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Fortamet is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes. Fortamet helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Fortamet also increases your body's response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Fortamet is not used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.
Fortamet comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken with meals two or three times a day. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily with the evening meal. To help you remember to take Fortamet, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Fortamet exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow Fortamet extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Fortamet and gradually increase your dose not more often than once every 1–2 weeks. You will need to monitor your blood sugar carefully so your doctor will be able to tell how well Fortamet is working. Fortamet controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take Fortamet even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Fortamet without talking to your doctor. |