oral Solution
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to metformin hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you have uncontrolled diabetes, with e.g. severe hyperglycaemia (high levels of blood glucose in your blood), nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), dehydration or rapid weight loss
• if you have symptoms of a condition called ketoacidosis in which substances called 'ketone bodies' accumulate in the blood and can lead to diabetic pre-coma (unconsciousness). Symptoms include stomach pain, fast and deep breathing, sleepiness and unusual fruity odour of the breath (likened to the smell of pear drops)
• if you have moderate or severe liver or kidney problems
• if you become dehydrated (when you lose too much water from your body), due to long-lasting or severe diarrhoea, or if you have been sick several times in a short space of time. Dehydration may lead to kidney problems, which can put you at risk of lactic acidosis (see 'Warnings and precautions’)
• if you have a severe infection, such as an infection affecting your lungs, airways or your kidneys. Severe infections may lead to kidney problems, which can put you at risk of lactic acidosis (see 'Warnings and precautions’ and Section 4 Possible side effects)
• if you are treated for acute heart failure or have recently had a heart attack, have severe problems with your circulation (such as shock) or have breathing difficulties. This may lead to a lack of oxygen in your body tissues which can put you at risk of lactic acidosis (see “Warnings and precautions”)
• if you drink a lot of alcohol.

If any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor, before you start taking this medicine.

• Metformin Oral Solution may cause a very rare, but very serious complication called lactic acidosis, particularly if your kidneys are not working properly (kidney function may worsen when starting medication for high blood pressure, water retention and when starting treatment with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
• The risk of developing lactic acidosis is also increased with:
  • uncontrolled diabetes
  • prolonged fasting or alcohol intake
  • loss of body fluid (dehydration) due to severe diarrhoea or vomiting (being sick)
  • liver problems
  • any medical conditions in which a region of the body is deprived of oxygen (such as acute severe heart diseases).
• It is important you take your medication as prescribed, follow dietary instructions and keep up your regular exercise program because these measures can reduce the risk of lactic acidosis.
• The onset of lactic acidosis can be subtle and the symptoms can be non-specific such as:
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • stomach ache (abdominal pain) with muscle cramps
  • a general feeling of not being well with severe tiredness
  • difficulty in breathing
  • further symptoms are reduced body temperature and heartbeat.

If you experience some of these symptoms, stop taking this medicine and seek medical attention immediately.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Metformin Oral Solution if:
  • you need to have a diagnostic examination such as X-ray or scan involving the injection of contrast dyes that contain iodine into your bloodstream
  • you need to have surgery in which you will be given an anaesthetic (put to sleep).

You must stop taking Metformin Oral Solution for a certain period of time before and after the examination or surgery. Your doctor will tell you what you need to do and will decide whether you need any other treatments during this time. It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions precisely.

• On its own this medicine does not cause hypoglycaemia (a condition when your blood glucose levels become too low). However, if you take Metformin Oral Solution together with other medicines used to treat diabetes (such as sulphonylureas, insulin, meglitinides), there is a risk of hypoglycaemia. If you experience symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, increased sweating, fast heart beating, vision disorders or difficulty in concentration, it usually helps to eat or drink something containing sugar.

• This medicine may be used in children aged 10 and over either by itself or in combination with insulin.
• Regular monitoring of children taking this medicine is recommended.

• If you need to have an injection of a contrast dye medicine that contains iodine for a diagnostic examination such as an X-ray or scan, you will need to stop taking Metformin Oral Solution for a period of time both before and after the examination (at least 48 hours). It is important that you discuss this with your doctor beforehand.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription.
• You may need more frequent blood glucose tests or your doctor may adjust the dosage of Metformin Oral Solution if you are taking or have recently taken:
  • diuretics (used to remove water from the body by making more urine)
  • beta-2 agonists such as salbutamol or terbutaline (used to treat asthma)
  • corticosteroids such as prednisolone (used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma and inflammation)
  • other medicines used to treat diabetes
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS) such as diclofenac (used to treat inflammation).

Do not drink alcohol when you take this medicine. Alcohol may increase the risk of lactic acidosis especially if you have liver problems or if you are undernourished. This also applies to medicines that contain alcohol.

