metformin er

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bobbinbrown

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Good morning I have been on metformin500 for about eight months with no real problems on just the one tablet.My nurse suggested I go onto metformin er as it might be better for me if I ever need to increase the dose.After tablets taken in the previous two evenings I woke with stomach pains.But last night after the third tablet the pains started about 4 hours later and persisted all night and I now have diarreah. I expected to have less side effects not more.Is this normal and should I consult my nurse.I am now very reluctant to take another tablet.
 
bobbinbrown said:
Good morning I have been on metformin500 for about eight months with no real problems on just the one tablet.My nurse suggested I go onto metformin er as it might be better for me if I ever need to increase the dose.After tablets taken in the previous two evenings I woke with stomach pains.But last night after the third tablet the pains started about 4 hours later and persisted all night and I now have diarreah. I expected to have less side effects not more.Is this normal and should I consult my nurse.I am now very reluctant to take another tablet.
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It can be the composition of the fillers or coating on different tablets that causes a problem. If you still have your other ones then you could go back to those and speak to your nurse about not resuming until your stomach settles.
But as you say they are supposed to cause less problems.
As you are on a low dose then diet is going to be just as important if not more so.
 
Sorry to hear that @bobbinbrown

Most people seem to find the ‘slow release’ ones gentler on the tum, but it does sound as if you’d be better sticking to the standard version if they didn’t cause you any stomach issues?
 
Good morning. Is er the standard one? I started metformin om 16 th August this year and last Thursday reached 4 x 500. I've had a mixed journey. After a week I was bunged up then fine but since last Thursday some problems. I saw HCP on Tuesday for blood test result and he said some people cannot tolerate at all and some can only manage a low dose. He put me on SGLT2 one tablet and said reduce metformin to two tablets as some of the benefits overlap. That evening I had a horrible stomach ache which was OK next day. Took 3 of 4 tablets intending to take one in evening but had the runs. Yesterday I skipped breakfast and ate carefully taking full dose and I was fine. So far taken 2. I say fine but haven't poohed since the runs.
Have you been swapped from bog standard one to slow release? I'm on slow release which most find kinder but my HCP says many cannot tolerate. Mine is sukkarto SR.
I don't know if it was what I ate or type of food i did have pasta Sunday as a cheat on basis I had just had blood test. My sister and I ate together lunch Wednesday and she was fine.
I'd go back to your old medication and check with nurse. I didn't have trouble until I was on 4 a day. If you are just swapping same amount there must be a reaction to the brand or something you've eaten. Even if it's same brand as me we are all different. If you cannot get a nurse speak to a pharmacist. Maybe have a break today but hopefully you still have some old pills. Medication will be wasted if your digestive system is creating havoc.

Good luck.
 
Thanks Saffron for your lengthy reply.I was on the standard metformin just one tablet a day taken in the morning.I'd tried taking two but they didn't agree with me.So when I saw the nurse she suggested the slow release one to be taken in the evening.Unfortunately I have my main meal at lunch time as this suits me better as I have Crohns, so only eat something quite small at tea time.I did wonder if this could be the problem.But I think you are right and I should return to the standard tablet.
 
I wonder if the nurse suggested taking it in the evening because most people have their largest meal then. It really doesn't make any difference when you take Metformin as I believe it has a long half life, so if you eat your main meal at lunchtime, perhaps try it then and see if that works better. I imagine you will be very wary of having a flare up of your Crohn's Disease and understandably so.
 
bobbinbrown said:
Thanks Saffron for your lengthy reply.I was on the standard metformin just one tablet a day taken in the morning.I'd tried taking two but they didn't agree with me.So when I saw the nurse she suggested the slow release one to be taken in the evening.Unfortunately I have my main meal at lunch time as this suits me better as I have Crohns, so only eat something quite small at tea time.I did wonder if this could be the problem.But I think you are right and I should return to the standard tablet.
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I'm sure I remember seeing that metformin is not a good choice of medication when people have conditions like Crohn's, IBS, diverticulitis and other oral meds would be more suitable*
 
Hi. Metformin ER/SR is normally better for the bowel but I would be very wary of taking it with Crohns or Colitis etc. Metformin never has a great effect on BS so it may not be worth the risk of stirring up bowel issues.
 
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