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Metformin SR

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Mark T

Mark T

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I've been shoved onto a 1g dose of Metformin SR to see if it will get my numbers down (I'm a bit sceptical personally).

However, the pills are huge and not coated to go down easily.

I'm planning to chop them in half, but the person at the pharmacy (not the pharmacist, she was busy at the time) wasn't so sure.

I seem to recall that someone else on the forum did the same. Was there any issues?
 
Mark T said:
I've been shoved onto a 1g dose of Metformin SR to see if it will get my numbers down (I'm a bit sceptical personally).

However, the pills are huge and not coated to go down easily.

I'm planning to chop them in half, but the person at the pharmacy (not the pharmacist, she was busy at the time) wasn't so sure.

I seem to recall that someone else on the forum did the same. Was there any issues?
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I know what you mean as I myself is on Metformin SR 500mg. Which brand name did they give you? Last time i got Bolamyn and they were huge and was hard to swallow. This time luckily i got Glucophase SR which is much better in size. I have not tried chopping it down with Bolamyn but used to gulp it with lots of water. Which brand name did they give you? I am sure it will help in reducing your levels provided you do good daily physical activity and reduce carb intake. I am yet to check my HbA1c after having Metformin SR uk version as until October I was using what I got from India and it used to work very well for me in terms of reducing BG as well as weight management. Fingers crossed this should work too.
 
I've been given Sukkarto.

I'm skeptical mostly because I've not historically been hugely insulin resistant and my numbers are going up despite loosing weight (not that I'm overweight anyway).

However, I believe I'm expected to try this for a month before I can move onto something different.
 
Mark T said:
I've been given Sukkarto.

I'm skeptical mostly because I've not historically been hugely insulin resistant and my numbers are going up despite loosing weight (not that I'm overweight anyway).

However, I believe I'm expected to try this for a month before I can move onto something different.
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I have never tried Sukkarto but Boots chemist said generally people are given Glucophage SR and when it is out of stock they give other brands. Please let us know how you get on to this new one and good luck.
 
Mark T said:
I've been given Sukkarto.

I'm skeptical mostly because I've not historically been hugely insulin resistant and my numbers are going up despite loosing weight (not that I'm overweight anyway).

However, I believe I'm expected to try this for a month before I can move onto something different.
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They are smaller of the various brands, that are about. I believe you are in the same CCG as me. I have recently had my prescription changed to this brand so it is most probably be CCG lead thing.
 
Smitha said:
I have never tried Sukkarto but Boots chemist said generally people are given Glucophage SR and when it is out of stock they give other brands. Please let us know how you get on to this new one and good luck.[/QUOTE

For the last 3-4 years I been prescribed a set generic brand of Metformin which has recently been change.
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Well, my GP gave me a call back and told me that it was Ok if I cut it in half to take it. Just that I should not chew it.

And yes, I do recall that I am in the same CCG as you grovesy.
 
Usually the leaflet in the package tells you not to cut or break the pills if there is a problem ,most SR metformin I have had says not to cut
CAROL
 
My understanding is that with slow realease medication we should not cut or crush them as this causes the medication to 3nter our system all at once, instead of over a period of time. TBH it’s best to check with a pharmacist as they are the experts in medicines.
They should also be able to help with a brand that has smaller pills.
 
Second thing listed on the info sheet on how to take them. Do not chew, break or crush.

Does that answer the question? Surprisingly informative those bits of paper in the tablet box. Worth reading, for sure.

So much for doctors and pharmacists.
 
Well, I'm going with my GP's suggestion 😛

Usually you are put on SR when you can't tolerate Metformin - but I can. So, I suspect there would not really be that much of an issue of me going to 2g/day on the normal version (yes, it might hurt my tummy for a short while).

I can't take tablets that big, my gag reflex is much to strong. So if it's either don't take them or chop them - I chop them.

I'll badger my GP to prescribe something a bit more sensible sized later. Personally I think I actually need a sulph not Metformin SR.
 
Mark T said:
Well, I'm going with my GP's suggestion 😛

Usually you are put on SR when you can't tolerate Metformin - but I can. So, I suspect there would not really be that much of an issue of me going to 2g/day on the normal version (yes, it might hurt my tummy for a short while).

I can't take tablets that big, my gag reflex is much to strong. So if it's either don't take them or chop them - I chop them.

I'll badger my GP to prescribe something a bit more sensible sized later. Personally I think I actually need a sulph not Metformin SR.
Click to expand...

Is it not possible for your chemist to give you Metformin SR brands which are smaller in size like Glucophage SR? Worth checking as it gives the same result and easier to have.
 
Smitha said:
Is it not possible for your chemist to give you Metformin SR brands which are smaller in size like Glucophage SR? Worth checking as it gives the same result and easier to have.
Click to expand...
Nope - they only have the one type and they wouldn't order in a different version.

They also not allowed to substitute for a small type - for instance Met SR comes in 500mg 750mg and 1g sizes.
 
Mark T said:
Nope - they only have the one type and they wouldn't order in a different version.

They also not allowed to substitute for a small type - for instance Met SR comes in 500mg 750mg and 1g sizes.
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So it looks like making your GP prescribe a better one is the only chance.
 
I suspect our CCG are pushing for the specific brand to be prescribed and has done for a number of years, as proir to that my prescription was just for slow release Metformin, then it changed to the Brand Metabet then more recently Sukkarto.
They are also stopping prescriptions for stuff that can be purchased over the counter.
 
Are all the tabs the same size regardless of how many mgs there are in them ? My 750 mgs are smaller than the 1000 mgs I had before but they are a different brand
CAROL
 
I have found that differnt brands are different sizes, have been on same dose for years.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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