What are the side effects of metformin

[HICHAM_T2]

Hi and good night

What are the side effects of (metformin)

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Hi and good night

What are the side effects of (metformin)

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-medication/metformin-side-effects.html

For me, apart from the initial "Metfartin" stage when I adjusted to it there don't seem to have been any side effects.

I know others haven't been able to adjust to the gut problems.

Some have reported muscle pain, although that isn't in the link above.

https://beta.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/ is also a good read.

I did find a US based site which talked about hypos due to Metformin, and how to treat them, but this made me doubt the accuracy of the site because AFAIK Metformin doesn't usually lower your BG very much. The main role is to reduce the amount of glucose released by the liver, and reduce insulin resistance.

 

[HICHAM_T2]

But Does quality vary from country to country?
Because patients here complain of stomach problems

 

[Rachox]

I don’t get any side effects now. Just had some stomach upset in the very early days.

 

[HICHAM_T2]

 

[LittleGreyCat]

But Does quality vary from country to country?
Because patients here complain of stomach problems

Quality should not vary. It is a standard product and mass produced. You do have to be sure of a reputable supplier, though, as with all prescription drugs.

One thing I did note; I think that there is sometimes more internal reaction if the diet contains significant carbohydrates, so some of the reaction may be down to a specific diet.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I would be wary of those numbers, because the nausea and vomiting percentage seems abnormally high.

Are you sure that these are long term side effects and not just an initial reaction until the body adjusts?

I'm pretty sure that, given that Metformin is one of the most prescribed oral drugs for diabetics, that if 26% had long term nausea and vomiting we would have read a lot more about it here.

 

[HICHAM_T2]

Quality should not vary. It is a standard product and mass produced. You do have to be sure of a reputable supplier, though, as with all prescription drugs.

One thing I did note; I think that there is sometimes more internal reaction if the diet contains significant carbohydrates, so some of the reaction may be down to a specific diet.

I think the standards vary i'm sure

 

[Guzzler]

Why do you think standards may vary? If you are getting your medicines from a proper, reputable source then the standard/quality and dosage will be the same in every country.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

What are the side effects of (metformin)

I have never had any bad side effects with either Metformin or Metformin XR.

Metformin XR was in short supply early last year, so I had to have the fast acting Metformin instead.

But Does quality vary from country to country?

I doubt it as it is a chemical formula, although quality might change in third world countries but I have no proof of that.

 

[Resurgam]

When I reported side effects with my Metformin and statin treatment no note was made by the nurse I reported it to, nor by the second nurse I told - so as far as the medical profession is concerned I am non compliant as not taking a perfectly good medication, not only just getting back to not noticing the problems I was left with.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

When I reported side effects with my Metformin and statin treatment no note was made by the nurse I reported it to, nor by the second nurse I told

How come you never told your GP that Metformin was giving you problems?

 

[Resurgam]

How come you never told your GP that Metformin was giving you problems?

It never occurred to me - I had a lot of problems with my thinking almost as soon as I started to take the tablets, and I could not leave the house for days at a time due to the physical effects. I was very embarrassed about being incontinent.

 

[Dr Snoddy]

Decrease in Vitamin B12 levels. This is listed as a 1 in 10,000 risk but my levels plummeted rapidly from high end of normal to very low end of normal within 3 months of taking Metformin. I supplement, eat plenty of eggs etc but still have trouble maintaining anything but a low level.

 

[Deleted member 308541]

It never occurred to me - I had a lot of problems with my thinking almost as soon as I started to take the tablets, and I could not leave the house for days at a time due to the physical effects.

I hope you have told your GP now though.

 

[Art Of Flowers]

Meformin caused me memory problems and pins and needles in my hands I stopped taking it as it only has minimal benefit for lowering blood glucose. A LCHF diet is much more effective.

Since stopping metformin my HbA1C has dropped from 99 to 41. Metformin can result in increased risk of alzheimers and should not be taken if you have problems with the liver or kidneys.

 

[Rachox]

Meformin caused me memory problems and pins and needles in my hands I stopped taking it as it only has minimal benefit for lowering blood glucose. A LCHF diet is much more effective.

Since stopping metformin my HbA1C has dropped from 99 to 41. Metformin can result in increased risk of alzheimers and should not be taken if you have problems with the liver or kidneys.

Or it can protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depending which bit of research you read!:
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/metformin-and-alzheimers-a-potential-new-therapy/

 

[Resurgam]

I hope you have told your GP now though.

I have not seen my GP since diagnosis - in November 2016, I plan to go in to the surgery about April to see if I can get a blood test,but I am not hopeful.

 

[bangkokdiabetic]

Metformin Is Manufactured By 118 different countries and has 258 Brands (Source http://www.medindia.net/drug-price/metformin.htm ) Note Manufactured In My view almost Guarantees some differences from time to time Not all countries have same hygiene standards as U.K. remember this is a GLOBAL FORUM. on the WORLD WIDE WEB facts often forgotten

 

[HICHAM_T2]

I have never had any bad side effects with either Metformin or Metformin XR.

Metformin XR was in short supply early last year, so I had to have the fast acting Metformin instead.


I doubt it as it is a chemical formula, although quality might change in third world countries but I have no proof of that.

I often find a difference in the quality of medicines between Europe and our countries Unfortunately