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Metformin vs. Metformin XR (slow release)

E

Ellis79

Well-Known Member
Messages
54
Location
Israel
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi,

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been on regular Metformin and then tried the slow release version and whether there was any improvement in side effects with the latter (i.e. the slow release version). I was unable to use the regular one as my stomach couldn't handle it (diarrhea) and have the option of trying it in slow release form in the combination medication Januet XR.

Thanks,
Ellis
 
I have been on both, and while I could tell you the slow release was fine, I'd have to confess the regular one was as well, so not very helpful.
Others do report a good success switching though, then only way to tell is to try them yourself I'm afraid.
 
I was started on the MR one, so I haven't got the regular Met to compare with, but my side effects are pretty minimal; occasional diarrhoea and facial sweating for a couple of hours after taking it. That's it really.
 
I've been on both too. I found that my stomach was too fast for the SR version and my levels were higher. I went back to the regular version. I found that I can't eat wheat and take metformin.
 
Thanks very much.
 
Loobles said:
I was started on the MR one, so I haven't got the regular Met to compare with, but my side effects are pretty minimal; occasional diarrhoea and facial sweating for a couple of hours after taking it. That's it really.
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Thanks very much Lou. I couldn't handle the regular but if the SR version works OK it should help improve my insulin resistance together with the dose of Amaryl I'm already taking.
Ellis
 
Thanks v. much Douglas
 
))Denise(( said:
I've been on both too. I found that my stomach was too fast for the SR version and my levels were higher. I went back to the regular version. I found that I can't eat wheat and take metformin.
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Thanks Denise, I would point out that, from what I have heard and read, slow - release medications, as a whole, take longer to have an effect on levels - I took Actos for over a month or even longer before it started to impact on my resistance. Was interested to read your discovery that you can't eat wheat and take Metformin. Haven't come across that before.
 
When I was taking the regular Metformin I felt very ill, had a permanent headache and very bad gastric troubles. My first reaction on switching to Glucophage SR was that I quickly began to feel more 'normal'. I still maintain that it affects my sleep, though. To begin with I had a period of weeks when I regularly had very vivid dreams and even now, after several months on SR, I regularly wake about 2 or 3am. Most nights I can get back to sleep, but occasionally I am awake for hours!
 
I initially on metformin and had lots of stomach problems, when I switched to the SR I found it was much better for me. I agree with member getting on my dreams are vivid and I always wake up in the night.
 
My stomach does seem to have a bit of a mind of its own. Sorry if TMI but my digestion is very fast - 12 to 18 hours transit (always has been). I was on the SR version for about three months before I gave it up and went back to the normal version as it wasn't quick enough - I was on two 1000 mg tablets, maybe it would have been better to have been on 4 500 mg tablets.

I find that wheat makes the tummy problems with metformin loads worse. Most of the time I am ok (I've been taking metformin for nearly 7 years now).

Edit: I can't count how many years I've had Type 2.
 
Hello , a question I need the answer to ..so thank you for raising it,.some people have already helped me with suggestions ...I have been on metformin for neatly two years , had gastric problems all the time embarrassing wind after eating etc ...first week on SR so I will have to wait and see what happens over the next few months to see what happens ....and as I have reduced from 1500mg to 1000mg I will see what my next hba1c will be ..sorry you are having a bad time on medication .... I must admit I feel better in myself after one week on SR I have felt just over dosed before and really tired ....so a small change I have noticed but it is early days ....Kat Hope you get your meds sorted ....
 
Thanks for sharing. Actually, I have had a few odd dreams with the medication I'm on at the moment (Trajenta), so perhaps it could be apprehension in general.
 
Medication
Ellis79 said:
Thanks for sharing. Actually, I have had a few odd dreams with the medication I'm on at the moment (Trajenta), so perhaps it could be apprehension in general.
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and strange dreams can happen ...strange but true ....
 
Thanks Kat, and good luck - to you and myself - with the SR version. I actually have another option lined up if this one doesn't work. I got a free sample pack of Bydureon once weekly injections from a specialist I saw at a hospital a few months ago. So will try that if I can't handle the SR Metformin either.
 
Goodness , that sounds like a good action plan ....impressed ....I don't know anything about a once a week injection ....I will google ...
Good luck ...hope something works ...this sharing for support is great ....x
 
Kat100 said:
Goodness , that sounds like a good action plan ....impressed ....I don't know anything about a once a week injection ....I will google ...
Good luck ...hope something works ...this sharing for support is great ....x
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Hi Kat, For your information, there are currently two medications on the market available as once - a - week injections. One is Bydureon, which actually contains the same medication as Byetta but in a slow release format. The other is called 'Eperzan' (in the US it is marketed under the brand name Tanzeum, for some inexplicable reason). A third medication called 'Dulicity', has just recently been approved for use in the US and, as opposed to the other two, it apparently comes pre - mixed in a ready - to - use injection pen like Victoza or the standard insulin pens. And I'm sure there'll be more on the way after that.
 
Hi Ellis ,
Thank you for sharing information ....I am not knowledgeable about these .....but learning ..
All very interesting ....I am hoping though my SR works ....good luck with which ever you choose ...take care ..best wishes Kat x
Great to hear from you by the way ...
 
Keep well, look after yourself and let us all know how you get on with the SR - I will do the same, when I get round to it. I suppose it's a good job that we do indeed have a choice today. Ellis
 
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