• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Difficulty swallowing Metformin tablets.

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

Paul Taylor

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,

Newbie to the forum, and looking for some help.
I was recently diagnosed with Type2 3 months ago, and have high blood sugar levels even after fasting. I am not particularly over weight, 89kg, and 6ft tall.
My diet is generally healthy. I dont have sugar in my drinks, and do not snack on junk or sweets etc.

I was immediately put on Metformin, 2x 500mg twice a day. After 2 months i was still running to the toilet most of the day with bad runs..
So the doc put me on Metformin SR, same dosage.

Problem is, i have always had problems swallowing larger tablets. Little tablets are no issues. But typically anything which is 500mg i have problems swallowing. My gag reflex is really bad.
I have only ever been able to take tablets with the aid of a fizzy drink, as this seems to help somewhat in my case. Normally diet pepsi, etc.
The metformin tablets seem to cause me a real issue. They seem quite heavy in your mouth and just to not float. Instead they just sit on your tongue, and when i go to swallow i just gag all the time or end up spitting it out.
Mentioned this to my doctor but hes just said i need to get on with it !!.

Does anyone know if there is another form i can take, like a liquid ?. Or another type of tablet which is physically smaller ?

Many thanks in advance.
Paul.
 
Hi Paul.
This can be very frustrating I know.
Do you take them seperately or with food?
I have always found it easier to take larger tablets while I am eating a meal.
I tend not to notice the tablets at all
Just a thought.
 
Hi Vince,
I have been taking them after a meal. Had not thought about swallowing them with food. I will give that a shot tomorrow.
 
Paul Taylor said:
Hi Vince,
I have been taking them after a meal. Had not thought about swallowing them with food. I will give that a shot tomorrow.
Click to expand...
I always pop one in my mouth while eating and they go down with the food I swallow and hardly notice them.. Good luck it should work for you I hope.
 
There are different brands of Metformin SR and some are considerable smaller. Why not have a chat with your Pharmacist.
 
Thank you Grovesy.
I will pop into the chemist this week and see what they can offer. So far my Dr has been useless.
 
Paul Taylor said:
Thank you Grovesy.
I will pop into the chemist this week and see what they can offer. So far my Dr has been useless.
Click to expand...
I think over the years I have been on Metformin SR I must have had at least 5 different brands, some are huge and others are more normal in size. I have not had much change in the last few years as my prescription was for a specific brand, I suspect my CCG did deal with the manufacturer over price.
 
At the moment i have >
Glucophage SR 500mg. Made by "Merck Serono".

They are not overly large, but just seem so heavy. Which is making it very hard for me to swallow them.
 
Paul Taylor said:
At the moment i have >
Glucophage SR 500mg. Made by "Merck Serono".

They are not overly large, but just seem so heavy. Which is making it very hard for me to swallow them.
Click to expand...
That is not a brand I have had.
 
The Metformin SR I've just picked up are huge! I haven't tried them yet but I think they might be a struggle. Hope food works for you Paul.
 
I thought I was the only one with this problem! I too find it easier to take tablets with a fizzy drink and so far I have been managing the metformin tablets though sometimes with much gagging and bringing it back up, not sure I could take with food though I think its a psychological thing I would know its there so I would have problems, but I hope it works for you or that you can get a smaller tablet from the chemist
 
The trouble with the SR formulation is that you can’t split them. There is a liquid formulation, but that carries the same side effects as the ordinary tablets, and with liquids there’s always a possibility of slight dose inaccuracy.

The best bet is to find the smallest SR tablet and take it with food, a trick that dog and cat owners know well.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top