Metformin

[Tina63]

I have a friend who has a close friend with Type 2. He is apparently on Metformin, but having dreadful tummy troubles on it. It is affecting his ability to do his job, especially early in the morning.

I told her I am sure I have read on here about a slow release version of Metformin?
I said I would come on here and ask, then she could tell him the name of the thing some of you have recommended to try and alleviate this problem. I'm sure I'm not imagining this?

Thanks.
Tina

 

[Northerner]

I believe it is called Glucophage SR 🙂

 

[gail2]

I believe it is called Glucophage SR 🙂

it is and it stops the tummy issues

 

[Tina63]

Thank you Northerner and Gail. Am I right thinking it is slow release Metformin?

I am texting my friend right now! Not that her friend can do anything about it on a Friday night, but I will encourage him to make an appointment with his GP as soon as possible and go with this name written on a piece of paper.

Thanks.
Tina

 

[Northerner]

Thank you Northerner and Gail. Am I right thinking it is slow release Metformin?...Thanks.
Tina

Yes, that's correct 🙂

http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/20952/SPC#PRODUCTINFO

 

[Tina63]

Yes, that's correct 🙂

http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/20952/SPC#PRODUCTINFO

Thank you!

 

[macabee]

I'm on the slow release Metformin which is Glucophage SR. I do however still have wind in my sails, but that could be my age, or my healthy diet

 

[trophywench]

Is it worth mentioning Tina that Metformin interferes somehow with the absorption of carbs in the gut? hence if it can't cope with them, the body just evacuates them! So if the person does happen to be eating shedloads of carbs it may help on several fronts to cut em down a bit.

Friend of mine cut em down by 10% a week until she was really low-carbing. Once her BG had been stable for a bit she experimented with adding a few back in because she was only on about 30g a day which might be OK for some - but she found it a tad restrictive, esp attending things like working lunches and evening meetings with buffets etc. Now she just discards the top piece of bread on sandwiches etc on such occasions, folds em in half and has mega fat 'cocktail' snacks! and she can manage.

 

[Tina63]

Thank you for all that info everyone. I have passed it all on to my friend, so hopefully she can advise her friend and try and sort out these problems, or at least improve them. He works early shifts so it has started to prove a real problem for him, especially as quite a bit of driving is involved early in the day.

I knew you lot would have the answers! Thank you.

Tina

 

[will2016]

I was on Metformin and had the same problem, so was taken off and put on Glicklazide and later put on the slow release version of metformin which is called Bolamyn SR which is a different brand name, apart from 3 days of tummy troubles I am fine now, hope your friends ok 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Ah now! - Bolamyn SR is supposed to be the same as Glucophage SR - but it isn't. Some people find it has exactly the same effects as the normal Metformin had on them. Reason why you might get it? - it's cheaper than Glucophage SR !!!

This has typically been reported by people who have been established on G SR previously though, so if you change straight to it, perhaps it doesn't have that effect? Dunno.

 

[Caroline]

How long has the friend been on metformin? The symptoms do settle after a while.

For myself I have found I can't have breakfast before I leave home because my tummy is out within 2 hours of eating and if I get held up and have an accident I have to come home. Having said that it now doesn't happen every day, but I still wait till I get to work before having breakfast. I also find if I have too much carb or anything with too much sugar it puts my tummy out.