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Elcephase is a safe and effective medication prescribed to treat diabetes mellitus type 2.
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Elcephase is a first line therapy used to treat type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient in Elcephase is metformin, a blood sugar lowering medication. Whether taken as a sole medication or combination therapy, metformin can lower plasma glucose levels as well as help in treatment of cardiovascular or liver diseases.
Elcephase (metformin) belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. Biguanides limit the production of glucose in the liver, improve the bodyโs insulin sensitivity and lower the total amount of sugar which the intestines absorb.
If youโre at the early stages of type 2 diabetes, your doctor will most likely prescribe Elcephase (metformin) to you. Once you start taking the medication, it is important to keep a regular check on your blood sugar levels as this will help your doctor determine if the medication is working well for you. The doctor may ask you to continue with the same dosage or make changes to your treatment depending on how youโre adjusting to it.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition wherein sugar present in the blood becomes high. When there are high levels of sugar in the blood, your body isnโt able to respond to insulin (a natural substance that moves sugar present in your blood to the cells and gives them energy) and this increases the sugar buildup in the blood.
Elcephase reduces insulin resistance and as well as helps the body cells to process insulin more effectively. It also decreases the amount of glucose that your liver produces and helps the cells to absorb and use sugar effectively.
Studies show that Elcephase can have a significant effect on ageing patients with type 2 diabetes, but can be prescribed for all ages. It isnโt ideally prescribed for type 1 diabetes in which the body doesn’t make insulin and is unable to keep the amount of blood sugar under control.
Elcephase comes in doses that are released in different ways. Elcephase 500 mg are available in quick release tablets and slow release versions. Elcephase 1000 SR tablets are also slow released, meaning they release the active ingredient over a longer period of time.
Elcephase 500 uses are more widespread than the Elcephase 1000 SR tablets and you will most probably be prescribed the smaller dosage at the start of treatment.
Metformin: Current knowledge. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, [online] 19(7), pp.658โ64.
Effectiveness and safety of metformin in 51โ675 patients with type 2 diabetes and different levels of renal function: a cohort study from the Swedish National Diabetes Register. BMJ Open, 2(4), p.e001076.
Effectiveness and safety of metformin in 51โ675 patients with type 2 diabetes and different levels of renal function: a cohort study from the Swedish National Diabetes Register. BMJ Open, 2(4), p.e001076.
Metformin: A Hopeful Promise in Aging Research. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, [online] 6(3), p.a025932.
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11.
Your doctor will advise you how much Elcephase to take and when. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully to get the most from the treatment in the safest way.ย
If you feel that Elcephase hasnโt been effective even after youโve taken it for a while, speak to your doctor. Do not change or stop taking it without consulting the doctor.
If you have taken too much Elcephase you might notice symptoms of lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a serious condition which occurs when thereโs too much lactic acid in your bloodstream. Some common lactic acidosis symptoms include: severe fatigue, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea, problems breathing, rapid heart rate and low body temperature.
If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention. Lactic acidosis is a serious condition and will need to be treated immediately.
If you forget to take a scheduled dose of Elcephase, donโt panic. Simply carry on taking the medication as normally instructed. Donโt take two doses to make up for the missed dose as this can lead to an increased risk of side effects, including lactic acidosis, the risks of which are mentioned above. Taking double the dosage also provides no extra benefits.
If youโre worried about missing multiple doses, speak with your doctor. If you keep forgetting to take Elcephase, speak with your doctor or pharmacist, who might be able to offer some advice.
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