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

Sick and Metformin switch, need help

Y

Yeoc

Active Member
Messages
29
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone,

I started on regular Metformin, one tablet for the first week and was sick, had nausea and all the other stuff. I went on to two tablets after a week and got much worse, the thing is I was struggling with stomach problems before Metformin and already on tablets for my stomach, so it is even worse than just Metformin alone. I read about the extended release Metformin and people doing a lot better in that, so my GP changed my script to that.

I just got the medication and am surprised to see it say 500mg tablets and to take the same as with prior Metformin, building up one per day.for a week.and then adding a second tablet and so on until on 3 tablets 3 times a day.

I thought extended/slow release was one large dose a day that slowly went into your system?

I am a little confused. This is called Metabet SR.
 
Yeoc said:
Hi everyone,

I started on regular Metformin, one tablet for the first week and was sick, had nausea and all the other stuff. I went on to two tablets after a week and got much worse, the thing is I was struggling with stomach problems before Metformin and already on tablets for my stomach, so it is even worse than just Metformin alone. I read about the extended release Metformin and people doing a lot better in that, so my GP changed my script to that.

I just got the medication and am surprised to see it say 500mg tablets and to take the same as with prior Metformin, building up one per day.for a week.and then adding a second tablet and so on until on 3 tablets 3 times a day.

I thought extended/slow release was one large dose a day that slowly went into your system?

I am a little confused. This is called Metabet SR.
Click to expand...

What does the packaging say, and the Patient Information Leaflet? Does it say it is SR or ER?
 
It says Metabet SR 500mg Prolonged Release tablets. Metformin Hydrochloride.

I guess they are slow release, it seems to say as much.

It also says the tablets are coated in shellac and from what I understand the brand's that are coated in that tend to make people sick a lot of the time.

from what I am heading Glucophage SR seems to cause far fewer problems than this or the other brand with shallac which starts with an S, Suko something or other. Sukkarto?

Thx for the reply/question.
 
Last edited:
Yeoc said:
I thought extended/slow release was one large dose a day that slowly went into your system?
Click to expand...
It says on my Metformin XR 500 mg packet, "Swallow whole ONE tablet TWICE daily with food".
Yeoc said:
I guess they are slow release, it seems to say as much.
Click to expand...
It does if what you wrote is correct.
Yeoc said:
It also says the tablets are coated in shellac and from what I understand the brand's that are coated in that tend to make people sick a lot of the time.
Click to expand...
I have been taking Metformin XR for two years without any ill effects.
 
Hi Tipetoo,

Thx for the reply.

Can I ask what brand you are on?

The info I detailed was directly from the prescribed leaflet. I hope this medication works and I am not so sick on it, so I can at least give it time. Because I already had stomach problems pre Metformin, the standard release tablets were impossible. I was getting severe stomach cramps and given I have had major surgery (11 hours for liver cancer) that has cut through all the muscles, I couldn't have additional problems there.

With a bit of luck this will be ok, but I understand response differs person to person and brand to brand.

To any and all, please excuse typos and oddities. I am using a tablet that has terrible autocorrect issues.

P.S

It's good to hear you have been well on Metformin XR, glad to hear people are well and it offers hope too.
 
Last edited:
Thx for the info, appreciated. That one uses cellulose, some have said that easier on the stomach. Who knows though, maybe I will be well on this tablet/fine on slow release in general.
 
Yeoc said:
I just got the medication and am surprised to see it say 500mg tablets and to take the same as with prior Metformin, building up one per day.for a week.and then adding a second tablet and so on until on 3 tablets 3 times a day.
Click to expand...

I have always taken 2 X 500mg twice a day. So 2 gms a day. 3 x 500mg 3 times a day is 4.5 gms per day. I thought 2.5 gms was the maximum although I've also seen 3 gms a day as being the maximum.

My problems with Metformin which were severe did ease with the sustained release version but never really disappeared until I lowered my carbs. For me low carbs means no more running to a loo 10+ times a day.
 
Yeoc said:
Hi everyone,

I started on regular Metformin, one tablet for the first week and was sick, had nausea and all the other stuff. I went on to two tablets after a week and got much worse, the thing is I was struggling with stomach problems before Metformin and already on tablets for my stomach, so it is even worse than just Metformin alone. I read about the extended release Metformin and people doing a lot better in that, so my GP changed my script to that.

I just got the medication and am surprised to see it say 500mg tablets and to take the same as with prior Metformin, building up one per day.for a week.and then adding a second tablet and so on until on 3 tablets 3 times a day.

I thought extended/slow release was one large dose a day that slowly went into your system?

I am a little confused. This is called Metabet SR.
Click to expand...
Hi,

I’m on the same Metabet SR tablets. I take 1000 mg in the morning ( 2 x 500) and another 1000 mg in the evening.
I suffered with the original Metformin as it gave me chronic wind and severe stomach problems and although I still get the occasional windy issue (apparently I’m full of hot air!) I have felt much better on the new type than I did before.
The latest guidance re maximum dose appears to be 2500mg- 3500mg a day, or 5 to 7 tablets so I hope your 3 tablets 3 times a day, which would equate to 4500mg, was a mistype ?
Oddly enough I was told that my 2000mg was the maximum dose so that is something I will have to discuss with my doctor.
 
Back
Top