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School of thought behind Dr Recommendation

S

SueBlitz

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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?
 
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?
Click to expand...
Seems odd, Metformin doesn't act instantly but by accumulation, so the time it is taken seems irrelevant.
 
As @Resurgam says it’s a accumulation drug so it doesn’t affect BG when taken, the timing may be more to do with the issues around some people having gastric side effects.

When I was very first diagnosed I was on maximum Metformin taking half of it with breakfast & half with evening meal, as I reduced I was on the same dose as you for a short while before reducing further and I took my bigger dose with dinner,
 
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?
 
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