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Riomet ER

Generic name: metformin [ met-FOR-min ]
Brand names: Glumetza, MetFORMIN (Eqv-Fortamet), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glucophage XR), MetFORMIN (Eqv-Glumetza), Fortamet, Glucophage XR, Riomet ER

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 23, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

The Riomet ER brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

What is Riomet ER?

Riomet ER is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Riomet ER is sometimes used together with insulin or other medications, but this medicine is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Riomet ER may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Riomet ER side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people using Riomet ER develop lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as:

Common side effects of Riomet ER may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Riomet ER side effects (more detail)

Warnings

You should not use Riomet ER if you have severe kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking Riomet ER.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Riomet ER if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

If you need to have surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking Riomet ER. Be sure your caregivers know ahead of time that you are using this medication.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Riomet ER may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Riomet ER should not be given to a child younger than 10 years old. Some forms of metformin are not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Riomet ER?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take Riomet ER with a meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Some forms of metformin are taken only once daily with the evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Some tablets are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Part of this shell may appear in your stool. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Riomet ER is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking Riomet ER. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.

Detailed Riomet ER dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis.

What should I avoid while taking Riomet ER?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

What other drugs will affect Riomet ER?

Many drugs can affect Riomet ER, making Riomet ER less effective or increasing your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Riomet ER drug interactions (more detail)

Does Riomet ER interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Popular FAQ

Can you take metformin without food?

If you take metformin without food you may end up with an upset stomach, especially if you are just starting treatment. Nausea and vomiting is one of the most common side effects with metformin and can occur in over a quarter of patients. Continue reading

Is Ozempic better than metformin?

Ozempic (semaglutide) and metformin have not been directly compared in head-to-head clinical studies, so it is difficult to know if one works better than the other to treat type 2 diabetes. In separate studies, metformin and Ozempic lowered hemoglobin A1C by a similar percentage. There are several factors that can help determine if Ozempic or metformin is the best treatment option for you, including route of administration, side effects, and cost. Continue reading

Why does Metformin smell like fish?

Pharmacists and patients are well aware that metformin may come with a fishy smell when you open the bottle. The smell does not mean the drug is spoiled, it's just due to it's inherent chemical characteristics. Continue reading

How long does metformin take to work?

Metformin will usually start lowering your blood sugar (glucose) levels in the first week of treatment, but it may take 2 to 3 months to see its full effect. Metformin is a preferred initial oral treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, and is usually taken on a long-term basis. It may be combined with other blood glucose-lowering treatments, if needed. Continue reading

When is the best time to take metformin?

Metformin should be taken after having a meal or eating food, especially when you are first starting treatment. This can help reduce any stomach side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or gas. These side effects generally go away within a few weeks after starting treatment. Continue reading

What is the safest diabetes medication?

Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Continue reading

Why does metformin cause diarrhea?

According to the manufacturer, about 53% of people taking metformin immediate-release tablets experienced diarrhea in one clinical study. In another study, 10% of people taking metformin extended-release tablets reported diarrhea as a side effect. Continue reading

Does metformin cause weight loss?

Metformin, an oral type 2 diabetes medicine, may lead to a modest weight loss and does not usually lead to significant, if any, weight gain. In various clinical studies, when metformin was used alone, it led to a weight loss of 0.7 to 3.8 kg (1.5 to 8.4 lbs) in most patients, but other studies have shown weight loss up to 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs). Continue reading

Does metformin lower A1C, if so how much?

When metformin is used alone as monotherapy, it lowers A1C by about 1% to 2% on average. A1C is a measure of longer-term blood sugar control. In most patients, metformin is suggested as the initial treatment for type 2 diabetes, but its glucose-lowering effect may not be adequate for all patients if used alone. Continue reading

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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