Glucophage

GENERIC NAME: metformin BRAND NAME: Glucophage , Glucophage XR, Glumetza DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Metformin is an oral medication that lowers blood glucose and is used for treating type 2 diabetes.

[Linda S]

I can only take 1/2 of Metformin twice a day or I will develop extreme diarrhea. It does work to lower my blood sugar but not enough. Is there anything that can be done to stop the diarrhea so that the dosage can be increased?

[jaclyn]

yes! keep taking it, the side effect will stop. I never had any effects but I took my pills right before I ate. 5 months now no side effects. exercise will also lower your bgs.

[Lindsay]

nothing has helped me with the side effects

[jaclyn]

how long have you been taking it. I read soemwhere in another forum that some it could take up to a year for side effects to stop. sry you have them.

[Lindsay]

I've been taking 1000mg for about 4 months. I have just recently stopped about a week ago. I just hate feeling bad all the time.

[jaclyn]

I take that same dose also. What are you taking now?

[Lindsay]

nothing right now

[Barbara]

I have been taking metformin for about 3 weeks. I felt great at first, but have noticed swelling in my hands and some in my ankles. Any thoughts?

[Jim in Andover]

For more answers try the
Joslin Cinic Discussion Board @:

http://www.joslin.org/1863.asp

They have answered all my questions

Linda S wrote:

I can only take 1/2 of Metformin twice a day or I will develop extreme diarrhea. It does work to lower my blood sugar but not enough. Is there anything that can be done to stop the diarrhea so that the dosage can be increased?

[chris]

I've been taking it for a month now and i still have diarrhea bad.

[John]

On the diarrhea issue. I had this along with stomach aches when I first started taking it two 750 mg. tablets. my diarrhea finaly wnet away after several months. Then to be sure I quit it for over a month and didnt feel any difference. I still dont like taking it and it dont seem to be lowering mys sugar count, & these pills do not dissolve &show up in your stool.

[denise]

I take Avandia,Glyburude and metformin.Stopped taking metformin because it caused severe diarehha.Doctor just put me on insulin.Don't want to take it but didnt tell him I stoppedtaking metformin.Any suggestions?Should I start the metformin agsin snd not the insulin?

[TASTELESS]

LOST MY SENSE OF TASTE, EVERYTHING TASTE BAD, INCLUDING WATER, I TAKE METFORMIN DAILY, COULD THERE BE A CONNECTION

[mushymushy]

denise wrote:

I take Avandia,Glyburude and metformin.Stopped taking metformin because it caused severe diarehha.Doctor just put me on insulin.Don't want to take it but didnt tell him I stoppedtaking metformin.Any suggestions?Should I start the metformin agsin snd not the insulin?

Do not stop taking blood sugar controlling meds without consulting with your doctor. Your sugars will start to become sky high. One of the complications of high sugars is coma. You don't want that. Very bad indeed. Consult with your doc and see if there are any other options for you.

[todd]

i too took metformin for about four years, all of them i had the terrible diarrhea and stomach cramps. the doc had prescribed phenergan and that helped a little, but it wouldnt let my body give me warning. one day i nearly meesed myself at work. i was so embarrased. also no taste to the food.[i lost 30 lbs]. i also had the bad swelling. was given lasix.now i really had to go to the bathroom.[4 to 5 x's a day].i was miserable. i had been taking 2000 mg twice a day. unreal. add to that avandia, starlix and insulin and i still couldnt get my sugar down.due to loss of insurance, i have now been off all meds but insulin. have lost 40 more lbs and dont have those nasty side effects. i had a good doctor, but at one time i was on 18 different meds and 24 pills a day.i hate metformin and will never take it again. may be good for some, but not for me. do not do what i did! stopping your meds is dangerous!!! i ended up with D.K.A.[google it]. it is fatal over 50% of the time. i was lucky.

[tony]

pls try mercy oil and ocean aqua from uk. these products really works for diabetes.

[missy7]

has anyone had extreme migranes and a feeling of pure exhaustion with this medicine and can anyone tell me of amy meds that help with the drugs side effect???

[missy7]

jaclyn wrote:

yes! keep taking it, the side effect will stop. I never had any effects but I took my pills right before I ate. 5 months now no side effects. exercise will also lower your bgs.

how long did it take for the side effects to stop and was it easier to take at night time? My obgyn is telling me to just deal with it. Any helpfull advise would be great!!

[mushymushy]

Please, please, please, people. Do not stop taking your meds. I'm a nurse and I work on a critical care cardiac floor. By not controlling your blood sugar, you are opening up youself to kidney and heart problems in the near future. High blood sugar fries your major blood vessels. You know, the ones that supply blood to your major organs. If you are experiencing ill side effects from you anti hyperglycemics, resist the urge to stop taking them. Most of the time, the side effects will go away on their own. Or, talk with your doctor. There are other drugs besides Glucophage to control Type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doc about possibly switching. But, do not stop until you get a new prescription. I took care of a lady the other day, who's blood sugars where in the 500's. All due to noncompliance. If you are able, control your diet and start to exercise. This may be a way to control your blood sugar and avoid having to take the medication. Type 2 diabetics can also turn into insulin dependant diabetics if it is not controlled.
As far as Tony's advice. Check with your doc first. