PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsMedium
A pharmacy technician is reviewing a patient's medication profile and notes a new order for 'Metformin 500 mg, take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily with meals.' What is the primary reason metformin is typically prescribed to be taken with meals?
- ATo decrease gastrointestinal side effects
- BTo prevent hypoglycemia
- CTo increase its therapeutic effect
- DTo improve its absorption rate
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. To decrease gastrointestinal side effects
Metformin, especially at the initiation of therapy or with dose increases, commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Taking it with meals helps to mitigate these effects, improving patient tolerability and adherence.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Metformin primarily works by reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity; it generally does not cause hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy.
- C. Taking with food does not significantly increase its therapeutic effect.
- D. Food can actually slightly delay metformin absorption, not improve it.
Metformin Administration with Meals
Metformin is typically taken with meals to reduce the incidence and severity of common gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
- Common GI side effects (nausea, diarrhea)
- Taking with food improves tolerability
- Does not typically cause hypoglycemia alone
Memory trick: Metformin: Mealtime Minimizes Misery.