School of thought behind Dr Recommendation

SueBlitz said:

My metformin was changed to two different timed doses.
1G and. 500mg.
I was told to choose when I wanted to take the 1G, either morning or evening. The 500mg was then obviously to be taken at the opposite end of the day.
I eat 3 meals per day so asked if I could just take 500mg with each meal? Was told No, and given no good reason why not. Is there something I don't understand about the timing of doses?
Have not found any NHS guidelines on this.
Anyone else experienced this rigid approach?

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Seems odd, Metformin doesn't act instantly but by accumulation, so the time it is taken seems irrelevant.

As others have said Metformin has a cumulative effect, so won’t have an immediate effect on any particular meal. I used to be on it, I took 1000mg with breakfast and 500mg with dinner. Whatever you decide just make sure you take it with food to avoid gastric side effects.

Seems a little trite to ask, but did you ask the prescriber for an explanation why it can’t be 3 doses if you prefer it that way?

Melgar said:

@Duncan Mackay did you mean to just post a link with no comment ?

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Sorry, nope....I thought that I had included my comment that according to NICE there is no strict rule on how to take metformin doses, other than at same times each day

I have 2 doses of metformin morning and evening and don’t take it with meals.

I have to agree with others in that it doesn't seem to matter when you take metformin as it is one one of those things that has a a cumulative effect as opposed to an immediate effect soon after taking. I have been experimenting with my metformin prescribed twice a day with meals in order to influence my blood sugar readings. No matter when I take the metformin it seems to have no effect whatsoever on my readings but it does seem to stop the nasty symptoms of diabetes.
We have to be guided and accept professional advice but there is always room for a bit of experimentation and if it works for you, great! If not, at least you tried.