DIAFORMIN - CMI

(Alphapharm)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Diaformin.

It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes
educator.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Diaformin against the benefits they expect
it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes educator.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Diaformin is used for
Diaformin is used to control blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus:

Type 1, also called insulin dependent diabetes

Type 2, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity onset diabetes.

Diaformin is used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is used when diet and exercise are not enough to control your
blood glucose. Diaformin can be used alone, or in combination with other medicines for treating diabetes.

Diaformin can also be used in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus where insulin alone is not enough to control blood glucose
levels.

Diaformin is available only with a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that Diaformin is addictive.

How Diaformin works

Diaformin belongs to a group of medicines called biguanides. Diaformin lowers blood glucose by helping your body make better
use of the insulin produced by your pancreas.

If your blood glucose is not properly controlled, you may experience hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycaemia (high
blood glucose).

Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) can occur suddenly. Signs may include:

weakness, trembling or shaking

sweating

lightheadedness, dizziness, headache or lack of concentration

irritability, tearfulness or crying

hunger

numbness around the lips and tongue.

If not treated promptly, these may progress to:

loss of co-ordination

slurred speech

confusion

fits or loss of consciousness.

Hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) usually occurs more slowly than hypoglycaemia. Signs of hyperglycaemia may include:

lethargy or tiredness

headache

thirst

passing large amounts of urine

blurred vision.

Hyperglycaemia can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, circulation or kidneys.
Before you take Diaformin
When you must not take it

- Do not take Diaformin if you are allergic to:

medicines containing metformin or any other biguanide

any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

- Do not take Diaformin if you have any of the following medical conditions:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus that is well controlled by insulin alone

diabetic acidosis

diabetic coma

kidney disease

severe liver disease

high blood pressure or other heart or blood vessel problems

gangrene

blood clots in the lungs

inflammation of the pancreas.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Diaformin, ask your doctor.

- Do not take Diaformin if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Insulin is more suitable for controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Your doctor will replace Diaformin with insulin while you are
pregnant.

- Do not take Diaformin if the expiry date (Exp.) printed on the pack has passed.

- Do not take Diaformin if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.

Before you start to take it

- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.

- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.

It is not known whether Diaformin passes into breast milk.

Diaformin is usually not recommended while you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks