• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Nobody told me Metformin causes explosive Diarrhea

I agree @Hopeful34 . I have to make sure there is no gluten or lactose in the fillers. If I am prescribed a new drug I ask the pharmacist to go through the ingredients with me. Personal Sensitivities to food stuffs and ingredients are worth noting.
 
Hopeful34 said:
Or maybe your body has changed, and could cope with it for years, but now can't.
Click to expand...
I’ve experienced this too. I took Metformin for six years no problems. I then switched to a GLP 1 med. When this became unavailable I went back on Metformin, but got gastric upset, so switched to a different GLP 1.
 
Thank you to everybody who has made suggestions and given me a bit of support. Metformin is magic, but it can be a nightmare as well. I am going off to see my GP armed with the knowledge of a dozen fellow diabetics. I wont be treated like a farmyard oddity in meetings again with luck !

Take care !
 
I had to give up Metformin after 2 years of explosive diarrhoea. Fortunately for me it was mainly in the middle of the night but still often didn't make it to the bathroom in time. Tried reducing the dosage, tried slow release. When it started to happen at work I thought enough is enough. My GP agreed to me coming off the pills but offered no alternative. Been 7 years now and no meds. I do however still get the occasional bout of explosive diarrhoea so maybe it is more to do with diet content now that I am low carb.
 
" Fortunately for me it was mainly in the middle of the night " no that sounds awful, so sorry to hear that. There are lots of people on here that have tried other things, and won. If your control is good without - its OK. If not, the GP needs a prompt as there seems to be lots of alternatives. Please go be a nuisance for me !
 
Thanks but after 7 years if low carb/keto/fasting my hb1ac now deemed "normal" at 5.2%. It isn't of course, "normal" as even with my strict regime I still get morning fasting levels in diabetic and pre-diabetic range. GP is happy to have a positive result for his stats. Nurse told me to stop testing - ??? I just know that if I were to eat bread, pasta, rice, cake, potatoes etc. my blood sugar would be much higher.
 
I had diaerea
For 2 years constant diarrhoea. I had blood tests, poo tests, Colonoscopy no one mentioned it was the Metformin. I was told to take it with food but still no improvement also tried the slow release that made things worst as it was on empty stomach. Doctors don't want to admit it's the Metformin because it's the cheapest medication (£2) for diabetes. Saving money on NHS or not if you add all the test and Colonoscopy. Would have been cheaper to prescribe a more expensive medicine in the long run.
 
OH YES ! been there but problem was solved with slow release Metformin. Not funny at the time and a real problem,
and you learn where all the toilets are when your out and about. I hope it works out for you. You will find loads of answers on the forum and loads of help.
 
Many people take metformin without the side effects.

If you read the patient leaflet that comes with metformin, gut issues are the first on the list. It's really worth reading those leaflets for any medication you are prescribed.
 
The Handbook of Diabetes says that about a third of all patients on metformin experience nausea, anorexia, or diarrhoea. So around two-thirds have no issues.

I'd expect to see over-reporting - a larger proportion of people talking about metformin problems - on the forum, because people are probably not going to be reporting or looking for a solution to a problem they don't have.
 
I was put on Metformin due to very high Hba1c(129) wasnt given an alternative. did the usual 1 for 1 week then 2 second 3 thrd 4 (full dose) etc after 5 week it started uncontrollable diarrhea, one of the nights I had such stomach pain had to rush for toilet and almost passed out shivering sweating went white that point was it I got a diabetic nurse appt and as good as told her I want off it
Now on insulin and she asked me to try just 1 metformin a day (not problems up to now)
 
I asked to use insulin rather than metformin, I was asked to take 2 a day but took one in morning with food hour before insulin. after a few week of no problems I went back to 2 a day (am now being asked to go back on full dose...........I said NOOOO) Insulin is now 20 units and has ups and downs with blood sugar measurements. Due next Hba1c till August
 
Last edited:
Yep I have actually pooed myself walking home from work. It’s awful. I have been taken off it & given another medication I cannot spell or think of here….but it is not working & my bloods are high….so I’m almost weeing myself but better than the other!!! I’m going back to my GP tomorrow. X
 
SITAGLIPTIN. X
 
Fantastic. X
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…