Sukkarto

[Spiregirl]

When I was first diagnosed I was put on metformin then changed to metformin sr and I was still getting the horrible symptoms with an upset stomach. So I was then changed to Sukkarto and that seemed to suit me ,no more upset tummy. However after being on them for 3 years the GP has suddenly changed them back to Metformin sr ( it seems that all the GPS in the area have changed peoples prescription back to Metformin).
Anyway to cut a long story short I am back to having an upset stomach and feeling rough. I know that Sukkarto is a Metformin, so why does one affect me and the other doesn’t.
Any answers gratefully received

Linda

 

[rebrascora]

Hi. Sorry to hear you are having problems.
I believe it is to do with the binding and coating agents used in the making of the tablets which upset some people rather than the Metformin itself and unfortunately different brands use different chemicals to perform these functions. You need to speak to your GP and explain the situation and ask for Sukkarto to be prescribed by name if you can't get away with the current product you are being prescribed.

 

[Leadinglights]

When I was first diagnosed I was put on metformin then changed to metformin sr and I was still getting the horrible symptoms with an upset stomach. So I was then changed to Sukkarto and that seemed to suit me ,no more upset tummy. However after being on them for 3 years the GP has suddenly changed them back to Metformin sr ( it seems that all the GPS in the area have changed peoples prescription back to Metformin).
Anyway to cut a long story short I am back to having an upset stomach and feeling rough. I know that Sukkarto is a Metformin, so why does one affect me and the other doesn’t.
Any answers gratefully received

Linda

People have found that a different manufacturer can affect how tolerant to the medication they are even though the ingredients are the same but it can be that the coatings or binding agents are different and that is causing the problem.
A few people need to get their GP to specify the particular brand which has suited them.
They should not change one which is a prolonged release (Sukkarto) for a version of Metformin that is not, but there are other brands which are also slow release which may be OK for you.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi. Sorry to hear you are having problems.
I believe it is to do with the binding and coating agents used in the making of the tablets which upset some people rather than the Metformin itself and unfortunately different brands use different chemicals to perform these functions. You need to speak to your GP and explain the situation and ask for Sukkarto to be prescribed by name if you can't get away with the current product you are being prescribed.

Two minds, you typed quicker than me.

 

[SB2015]

Sorry to hear that your Practice has switched you back to Metformin and you are suffering the consequences. It is not uncommon for changes to be made, but go back to them, and ask to be switched back. You have given it another try and the Metformin does not work for you, so they should switch you back.

 

[Sussexmax]

When I was first diagnosed I was put on metformin then changed to metformin sr and I was still getting the horrible symptoms with an upset stomach. So I was then changed to Sukkarto and that seemed to suit me ,no more upset tummy. However after being on them for 3 years the GP has suddenly changed them back to Metformin sr ( it seems that all the GPS in the area have changed peoples prescription back to Metformin).

When my surgery originally put me on metformin they just wrote ‘metformin sr’ on the prescription. The first tablets were Yaltormin, and it was only recently when the dose was increased that I was given Sukkarto. Both have thankfully only given me an upset stomach and diarrhoea on the few occasions that I’ve eaten rich or very processed food. I’ve tried to be positive and see it as the metformin giving me a warning to eat healthily and watch what I eat!

 

[Paul Goldie]

I have previously had all sorts off tummy isses with generic metformin. one really nice GP i had put me on Glucophagre SR metformin and my tummy issues cleared up, then some smart alec ant the surgery decided to do a medication review without consulting me and changed my Glucopharge to Sukkarto and within days i was back to having tummy issues, so i called the GP to get my Glucopharge back which they did and now, again, no issues. as someone said the main ingredient will be the same but all the generic brands use differennt quantities of fillers and binding agents.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear this @Spiregirl

Hopefully a quick call or e-consult will help you get to the bottom of things, and get you swapped back to a medication that suits you better?

 

[Spiregirl]

Thanks for the replies. Just an update!. I had a Dr appointment this morning and while I was there I queried why I had been changed from Sukkarto back to Metformin SR. She asked me who,
and why it had been changed. I told her it was someone from the prescription desk. She had a look and apparently it was as I suspected,it was a cost cutting excercise instructed by the management. However the good news is she’s changed it back and put a note on my records that is not to be changed again
Linda

 

[Sussexmax]

Thanks for the replies. Just an update!. I had a Dr appointment this morning and while I was there I queried why I had been changed from Sukkarto back to Metformin SR. She asked me who,
and why it had been changed. I told her it was someone from the prescription desk. She had a look and apparently it was as I suspected,it was a cost cutting excercise instructed by the management. However the good news is she’s changed it back and put a note on my records that is not to be changed again
Linda

Ahh I’m glad you’ve managed to get the GP to put you back on Sukkarto… definitely worth it if it makes you feel better! It’s amazing that different brands of exactly the same tablets can make so much difference. But I can believe it knowing how metformin seems to give us all side effects to varying degrees. I’ll know what to expect if I suddenly get given unbranded metformin, especially as my GP only puts ‘metformin sr’ on the prescription!!

 

[Sharron1]

Thanks for the replies. Just an update!. I had a Dr appointment this morning and while I was there I queried why I had been changed from Sukkarto back to Metformin SR. She asked me who,
and why it had been changed. I told her it was someone from the prescription desk. She had a look and apparently it was as I

suspected,it was a cost cutting excercis

Thanks for the replies. Just an update!. I had a Dr appointment this morning and while I was there I queried why I had been changed from Sukkarto back to Metformin SR. She asked me who,
and why it had been changed. I told her it was someone from the prescription desk. She had a look and apparently it was as I suspected,it was a cost cutting excercise instructed by the management. However the good news is she’s changed it back and put a note on my records that is not to be changed again
Linda

e instructed by the management. However the good news is she’s changed it back and put a note on my records that is not to be changed

I had a similar thing last year with the nurse who wated to change the SR metformin and I said i was conerned about stomach issues. She told me it was about NHS saving money but (wait for it) as I was so lovely she would keep me on my usual metformin. Hmmm.