Metformin SR

[Evasmom]

Hi everyone
I live in Ireland and I've been on the normal metformin for a few years now for T2. However, I'm from N.Ireland and both of my parents take Glucophage slow release and get on fine with it.
Recently I've found that the normal glucophage is giving me a lot of wind and diarrhoea (which can come on quite suddenly) so I asked my GP to change to slow release. It's not widely used in Ireland and she'd not heard of it and when I took the prescription to the chemist they didn't even have it in stock.
So here's the issue - neither of them can tell me how to take it. The label on the medicine says 1 x 750mg twice a day. However my mum takes 2 x 750mg after her main meal in the evening. My main problem is my fasting BG level which is between 7 &8.
Can anyone advise??
Thanks
Alison

 

[berylc]

I sympathise with you as I had the same problems with metformin, normal and slow release. I've been off it for a year now and feel great (with the go-ahead from my diabetic nurse). I took one tablet twice a day (breakfast and bedtime) but everyone will be different. Go back and ask your pharmacist, Diabetes nurse or Dr for advice.
Have you thought of the Low carb, high fat diet (LCHF) it can help type 2 folk, but research it thoroughly before thinking about it. The book 'The 8 week sugar diet' by Dr Michael Mosley is a great souce of reference.
Also the link to the low carb program is a great place for information. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb/
Others here are far more knowledgeable and will no doubt come and advise you.

 

[toplessmin]

Hi everyone
I live in Ireland and I've been on the normal metformin for a few years now for T2. However, I'm from N.Ireland and both of my parents take Glucophage slow release and get on fine with it.
Recently I've found that the normal glucophage is giving me a lot of wind and diarrhoea (which can come on quite suddenly) so I asked my GP to change to slow release. It's not widely used in Ireland and she'd not heard of it and when I took the prescription to the chemist they didn't even have it in stock.
So here's the issue - neither of them can tell me how to take it. The label on the medicine says 1 x 750mg twice a day. However my mum takes 2 x 750mg after her main meal in the evening. My main problem is my fasting BG level which is between 7 &8.
Can anyone advise??
Thanks
Alison

 

[toplessmin]

by odd coincidence I rang the manufacturers of metformin SR (Merck Serono Ltd) yesterday and for a single dose of metformin SR daily this should be taken in the evening according to their information. Please double check with them or your medic in case there was any understanding. As a matter of fact I was not aware of this and have been taking mine in the morning but that's another story (seeing my diabetic nurse tomorrow )

 

[Marky1974]

I couldn't take normal metformin at all - it was giving me severe stomach cramps. Not so much diahreah but unbearable pain. I told the doc, they put me onto SR and I've been fine since, although I regularly get conflicting advice on how to take it.
I initially was told 1 with lunch 3 with tea, then I was told 4 with tea only, now I'm 2 with lunch 2 with tea!!
Mark

 

[Ultramum]

I take mine all first thing in the morning BUT I am testing my BGs and doing so with the blessing of my dr - mainly due to the effect it seems to have on shutting down my liver DP glucose production.

 

[nomoredonuts]

I couldn't take normal metformin at all - it was giving me severe stomach cramps. Not so much diahreah but unbearable pain. I told the doc, they put me onto SR and I've been fine since, although I regularly get conflicting advice on how to take it.
I initially was told 1 with lunch 3 with tea, then I was told 4 with tea only, now I'm 2 with lunch 2 with tea!!
Mark

That's a hefty dose, Mark. How long have you had diabetes? Do you follow any diet or regime?