TEVA brand metformin 500mg. Hi have been taking this for 15 years, no problems. But, now they cannot find any available.

[Kasbah1959]

Does anybody know of a brand of metformin which has less macrogol, which is a laxative. Most seem to have 6000 units in. TEVA brand has only 400 units which suits me. Been trying to find another brand that has less laxative in. help please.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Does anybody know of a brand of metformin which has less macrogol, which is a laxative. Most seem to have 6000 units in. TEVA brand has only 400 units which suits me. Been trying to find another brand that has less laxative in. help please.

Metformin can cause gastro-intestinal upsets... The macrogol used seems to be in the coating, not the actual tablet, so its a tiny little amount, considering you need at least spoonfulls for it to work on a constipated bowel. I'm not saying it's not possible that is the cause, who knows how sensitive you are after all -Lord knows I respond to little amounts of anything in... Anything!- but metformin itself can cause explosive bowel movements without the help of any other components as well. Do you use a slow release version? Because that might give less problems. And always, always take it on a full stomach, never an empty one.

I hope your brand comes back soon. If not, there's other ways to get blood glucose down some. (I couldn't take metformin, so I went the diet route... Kept me med-free for these past 9 years).

Good luck!
Jo

 

[Kasbah1959]

thanks for your help. trying different brands, just annoyed my usual brand not available. Will try slow release. My pharmacist has said to try liquid form, but thats not practical in a 16oz bottle. going out or holidays would be a nightmare

 

[JoKalsbeek]

thanks for your help. trying different brands, just annoyed my usual brand not available. Will try slow release. My pharmacist has said to try liquid form, but thats not practical in a 16oz bottle. going out or holidays would be a nightmare

You could pour it into smaller travel bottles (as used for shampoos, or maybe your pharmacy could re-bottle it for you with the proper labels on request). Metformin isn't a controlled substance, so if you keep it with you in smaller quantities it should be do-able, if it turns out eventually to be your only option. But I hope it won't come to that!