No.
But I don't think that the negative experiences of a few people who have an intolerance to Metformin should mean that the drug itself should be characterised as "pernicious"
Many thousands of people Worldwide are prescribed Metformin daily, and get huge benefits from taking the drug, and the ultimate cost to the NHS would certainly be phenomenal if lots of newly diagnosed T2D were "frightened" into refusing the drug by the very vocal but also very few people who do suffer unfortunate side affects.
Absolutely infuriating, I agree. But Metformin is not the only drug to cause patients problems, and you are, alas, not the only patient to have your valid concerns and theories about your symptoms ignored. Whenever I am prescribed a new (to me) drug, before taking it I READ the leaflet enclosed, particularly nowadays to check if it may be expected to raise my bg. Then I check on the internet, because some leaflets are less informative than others. For Metformin, it was my choice to request it from my GP, having first read the recommendations in Dr Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" and Jenny Ruhl's "Your Diabetes Questions Answered".What annoyed me was that despite my problems no notice was taken - as far as the NHS is concerned I am a naughty non compliant patient, not someone who went through a terrible experience trying to take the tablets.
I'm intolerant of all other diabetes meds. Why I'm on insulin. Metformin possible side effects were confused with IBS symptoms so I will be try back on it on Monday. Wish me luck?What annoyed me was that despite my problems no notice was taken - as far as the NHS is concerned I am a naughty non compliant patient, not someone who went through a terrible experience trying to take the tablets.
I was losing the will to live on Metformin and a statin, started and stopped at the same time after five weeks of dreadful side effects.
I have been urged to restart them whenever I saw anyone involved in my care, diabetes education people and nurses - but the last time I asked if no record of the state I got into was put into my notes, and it had not been - I said it should be recorded and reported, but was told that as I was taking two tablets it was not possible, as it was not clear which one was the problem.
I would bring it up with my doctor but I have not seen him since diagnosis.
When it is not clear which of two medications - or if it was both of them acting together, it can't be reported, according the the nurse I saw.here in Denmark, we can ourselves report side effects of medication, I wonder if there might be such an online medical side effect site where the patients themselves can report the side effects they have endured in Great Brittain too ?
I could never tolerate Metformin, I really suffered while I was on it. And I took it for couple of years and honestly, my sugar was always high regardless the medication. Until last three years when I switched to Amaryl then it’s a miracle drug to me besides Alogliptin. My sugar haven’t been this stable in a long time.
Can you please tell us more about Amaryl?
It is Glimepiride, a sulfonylurea.
Absolute agreement.
I have noticed when we get threads about Metformin, it is usually people who have had bad experiences of the drug who are the most vocal. Which might give the impression that most people have problems with it. I do not think this is the case.
I have also noticed that posters have started making statements such as 'Metformin won't affect your blood glucose'.
This is incorrect, and when I see this stated, I have started giving some accurate information on the effectiveness of the drug. Many people worldwide find it invaluble to control their type 2, and it would be tragic if those people's health was negatively affected by a vocal minority who get contraindications from Metformin.
Regarding the effectiveness of Metformin in lowering blood glucose.
This meta study
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/2/446
showed
A total of 35 trials were identified for the main analysis and 7 for the dose-comparison analysis. Metformin monotherapy lowered HbA1c by 1.12% (95% CI 0.92–1.32; I2 = 80%) versus placebo, metformin added to oral therapy lowered HbA1c by 0.95% (0.77–1.13; I2 = 77%) versus placebo added to oral therapy
monotherapy is when only one drug is used
In case anyone is wondering, the 1.12% figure mentioned is the % shown at the top of the arc (image below) equates to approx 11 mmol/mol (as used in UK HbA1c results).
As a real life example, that means someones HbA1c would lower from 70 to 59 mmol/mol on the chart below
Another way of looking at it, is to understand that those same people would see each of their home finger prick tests drop by an average of 1.5mmol/l
(depending on dose and individual physiology, of course)
I am not going to pretend that Metformin doesn't cause contraindications, some of which are very unpleasant. No drug suits everyone. And no one should continue to take a drug that disagrees with them. However I don't feel it is approriate to state that Metformin in ineffective at lowering blood glucose, when the trials exist proving otherwise.
Regarding Metformin causing B12 deficiency.
Yes, it is proven that long term (months or years) of Metformin use may cause progressive B12 deficiency in some, but not all patients.
https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c2181
Since Metformin acts to reduce B12 absorption in the gut, it is possible to supplement with sublingual B12 or have supplements by injection on prescription.
The quoted study suggests that all patients prescribed Metformin longterm should be given periodic tests for B12 deficiency.
Anyone not offered these tests can ask for them from their doctor.
This seems very sensible, and I would encourage anyone to supplement with B12 if they feel concerned.
It is always going to be up to the patient, and their doctor, to weigh up the risks and benefits of any drug treatment, and make informed decisions. Once again, I personally prefer that those decisions are based on evidence from scientific studies. Then I use personal experience of taking the drug to decide whether it will suit me personally.
On early diagnosis I had lower blood pressure on higher bgs and excellent bgs gave me higher blood pressure and had to have BP tablets. First pregnancy was when I took my first BP tablet. Never before.the year I took metformin it only had an effect on my sleep quality by making me have to pee every second hour during my sleep, that was so annoying that I ended up eating the whole dose in the morning instead of taking it twice a day, and maybe also had an effect on my kidneys by raising my blood pressure. I´ve never had raised blood pressure before unless I was extremely ill
On early diagnosis I had lower blood pressure on higher bgs and excellent bgs gave me higher blood pressure and had to have BP tablets. First pregnancy was when I took my first BP tablet. Never before.
Looking forward to less BP tablets after bariatric op. Awaiting bariatric team to make a start with plans for me now. Everything else has been tick boxed.
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