PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsEasy
A pharmacy technician is reviewing a prescription for 'metformin 500 mg, take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily'. The patient asks if they should take it with or without food. What is the most appropriate instruction for the technician to provide?
- ATake metformin with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
- BTake metformin at bedtime only, regardless of meals.
- CMetformin can be crushed and mixed with food if swallowing is difficult.
- DTake metformin on an empty stomach to maximize absorption.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Take metformin with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Metformin is a common oral medication for type 2 diabetes. A very common side effect is gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhea). Taking metformin with meals helps to mitigate these GI side effects, making it more tolerable for the patient.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Metformin is typically dosed with meals, often twice daily, not just at bedtime.
- C. Metformin should generally be swallowed whole; crushing can alter its release profile or increase GI upset.
- D. Taking metformin on an empty stomach often exacerbates GI side effects.
Metformin Administration
Instructions for taking metformin, an oral antidiabetic, to minimize common gastrointestinal side effects.
- Primary use: Type 2 diabetes.
- Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort.
- Administer with meals to improve tolerability.
Memory trick: Metformin Meals Minimize Misery