• 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

Metformin change to prolonged release

J

johnd1981

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Pronouns
He/Him
Hello,
I've been on standard metformin since I was diagnosed with type 2.
My doctor has just prescribed Meijumet prolonged release metformin in the same dose instead.
I was just wondering if anyone else here has been moved from one to the other. What's the difference?
Thanks
 
johnd1981 said:
Hello,
I've been on standard metformin since I was diagnosed with type 2.
My doctor has just prescribed Meijumet prolonged release metformin in the same dose instead.
I was just wondering if anyone else here has been moved from one to the other. What's the difference?
Thanks
Click to expand...
The main difference is it less likely to cause stomach issues as some people suffer diarrhoea, bloating, nausea. But also the whole dose can be taken with just meal rather than twice a day. Otherwise there should be no difference in how it works.
 
Leadinglights said:
The main difference is it less likely to cause stomach issues as some people suffer diarrhoea, bloating, nausea. But also the whole dose can be taken with just meal rather than twice a day. Otherwise there should be no difference in how it works.
Click to expand...
I take my whole dose in the evening with my other tablets , about an hour before bed

My doctor said its normally taken twice a day or with meals but she's happy that it's being taken
 
Leadinglights said:
The main difference is it less likely to cause stomach issues as some people suffer diarrhoea, bloating, nausea. But also the whole dose can be taken with just meal rather than twice a day. Otherwise there should be no difference in how it works.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
That makes sense. So it's just the exact same thing, so I should be pretty unlikely to get any side effects I didn't get with the standard release metformin?
 
johnd1981 said:
Thank you.
That makes sense. So it's just the exact same thing, so I should be pretty unlikely to get any side effects I didn't get with the standard release metformin?
Click to expand...

Yes , just goes through your system slowly so the side effects from the ordinary metformin ....in my case wind , loose bowels , stomach cramps are likely to be gentler

I have found they were still there, less intensely .....for a week ......and now my body is fine with it
 
Taffyboyslim said:
Yes , just goes through your system slowly so the side effects from the ordinary metformin ....in my case wind , loose bowels , stomach cramps are likely to be gentler

I have found they were still there, less intensely .....for a week ......and now my body is fine with it
Click to expand...
Excellent thank you.
Did you just switch straight over as well? No need to miss any doses?
 
Hope the switchover goes well @johnd1981

You may find the Patient Information Leaflet in the box helpful for any precautions / notes.

The dosing instructions should also be written on the pharmacy labels as a reminder?
 
I'm on a different brand but started metformin last year. Reached 4 tablets next week changed to 2 plus dapaglifozin. Started bunged up when got to 3 became looser. From what I've learned slow release (which i have) is kinder to thestomach. I understand it is more expensive than the non slow release so I count myself lucky I do t know how it may have affected me. I'm now on one a day.
 
Occasionally my pharmacy gives me slow release instead of normal. I suspect it's just what they have in. Anyway, I've not noticed any difference between the two.
 
The modified release tablets are slightly more expensive than the ordinary variety - but we are only talking a couple of quid here, not, like, hundreds of £££.
 
I had been on metformin 850 mg x3 for the last 15 to 20 years then 2 daily. I started experiencing very bad (liquid) stools. Saw a gastrointestinal consultant about 3 months ago and he said was caused by metformin. He took me off it and after a couple of weeks it became normal and has been since. My surgery has put me on wagovy 1.7 mg to offset loss of metformin and now back to normal. If you are getting bad stomachs etc then see your doctor ask for gastrointestinal check up. It may be the cause of stomach/ bowel problems. Hope this may help.
 
casey jones said:
I had been on metformin 850 mg x3 for the last 15 to 20 years then 2 daily. I started experiencing very bad (liquid) stools. Saw a gastrointestinal consultant about 3 months ago and he said was caused by metformin. He took me off it and after a couple of weeks it became normal and has been since. My surgery has put me on wagovy 1.7 mg to offset loss of metformin and now back to normal. If you are getting bad stomachs etc then see your doctor ask for gastrointestinal check up. It may be the cause of stomach/ bowel problems. Hope this may help.
Click to expand...
It is a well know side effect of metformin which often happens when people first start to take it but the effects will sometimes settle after a few weeks but can rear its head again if the dose is increased or a change of brand can upset people as the coating or fillers can vary.
That could have been the trigger for starting the bad effect.
Slow release version can suit some people better.
I'm surprised your surgery didn't put two and two together given the known effects.0
 
As I said been on metformin for 15/20 years but reduced to 2 a day about 2 years ago and was also put on 1mg ozempic. Problem with my surgery is you very rarely see the same doctor twice even though my notes are updated. I am hoping the new practice nurse can give me better advice as she specialises in diabetes and she does not clockwatch during the appointment.
 
casey jones said:
As I said been on metformin for 15/20 years but reduced to 2 a day about 2 years ago and was also put on 1mg ozempic. Problem with my surgery is you very rarely see the same doctor twice even though my notes are updated. I am hoping the new practice nurse can give me better advice as she specialises in diabetes and she does not clockwatch during the appointment.
Click to expand...
Hopefully your new practice nurse will be more up to date in recognising how powerful diet can be and give you some good advise but if not then you may find the information in this link helpful, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
I gather you have a home testing monitor so you should be able to identify foods and meals which raise your blood glucose more than is desirable. No more than 2-3mmol/l from before eating to 2 hours after is the rule of thumb that people aim for or no more than 8-8.5 after 2 hours once levels have started to come down.
 
casey jones said:
Never really checked that but will start to check and see how I am doing. Thanks for info
Click to expand...
That is one way that many people adopt to take control over their condition and means they can often manage by diet alone without medication by cutting out those foods which push their blood glucose beyond those parameters but also identify foods they may otherwise have rejected. However some will none the less still need medication.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top