What the Patient Counseling Script Generator actually produces

1. WHAT IS THIS MEDICINE FOR? Metformin helps your body control blood sugar. When you have diabetes, your blood sugar gets too high. This medicine helps bring it down by working on how your body uses sugar. It's a first-step medicine that many people take to stay healthy. Let me ask you: In your own words, what do you think this medicine does for you? 2. HOW SHOULD YOU TAKE IT? Take your metformin with food. This is very important. Eat a meal or snack—even something small—and then take your pill with water. Taking it with food helps two things: it helps the medicine work better, and it helps your stomach feel less upset. Take it at the same time each day. If you take it in the morning with breakfast, take it with breakfast every day. If you take it at dinner, do the same. Do not skip meals and do not take it on an empty stomach. Empty stomach can make you feel sick. Swallow the pill whole with water. Do not crush or chew it. Store your pills in a cool, dry place—not in the bathroom where it's humid. Can you tell me back: When will you take your metformin, and what meal will you take it with? 3. WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT? Good things: Your blood sugar will start going down over a few weeks. You may feel less tired and thirsty. Common side effects that usually go away: A little nausea, loose stools, a funny taste in your mouth, or a little belly bloating. These are common and usually get better in a week or two. If they stay bad, call us. What to watch for and CALL US RIGHT AWAY if this happens: - Severe vomiting that won't stop - Diarrhea that is very bad or won't stop (can make you very weak) - Feeling like you can't catch your breath or chest feels tight - Feeling very weak, dizzy, or confused - Muscle pain or aching that is new and bad - You are taking a dye medicine for a test—STOP metformin right before and tell the doctor - Any sign of a very serious infection (fever, chills, sweating a lot) About alcohol: Do not drink a lot of alcohol. Alcohol can make a very bad problem called lactic acidosis happen. Stick to no more than one drink a day, or skip it. Do not take extra metformin if you miss a dose. Just take your next dose at the regular time. When to call the pharmacy or doctor: - Side effects are bad and don't go away in two weeks - You are having very bad diarrhea - You feel like you are getting very sick - You are going to have a test with dye—ask about stopping metformin - You have questions Do you have any questions about side effects or when to call us?

• Take with food at meals — never on an empty stomach • Same time every day — pick breakfast, lunch, or dinner and stick with it • Common side effects (nausea, loose stools) usually go away in 1-2 weeks — call us if they don't • CALL RIGHT AWAY if very weak, can't breathe, severe vomiting, or bad diarrhea that won't stop • Avoid extra alcohol (no more than one drink per day) — alcohol + metformin can cause serious problems

METFORMIN 500 MG — WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS THIS MEDICINE? Metformin helps your body control blood sugar. It is used to treat diabetes. HOW TO TAKE IT ✓ Take with food (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) ✓ Take at the same time every day ✓ Swallow the whole pill with water ✓ Never take on an empty stomach ✓ If you forget a dose, take it when you remember—unless it is almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose. STORAGE ✓ Keep pills in a cool, dry place ✓ Keep away from heat and humidity COMMON SIDE EFFECTS (These usually go away) - Feeling a little sick to your stomach - Loose stools or soft poop - Upset belly or bloating - Funny taste in your mouth These usually feel better after 1-2 weeks. WARNINGS ⚠ Do NOT drink a lot of alcohol. One drink a day or less is okay. ⚠ If you are having a test with special dye, STOP metformin first. Tell your doctor you take this medicine. ⚠ If you are very sick (fever, chills, sweating a lot), call your doctor. CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACY RIGHT AWAY IF YOU HAVE: • Very bad nausea or vomiting that won't stop • Very bad diarrhea that won't stop • Trouble catching your breath or chest pain • Feeling very weak, dizzy, or confused • New muscle pain or aching that is very bad QUESTIONS? Call your pharmacy or doctor. We are here to help.