Drug long term use

[Buse Doctor]

Is diabetes medication causing tissue and organ rotten in the long run?

 

[EllieM]

Hi @Buse Doctor and welcome to the forums.

Most medications have side effects of some form for some people but I haven't heard of any in particular causing organs to rot.

If you are thinking about diabetes complications such as gangrene, my understanding is that that is normally a side affect of high blood sugars ie insufficiently controlled diabetes.

Are you asking about a specific diabetes drug in particular?

 

[Buse Doctor]

Hi @Buse Doctor and welcome to the forums.

Most medications have side effects of some form for some people but I haven't heard of any in particular causing organs to rot.

If you are thinking about diabetes complications such as gangrene, my understanding is that that is normally a side affect of high blood sugars ie insufficiently controlled diabetes.

Are you asking about a specific diabetes drug in particular?

Thank you very much. I appreciate your response.
Can you please see if a diabetic taking galvusmet has anything to worry about, as long term effects?

 

[EllieM]

Can you please see if a diabetic taking galvusmet has anything to worry about, as long term effects?

I have to be careful what I say here, as I don't have personal experience of this drug and forum rule B13 states that we don't give medical advice and any advice needs to be given from personal experience or with a reputable link.
(Forum rules are in the introduction forum and in the signature of all moderators).

Also, the long term effect on you will depend on lots of personal information that we can't know, so it is really a question better asked of your doctor.

So here is what I can say.

Galvusmet appears to be a combination of metformin and vildagliptin

Galvumet

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) about Galvumet (Vildagliptin/Metformin hydrochloride) intended for persons living in Australia.

www.news-medical.net

Not sure about the long term effects of vildagliptin but I know that one long term effect of metformin can be a reduction of vitamin B12 levels, so you might want to monitor that occasionally???

Side effects of metformin

NHS medicines information on side effects of metformin and what you can do to cope.

www.nhs.uk

Personally I am a big fan of medications if you need them (I am a long term user of insulin, as I don't make any of my own, and blood pressure medication to protect my eyes and kidneys from the fact that as a T1 diabetic I have had decades of less than perfect blood sugar levels).

But a lot of the T2s on these boards reduce or eliminate their need for medication by reducing the carbohydrates in their diets. This may or may not be an option that you are interested in?

I think that T2 forumites are better placed for further comments on your medication.

 

[catinahat]

Is diabetes medication causing tissue and organ rotten in the long run?

Welcome @Buse Doctor
All medications have side effects, if possible the best way to treat T2 is to alter your diet to prevent your blood sugar levels from getting high in the first place.
But if you are unable to alter your diet or you are past the point where dietary changes can help, then medications and their side effects are preferable to high blood sugar.
Consistently high blood blood sugar will cause more problems and damage to your organs and tissue than medication
Here's a few links that should help you with any diet changes you might want to make
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb