Metformin - Before, After or With food?

Annie B

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I take mine after breakfast and have had no problems
When is the best time to take Metformin? I was told originally to take it after food. I'm on 3x500mg a day. When I told my doctor that I don't eat breakfast, he said take one in the morning on an empty stomach anyway.

I've recently started taking my metformin half way through my meals. This seems to stop the nasty side effects that you get with metformin, but I *think* it's reducing the effectiveness of the drug.

Now I've read that taking it an hour or two BEFORE eating is the best way to take the drug. The same source (lost in my browser history now.... :( ) said that taking it with food can decrease the effectiveness of Metformin. (Mt Dad is also on Met - it was HIS doctor that recomended taking it WITH food. Mine recomended taking it AFTER food).

Anyone got any experience of this? What it would mean is that I would have approx. 1000mg in my system (1 met when I wake up, and 1 before lunch) before I've eaten anything. I eat lunch at around 12:00 (lo-carb, of course!).
 

Annie B

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
The best time to take Metformin, is just before or with food to avoid acid reflux indigestion, that this medication can cause, as well as anti inflammatory pills.