Accidentally took diabetes medicine - I am non-diabetic

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yu2901

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Hello

I mixed up paracetamol with my aunt's diabetic medicine - I think she takes metformin. I only took one tablet (500mg? maybe) by accident because I was in a rush and they looked the same. And I'm a bit worried. Will there be any affects? How long does it stay in the body? Is there any foods I should avoid or take?

I feel fine at the moment but I'm still a little scared. I'm also 23 and non-diabetic. Thank you
 
EllieM

EllieM

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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.
However metformin is a pretty mild medication used for a number of conditions other than diabetes (eg PCOS) so I personally doubt that one tablet will have much effect (other than possibly an upset stomach as some people react badly to it).

However, for peace of mind, depending on where you live, your country probably has a poisons hotline that you could phone.
Can I ask where you are located?
 
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yu2901

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EllieM said:
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.
However metformin is a pretty mild medication used for a number of conditions other than diabetes (eg PCOS) so I personally doubt that one tablet will have much effect (other than possibly an upset stomach as some people react badly to it).

However, for peace of mind, depending on where you live, your country probably has a poisons hotline that you could phone.
Can I ask where you are located?
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you so much for responding.
I called the poisons hotline and they said something very similar to what you said, that it's a mild medication. They advised me to just to eat regularly and not to worry. And also I don't have to worry about my blood sugar? Right now, I don't feel any reactions or anything so hoping that's a good sign
 
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HSSS

HSSS

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yu2901 said:
Hi, thank you so much for responding.
I called the poisons hotline and they said something very similar to what you said, that it's a mild medication. They advised me to just to eat regularly and not to worry. And also I don't have to worry about my blood sugar? Right now, I don't feel any reactions or anything so hoping that's a good sign
Click to expand...
Also not a dr. No I wouldn’t worry about your blood sugar. (Nor would I if it were my adult child in your shoes for example) It’s a very mild medication and doesn’t work by immediately lowering blood sugar like something like insulin does. It works in the background limiting sugar supply from the liver rather than from food. Just eating normally will still supply the sugar it usually does. It also needs the dose to be built up over at least several days to be properly effective. A single tablet barely would do anything (out side allergies). And whilst I wouldn’t be worried you did the right thing seeking official reassurance. I’d just move on now and learn the valuable lesson to be more careful selecting tablets in future, fortunately this time with no ill effects other than worry.
 
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yu2901

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HSSS said:
Also not a dr. No I wouldn’t worry about your blood sugar. (Nor would I if it were my adult child in your shoes for example) It’s a very mild medication and doesn’t work by immediately lowering blood sugar like something like insulin does. It works in the background limiting sugar supply from the liver rather than from food. Just eating normally will still supply the sugar it usually does. It also needs the dose to be built up over at least several days to be properly effective. A single tablet barely would do anything (out side allergies). And whilst I wouldn’t be worried you did the right thing seeking official reassurance. I’d just move on now and learn the valuable lesson to be more careful selecting tablets in future, fortunately this time with no ill effects other than worry.
Click to expand...

Hello, this was so helpful and comforting to read! Thank you so much. I can be a bit of a worrywart and worried about the immediate affects and if one tablet would be enough to make any drastic changes in my body, but its hard for me to discern that when its a medication I hadn't heard of and tried learning about for the first time. And the internet can be an overwhelming place especially when even the mildest symptoms are listed next to the most severest outcomes for some articles haha. It's very nice hearing about how it actually works

I did have a bit of an upset stomach/mild stomach pains just now but I feel a lot less worried. Thank you both for your replies :) I will definitely be careful moving forward
 
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