Metformin side effects, but why on a night?

[zoombapup]

Hey all,

Something I'm noticing and wondered if anyone else has had this.

I'm on 500mg of metformin twice daily. I take one in the morning before work and then one in the evening with my other meds.

The funny thing is, the one in the morning seems fine, no side effects I can think of. But the one on the night has some rather fruity effects on my digestive system.

Just wondering why that might be? I guess it could be that I've got some food in there too, but if I take it before eating I still have a bit of a jitter-bug going on.

Its not that big of a deal, I was just curious if anyone else had a similar issue and what might be the cause?

Ta.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hey all,

Something I'm noticing and wondered if anyone else has had this.

I'm on 500mg of metformin twice daily. I take one in the morning before work and then one in the evening with my other meds.

The funny thing is, the one in the morning seems fine, no side effects I can think of. But the one on the night has some rather fruity effects on my digestive system.

Just wondering why that might be? I guess it could be that I've got some food in there too, but if I take it before eating I still have a bit of a jitter-bug going on.

Its not that big of a deal, I was just curious if anyone else had a similar issue and what might be the cause?

Ta.

Hello there Zoombpup - Some people find Metformin reacts differently when they eat more or less carbs. In the most part, that I have read (never taken Metformin myself), some people find if they eat a carb-heavy meal their tummy can be upset.

What sort of evening meals do you have when your tummy gets upset?

Do you take your Metformin with food, or away from mealtimes? Some also find they need to take their Metformin when they're eating.

 

[Drummer]

I used to have the worst effects of Metformin at night, and slept wrapped in a couple of towels.

 

[zoombapup]

What sort of evening meals do you have when your tummy gets upset?
Do you take your Metformin with food, or away from mealtimes? Some also find they need to take their Metformin when they're eating.

Hmm, I usually have my meds after eating, so probably 45 mins after having some food. I guess I'll try to take them straight after food and then 3 hours after and see what difference that makes. Nothing carb heavy passes my lips these days, so I can't think its that.

 

[lizk]

Hmm, I usually have my meds after eating, so probably 45 mins after having some food. I guess I'll try to take them straight after food and then 3 hours after and see what difference that makes. Nothing carb heavy passes my lips these days, so I can't think its that.

I’m the opposite @zoombapup issues in the day and fine at night. Good luck with it. x

 

[Drummer]

The instructions are to take Metformin with food - which I did and still suffered, but you should follow the instructions...

 

[lizk]

The instructions are to take Metformin with food - which I did and still suffered, but you should follow the instructions...

I always take it with food.

 

[zoombapup]

I’m the opposite @zoombapup issues in the day and fine at night. Good luck with it. x

Ouch Liz! that can't be convenient. I don't mind being a bit iffy at home, but would hate to have that at work. Hope your situation improves! I'm going to try the "with food" and "without food" and see if there's a difference. Of course it could be a reaction to other meds at the same time too.

 

[Jodee]

Ouch Liz! that can't be convenient. I don't mind being a bit iffy at home, but would hate to have that at work. Hope your situation improves! I'm going to try the "with food" and "without food" and see if there's a difference. Of course it could be a reaction to other meds at the same time too.

I think if you take with food you are less likely to have problems and to take on an empty stomach you are likely to have an increased risk of having problems.

 

[zoombapup]

Well first experiment started, the "with food" condition first. Had some great non-shepherds pie (no mash). Took all my meds at once aside from the insulin dose. Will see if I get any rumbles 😉

 

[lizk]

I take two with my evening meal and am fine. Sticking to two metformin until my first hba1c since diagnosis. Will move up to three then if necessary. Fingers crossed for everyone else.

 

[zoombapup]

So, with food I don't seem to have any issues, at least not with something with very few carbs. So I'll have to test a few hours after some food and see if that situation changes.