Metformin side effects

[Carol 239]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes last Friday (Feb 7th), I have been taking one 500mg tablet each morning since then. The GP made no mention of the side effects of this medication, although the pharmacist did warn me that it could be a day or two before my body got accustomed to the tablets. I am finding that the side effects are increasing each day, and as I am due to increase the dose to twice daily today, i just wondered if other members could give me an idea of how long these initial effects will last - light-headedness, nausea, stomach cramps & abdominal pain, and tiredness etc etc

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi Carol, I took Metformin for a while and mine lasted for some weeks! Nobody told me about the side effects either...

Many people here advise asking the GP about having the slow release version, which apparently helps a lot. As I managed to stop taking it I have no other advice, I'm afraid - except much sympathy

 

[grovesy]

Medication should come with a patient information leaflet, it is advisable to read through it. I would speak to your Doctor , as that is quite a list if affects.

 

[Carol 239]

Hi Carol, I took Metformin for a while and mine lasted for some weeks! Nobody told me about the side effects either...

Many people here advise asking the GP about having the slow release version, which apparently helps a lot. As I managed to stop taking it I have no other advice, I'm afraid - except much sympathy

Thanks for that information - relief to know that someone else has experienced problems when they first started this medication.

 

[Carol 239]

Medication should come with a patient information leaflet, it is advisable to read through it. I would speak to your Doctor , as that is quite a list if affects.

Thank you for your response, the leaflet lists all the above but doesnt give any suggestion as to how long the effects can last or how severe is acceptable.

 

[grovesy]

Thank you for your response, the leaflet lists all the above but doesnt give any suggestion as to how long the effects can last or how severe is acceptable.

I would say different people have different tolerances, and if they are not acceptable to you then speak to your Doctor.

 

[Tee G]

Hi @Carol 239. I dont take medication but I have seen others on here who do suggest taking tablets in the 'middle 'of the meal, so something is in the stomach. You will have to check on that and see if its suitable to do. My mother used to do that as she experienced a few unpleasant symptoms initially and she said it helped. Defo read the patient information leaflet - If you dont want to bother the Dr in person, maybe your surgery has a 'call-back' system (this can be useful for a quick question for the DR) Failing that you could try the Pharmacist - they are a wealth of knowledge. Good luck and I hope things settle down for you.

 

[Carol 239]

Hi @Carol 239. I dont take medication but I have seen others on here who do suggest taking tablets in the 'middle 'of the meal, so something is in the stomach. You will have to check on that and see if its suitable to do. My mother used to do that as she experienced a few unpleasant symptoms initially and she said it helped. Defo read the patient information leaflet - If you dont want to bother the Dr in person, maybe your surgery has a 'call-back' system (this can be useful for a quick question for the DR) Failing that you could try the Pharmacist - they are a wealth of knowledge. Good luck and I hope things settle down for you.

Thank you for the advice - I did read somewhere on this site that it was best to take the tablets mid-meal and i have been doing that.

 

[chaoticcar]

The slow release version cured my incontinence !!
Carol

 

[DaveB]

Hi. If the problem lasts more than 2-3 weeks insist on having the Slow Release (SR) version. GPs know full well that the vanilla version often causes problems but it's a bit cheaper and NICE says to prescribe the vanilla version.

 

[Drummer]

I was prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin from day one - I reacted very badly to both and after just over a month I threw them away.
I think I managed two tablets of Metformin on two days, not consecutive ones.
It was just before Christmas 2016 - by the time I thought about telling anyone I'd had a second Hba1c test and I was no longer diabetic, so I never really needed the tablets in the first place.

 

[Carol 239]

I was also put on one 500mg Metformin, with breakfast, but after six weeks the stomach cramps were so bad I went back to my DN. I had my BG diary with me and when she saw my fasting and post-prandial readings decided they were good enough for me to stop taking it.

What was your Hba1c? Mine was high so I can understand why I was put on medication.

Martin

Thank you for your response. My HbA1c was 87 during a routine health check. I had no symptoms, and no hint that i might have an issue.

 

[Carol 239]

Hi. If the problem lasts more than 2-3 weeks insist on having the Slow Release (SR) version. GPs know full well that the vanilla version often causes problems but it's a bit cheaper and NICE says to prescribe the vanilla version.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Carol 239]

I was prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin from day one - I reacted very badly to both and after just over a month I threw them away.
I think I managed two tablets of Metformin on two days, not consecutive ones.
It was just before Christmas 2016 - by the time I thought about telling anyone I'd had a second Hba1c test and I was no longer diabetic, so I never really needed the tablets in the first place.

