Taking Metformin and feeling sick

[lynnedeloo]

I have been prescribed Metformin 500mg for type 2 diabetes.
I started with 1 tablet in the morning and have now increased it to twice a day for the last 2 weeks.
However, I am feeling very sick and have an upset stomach most days - is this normal????

 

[leeemerick]

Yeah pretty much with bog standard Metformin. Ask your Dr or DSN to swap you to Metformin MR. It's slow release and not as stomach upsetting

 

[leeemerick]

Make sure you tell them how much pain your in etc

 

[Daibell]

Yes, ask for Metformin SR. Sadly surgeries would rather save a few pence than avoid these symptoms; a bit short-sighted as they then incur the cost of you going back to the surgery

 

[jack412]

if you have gone for 2 weeks with a crook tum, @Daibell said, get the slow release, it's a good drug worth a bit of effort

 

[Cap'n M]

Yes, I agree with the above comments regarding the much better GI tolerance of sustained release metformin.
UK GPs should not need a lot of arm twisting to substitute the SR version for the standard tabs, as with generic substitution, the cost differences become minimal.
Lynndeloo, say you'll need a 1500mg daily dose of Metformin. With bog standard generic tabs the NHS would pay £1.98 per month. Generic SR tabs would cost £4.50.
There is the additional benefit that the SR version can be taken in a single daily dose, aiding compliance.