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What are the side effects of metformin

HICHAM_T2

HICHAM_T2

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Morocco
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Diet only
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Hi and good night

What are the side effects of (metformin)
 
hichamgsm said:
Hi and good night

What are the side effects of (metformin)
Click to expand...
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-medication/metformin-side-effects.html

For me, apart from the initial "Metfartin" stage when I adjusted to it there don't seem to have been any side effects.

I know others haven't been able to adjust to the gut problems.

Some have reported muscle pain, although that isn't in the link above.

https://beta.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/ is also a good read.

I did find a US based site which talked about hypos due to Metformin, and how to treat them, but this made me doubt the accuracy of the site because AFAIK Metformin doesn't usually lower your BG very much. The main role is to reduce the amount of glucose released by the liver, and reduce insulin resistance.
 
But Does quality vary from country to country?
Because patients here complain of stomach problems
 
I don’t get any side effects now. Just had some stomach upset in the very early days.
 
hichamgsm said:
But Does quality vary from country to country?
Because patients here complain of stomach problems
Click to expand...

Quality should not vary. It is a standard product and mass produced. You do have to be sure of a reputable supplier, though, as with all prescription drugs.

One thing I did note; I think that there is sometimes more internal reaction if the diet contains significant carbohydrates, so some of the reaction may be down to a specific diet.
 
hichamgsm said:
Click to expand...

I would be wary of those numbers, because the nausea and vomiting percentage seems abnormally high.

Are you sure that these are long term side effects and not just an initial reaction until the body adjusts?

I'm pretty sure that, given that Metformin is one of the most prescribed oral drugs for diabetics, that if 26% had long term nausea and vomiting we would have read a lot more about it here.
 
LittleGreyCat said:
Quality should not vary. It is a standard product and mass produced. You do have to be sure of a reputable supplier, though, as with all prescription drugs.

One thing I did note; I think that there is sometimes more internal reaction if the diet contains significant carbohydrates, so some of the reaction may be down to a specific diet.
Click to expand...
I think the standards vary i'm sure
 
Why do you think standards may vary? If you are getting your medicines from a proper, reputable source then the standard/quality and dosage will be the same in every country.
 
hichamgsm said:
What are the side effects of (metformin)
Click to expand...
I have never had any bad side effects with either Metformin or Metformin XR.

Metformin XR was in short supply early last year, so I had to have the fast acting Metformin instead.

hichamgsm said:
But Does quality vary from country to country?
Click to expand...
I doubt it as it is a chemical formula, although quality might change in third world countries but I have no proof of that.
 
When I reported side effects with my Metformin and statin treatment no note was made by the nurse I reported it to, nor by the second nurse I told - so as far as the medical profession is concerned I am non compliant as not taking a perfectly good medication, not only just getting back to not noticing the problems I was left with.
 
Resurgam said:
When I reported side effects with my Metformin and statin treatment no note was made by the nurse I reported it to, nor by the second nurse I told
Click to expand...
How come you never told your GP that Metformin was giving you problems?
 
Decrease in Vitamin B12 levels. This is listed as a 1 in 10,000 risk but my levels plummeted rapidly from high end of normal to very low end of normal within 3 months of taking Metformin. I supplement, eat plenty of eggs etc but still have trouble maintaining anything but a low level.
 
Resurgam said:
It never occurred to me - I had a lot of problems with my thinking almost as soon as I started to take the tablets, and I could not leave the house for days at a time due to the physical effects.
Click to expand...
I hope you have told your GP now though.
 
Meformin caused me memory problems and pins and needles in my hands I stopped taking it as it only has minimal benefit for lowering blood glucose. A LCHF diet is much more effective.

Since stopping metformin my HbA1C has dropped from 99 to 41. Metformin can result in increased risk of alzheimers and should not be taken if you have problems with the liver or kidneys.
 
Art Of Flowers said:
Meformin caused me memory problems and pins and needles in my hands I stopped taking it as it only has minimal benefit for lowering blood glucose. A LCHF diet is much more effective.

Since stopping metformin my HbA1C has dropped from 99 to 41. Metformin can result in increased risk of alzheimers and should not be taken if you have problems with the liver or kidneys.
Click to expand...
Or it can protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depending which bit of research you read!:
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/metformin-and-alzheimers-a-potential-new-therapy/
 
Tipetoo said:
I have never had any bad side effects with either Metformin or Metformin XR.

Metformin XR was in short supply early last year, so I had to have the fast acting Metformin instead.


I doubt it as it is a chemical formula, although quality might change in third world countries but I have no proof of that.
Click to expand...
I often find a difference in the quality of medicines between Europe and our countries Unfortunately
 
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