Thank you for your comments. I will stick with them a bit longer, at least until I get a follow up blood test.

 

[Nick Cliff]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes last Friday (Feb 7th), I have been taking one 500mg tablet each morning since then. The GP made no mention of the side effects of this medication, although the pharmacist did warn me that it could be a day or two before my body got accustomed to the tablets. I am finding that the side effects are increasing each day, and as I am due to increase the dose to twice daily today, i just wondered if other members could give me an idea of how long these initial effects will last - light-headedness, nausea, stomach cramps & abdominal pain, and tiredness etc etc

Bad luck @Carol 239. Pity that your doctor didn't warn you like mine did. She also said to battle through the initial symptoms. Mine were not as severe as yours to begin with. I had a slight drop in appetite and aversion to alcohol. Progressively though I started to get some acid reflux, gut cramps trapped wind and constipation. 6 weeks in my guts had basically gone on strike. The GP suggested I stopped Metformin for a couple of weeks before restarting on the slow release type. I was on 500mg per day. Others seem to have found the slow release one better so maybe it's an option for you.
I am yet to start on them myself. My guts have stabilised but so has my blood sugar at good levels so having only just crossed the medication borderline recently I may wait for another HbA1c before doing so, subject to my GP's agreement. Hope you find the solution which works for you. Nick

 

[SueEK]

Hi Carol, I would suggest preserving for a while if you can. Mine also passed after a few weeks but I did change to having my tablets at lunch time as I don’t eat a lot of breakfast. You really do need to take it after your largest meal so there is plenty in your tummy. Good luck and if it doesn’t work return to the GP for the slow release version.

 

[DaveB]

Probably worth saying that any Metformin can cause taste distortion e.g. a metallic taste. Mine lasted for about 6 months but cleared completely.

 

[Neens]

I was also put on one 500mg Metformin, with breakfast, but after six weeks the stomach cramps were so bad I went back to my DN. I had my BG diary with me and when she saw my fasting and post-prandial readings decided they were good enough for me to stop taking it.

What was your Hba1c? Mine was high so I can understand why I was put on medication.

Martin

May I ask what the BG readings were like?
I ask because mine HbA1c was high and I was put straight on metaformin and have been on max. dose and suffering a bit but my BG levels are all in range 4.7-6.9 - of course this could be down to the meds rather than the LC eating... but wondering whether max dosage is now necessary.

 

[Neens]

@Carol 239 sorry to hear you are struggling and that your GP didn't warn you/talk to you about possible side effects - especially as many people suffer some of them.

Side effects are normal - I think most people get some. I was okay initially apart from constipation. When I discussed this with DN she was a little dismissive saying the opposite is usually the problem. The strange bit for me was my main side effects happened after being on max dose for about 5 weeks. I then had the most excruciating stomach cramps, a rash and still struggled with constipation.
My meds were changed in Jan to slow release but only because I complained to the GP about being on over 49 tablets a week and having to only take 2 instead of 4 reduces my intake and also means I am less likely to skip/miss any.
I have kept a note of what is happening and when so at my next review/clinic apt (in 3 weeks) I can question it and see if like others my dosage may be reduced now BG is more under control.

The best advice has been given already, but just make some notes and take your questions. I nearly made an appointment after the stomach cramps (which lasted for days) but then they settled down.
The slow release leaflet advises side effects may last for up to 2 weeks, I have recycled the other info from previous metaformin - but as you stated... I don't think it said.

Also some of how you feel may be to do with reducing your BG levels, sometimes this makes us feel a bit ill as your body is craving the higher carb intake/ believing you to be in need of food sends those signals out.
Worth a mention not to take Ibuprofen as it interferes/reacts with metaformin - paracetamol should be okay - I had to take some pain relief for the stomach - it was that bad.

Good luck.

 

[Carol 239]

Hi Carol, I would suggest preserving for a while if you can. Mine also passed after a few weeks but I did change to having my tablets at lunch time as I don’t eat a lot of breakfast. You really do need to take it after your largest meal so there is plenty in your tummy. Good luck and if it doesn’t work return to the GP for the slow release version.

Thank you for that SueEK, it is interesting that you take yours at lunch - I have never been a breakfast person, and am struggling to eat food in order to take the tablets first thing in the morning.