• If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor in case any changes will be needed to your treatment or monitoring of your blood glucose levels.
• This medicine is not recommended if you are breast-feeding or if you are planning to breast-feed your baby.

• Taken on its own this medicine does not cause hypoglycaemia (a condition where your blood glucose levels become too low). This means that it will not affect your ability to drive or use machines.
• If this medicine is taken with insulin or other medicines used to treat diabetes that can cause hypoglycaemia (such as sulphonylureas, insulin and meglitinides), it is possible that their combined effects may make you feel faint or dizzy. Other symptoms of hypoglycaemia include weakness, increased sweating, fast heartbeat, vision disorders and difficulty concentrating. If you experience any of these symptoms do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.

• Parahydroxybenzoates may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
• This medicine contains 16.5 mg propylene glycol in each 5 ml.
• This medicine contains 5.4 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each 5 ml. The amount in 5 ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or 1 ml wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.
• This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5 ml, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Children and adolescents aged 10 years and over

• The recommended starting dose for children is either 500 mg or 850 mg (5 ml) Metformin Oral Solution once a day.
• The maximum daily dose is 2000 mg taken as 2 or 3 divided doses.
• Treatment of children between 10 and 12 years of age is only recommended on specific advice from your doctor, as knowledge of the effects of this medicine in this age group is limited.

Adults

• The recommended starting dose for adults is either 500 mg or 850 mg (5 ml) Metformin Oral Solution two or three times a day.
• The maximum daily dose is 3000 mg taken as 3 divided doses.

Adults with kidney problems

• The recommended starting dose for adults with kidney impairment is 500 mg or 850 mg (5 ml) Metformin Oral Solution once a day.
• The maximum dose is 1000 mg daily, given as 2 divided doses.
• Kidney function should be closely monitored every 3 - 6 months.

Note: Metformin Oral Solution 850 mg/5 ml is intended for the administration of doses of 850 mg or multiples of 850 mg.

500 mg/5 ml and 1000 mg/5 ml strengths are also available and can be used to ensure the right dose to control your symptoms is achieved. If you think this would be beneficial to you talk to your doctor.

If you also take insulin your doctor will give you advice about how to take this medicine with your insulin.

• Your doctor will perform regular blood glucose tests and will adapt your dose of Metformin Oral Solution to your blood glucose levels. Make sure that you talk to your doctor regularly. This is particularly important for children and adolescents or if you are an older person.
• Your doctor will also check how well your kidneys are working at least once a year. You may need more frequent checks if you are an older person or if your kidneys are not working normally.

• Always take this medicine with or after a meal. This may help you avoid having some of the side effects.
• If you take one dose a day, take it in the morning (breakfast).
• If you have been advised to take two doses a day, take them in the morning (breakfast) and evening (dinner).
• If you have been advised to take three doses a day, take them in the morning (breakfast), at noon (lunch) and in the evening (dinner).
• If, after some time, you think that the effect of this medicine is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Use the graduated 10 ml dosing spoon provided to administer the correct dose.

Metformin Oral Solution is for oral use only.

Note

If necessary, Metformin Oral Solution can be administered via a gastric, duodenal, and nasal feeding tube, that should be rinsed twice with 10 ml of water immediately after administration.

If you have taken more Metformin Oral Solution than you should have, you may experience lactic acidosis, (see Section 4 Possible side effects). This is a very serious medical condition and you should stop taking this medicine and seek medical advice immediately because it can lead to a diabetic coma.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Take the next dose at the usual time.

Limited data in children and adolescents showed that side effects were similar in nature and severity to those reported in adults.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is metformin hydrochloride. Each 5 ml oral solution contains 850 mg of metformin hydrochloride.
• The other ingredients are:
  • Sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E217)
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate (E339)
  • Disodium phosphate anhydrous (E339)
  • Sucralose (E955)
  • Peach flavour (contains propylene glycol (E1520) and ethanol)
  • Sodium hydroxide (E524), (for pH adjustment)
  • Purified water.

Metformin Oral Solution is a clear, colourless solution with a peach flavour, filled into 150 ml or 300 ml, amber glass bottles fitted with a child-resistant, tamper-evident screw cap.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

A graduated 10 ml dosing spoon is also included in the pack.

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