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how do I search for metformin

C

Cowboyjim

Well-Known Member
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1,294
Been trying to gen up on this pesky pill I have to take several times a day so I thought I would pop in a search for it on my fave forum... nowt doing due to too many results! Well, that is not too surprising I suppose but not much help..

Anyone help please? Thanks!

I have been pondering on how long its effects last and when is the best time to take it. Not a lot of help on WP etc in this regard. All they go on about is the side effects etc.

Also, how much booze you can drink when on them. Has a weird effect on me. I take Lisonopril for my HT as well which includes a diuretic but when I have my Sunday couple of pints I don't need to pee as often... could be worse I suppose but still curious.

I have a couple of pints of Guinness with no obvious side effects tho I don't measure the BG because I am out... maybe I could have an alternative drink but what? Pubs aren't very helpful.
Cheers!
8)
 
I can probably help you as far as the slow release type are concerned Glucophage SR 500mg) as I take four of them each day and this is how my DN advised. I used to take the standard type but they caused too much wind and other gastric disturbances.

2 with breakfast
1 with lunch
1 with the evening meal.

According to another site the actual medicating effect of slow release tablets is on average 16 hours.
I used to be a bit of a drinker but that all stopped when diabetes was confirmed, but I do still enjoy the occasional Glenmorangie and also a good pale lager (usually German) where all the sugar has been converted into alcohol, without any problems or very high BG spikes.
 
Cheers y'all!

Doesn't say owt about slow release on the box... supposed to take 2 a day with or after food... 500mg each tab. Seems a bit excessive.

I have three meals a day and snacks in between... so do I take one at brekkie and expect it to last till noon or so for lunch? I am presently taking one with each main meal hoping they overlap all day.

And what about when I am asleep?

All these things wander in and out of my addled brain from time to time. GP/DN don't tell you much.

I think some pople might come away with the feeling that they can carry on eating as they used to. But I don't of course. Seldom eat the starchies or sugaries. So I wonder if the NHS assume you will indulge so they over prescribe?
8)
 
Nowt on t'box much just Almus...Auden Mackenzie is the maker...

On the subject of the dentist maybe it is summat to do with anaesthetic?

This is partly why I want to know what the 'half-life' of the darn stuff is... I suspect some of these meds linger in the body for quite some time. So if you stopped one day thinking you were having an op next day and it is OK it might not be...

Dunno about headaches... I have been on met for nearly a year and had nothing like that. Not so good for the appetite etc tho and I could do with adding some weight.

Maybe some facts about these aspects of met should be on the sticky?
8)
 
Doesn't the box have the name of the drug on it, Jim ?

There should be a patient information leaflet in the box. If there is not then ask the Pharmacist for one.

BTW half life of Metformin is 6.2 hours if that helps.
 
Thanks for the half life update... sure I read that it was 6 hours maybe it was Hana... so taking one at brekkie say 7 am means I am still covered by lunchtime... top up at 1 ish and I am OK for tea too but better get some in hand. All very confusing. I don't want to take more than I have to.
Now all I have to figure out is how many carbs I can eat per milligrams of met.

The box just says Metformin... the leaflet is not much help for what I want to know hence my queries. 8)
 
Jim.
As Met typically only lowers your Bg levels by around 1 - 2 mmol/l and that is when you are taking the Max dose.......not a lot I would think !

Ken
 
Thanks Ken that really cheered me up! :wink:
Is that all? One wonders why anyone puts up with it given the side-effects.
Looks like you must control by diet principally aided by exercise then the met to trim it down a bit.
Once again no one at the HC told me it did so little... one has it in the mind that it acts like a brake on glucose entering the bloodstream. You can eat most things then take your met and it'll be OK... ho ho how wrong is that? Certainly is nowt like injecting insulin I suspect. 8)
 
If you are getting side effects after youve been taking them for a while ask your doctor for the slow release version, it's kinder on your guts.
 
I take the slow release metformin 2x500mg 1 in the morning after breakfast and 1 after evening meal. I try to aid them by also keeping a control on my diet by low carbing. It has also helped my weight and have lost 21/2 stone so far. I did when I first took metformin have headaches not bad ones just headaches for half hour or so through the day but after a few weeks that stopped. I do if i have salad for lunch have the runs to the loo just once or twice in the afternoon. But since retiring from work I don't have it no more don't know why even if i have salad for lunch. (no more stress could be the anwser)

If you read the leaflet it actuallt says no alchol but when I spoke with the DN she said loads of her patients drink and take metformin so I have a drink.

How metformin works with you is best to see how/what food you eat as to your BS level you then test 2 to 3 hours after breakfast 2 to 3 hours after lunch then 2 to 3 hours after your evening meal and if your levels are steady then there is no need to increase your metformin. I have done these tests and found my level stable if they are higher then I want I look at what I have eaten and try either smaller portion or cut it out completely if I have the same result. I would not increase or want to increase my metformin. The more you can do with diet the better you will be.

I don't think you should increase taking them etc only take them as prescribed by your doctor or DN. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to controlling your diabetes you have to set your mind to it an it can get you down and when I get down I visit this forum and it helps to get me back on track. Plus I visit it just to keep abreast with whats going on and it will help you no end.

Best regards
Sue :)

All the best
Sue
 
A tricky and very personal business all this. Clearly what suits one doesn't necessarily suit everyone.
I suppose you should obey your doc/DN instructions... I recall my GP just told me to take the met. Only a while later did the DN write down the build-up regimen... makes you wanna weep.

I feel I am fighting a losing battle too often. The combo of exercise, pills and diet mean I can't put weight back on. Can't eat the fat because of the cholesterol and hypertension FCS. It's no wonder some people just give up.

8)
 
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