What problems does metformin cause?

Side effects of metformin
  • Feeling sick (nausea) Take metformin with food to reduce the chances of feeling sick. ...
  • Being sick (vomiting) Take small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration. ...
  • Diarrhoea. ...
  • Stomach ache. ...
  • Loss of appetite. ...
  • A metallic taste in the mouth.


What is the most serious side effect of metformin?

Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.

What metformin does to your body?

Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels by improving the way your body handles insulin. It's usually prescribed for diabetes when diet and exercise alone have not been enough to control your blood sugar levels.


Why should you avoid taking metformin?

The current drug labeling strongly recommends against metformin use in some patients whose kidneys do not work normally because use of metformin in these patients can increase the risk of developing a serious and potentially deadly condition called lactic acidosis, in which too much lactic acid builds up in the blood.

What are the disadvantages of metformin?

Side effects

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. Metformin usually does not cause hypoglycemia; however, low blood sugar may occur if this drug is used with other anti-diabetic drugs.


Metformin Side Effects (& Consequences)



What medication can you take instead of metformin?

Other alternatives to metformin
  • Avandia (rosiglitazone)
  • Nesina (alogliptin)
  • Tanzeum (albiglutide)
  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
  • Invokana (canagliflozin)
  • Farxiga (dapagliflozin)


Is metformin hard on your body?

Metformin does cause side effects in some people, but many of these are mild, and are associated with taking the medicine for the first time. Nausea and gastric distress such as stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea are somewhat common among people starting up on metformin.

What foods to avoid when taking metformin?

As much as possible, avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, desserts, and snacks like chips or crackers. Eating foods that can spike your blood sugar will not necessarily make the metformin not work, however, it will increase the burden it has to work against.


What should I watch out when taking metformin?

Metformin side effects can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and gas. Taking metformin on a schedule can help reduce side effects. Most metformin side effects are short-term, which is 2 weeks or less. See a healthcare provider if you're experiencing long-term metformin side effects.

What is the black box warning for metformin?

Metformin has a black box warning for lactic acidosis — a condition where too much lactic acid builds up in the blood. It's a serious problem and can lead to death. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

Is it worth it to take metformin?

Metformin's benefits may extend far beyond diabetes

For decades we've known that metformin does more than just help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It also offers them cardiovascular benefits, including lower rates of death due to cardiovascular disease.


Does metformin help with aging?

In addition to lowering blood glucose levels, metformin may slow down aging in the body. Metformin does this by lowering the risk of some diseases and bodily processes that speed up aging and damage the body. However, metformin is only approved for T2D. Studies on its other potential benefits are ongoing.

Is metformin hard on your heart?

Many antihyperglycemic drugs can increase the risk of heart failure. However, it is commonly believed that metformin - the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes - reduces the risk of and improves the clinical course of heart failure. It is estimated that 20-25% of patients taking metformin have heart failure.

Who should avoid taking metformin?

This medicine is not recommended in patients 80 years of age and older who have kidney problems.


What is the best time of day to take metformin?

It's best to take metformin tablets with, or just after, your evening meal to reduce the chance of getting side effects. Swallow your metformin tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew them.

What is the best way to take metformin to avoid side effects?

Managing Metformin Side Effects
  1. Ask to start at a low dose. This makes it easier for your body to adjust to the medicine.
  2. Take metformin with food. It's OK to take the medicine on an empty stomach, but having it with a meal makes it easier to handle.
  3. Ask about the extended-release form of metformin.


How do you know if metformin is working?

A medical provider can run a few tests to see how metformin is affecting your health: Blood work can check if your glucose, insulin, and HbA1C levels are in range. If they are, the medication is working.


What 10 foods should diabetics avoid?

10 foods to avoid if you have diabetes
  • Processed meats. ...
  • Full-fat dairy products. ...
  • Packaged snacks and processed baked goods. ...
  • White carbohydrates. ...
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  • Dried fruits. ...
  • French fries. ...
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat.


Which fruit is not good for diabetes?

Diabetics should avoid fruits with a high GI or eat them in moderation so that their blood sugar levels do not spike abruptly. Pineapple, watermelon, mango, lychee, and banana have a high GI, so these are the worst fruits if you are diabetic.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best.


Does metformin cause joint and muscle pain?

Conclusions: People with diabetes taking metformin were less likely to report back, knee, neck/shoulder and multisite musculoskeletal pain than those not taking metformin. Therefore, when treating these patients, clinicians should be aware that metformin may contribute to fewer reports of musculoskeletal pain.

What is a natural form of metformin?

Metformin is a synthetic derivative of galegine and/or guanidine, natural products found in the herbal medicine Galega officinalis that was used in medieval Europe.

How can I control my diabetes without metformin?

Manage Diabetes without Medication
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Choose to eat more whole fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and lean proteins. ...
  2. Lose weight. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Make a commitment to exercising regularly by finding a partner. ...
  5. Test your blood sugar. ...
  6. Get enough quality sleep. ...
  7. Getting regular checkups.


What is the safest diabetes medication?

Official answer. Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).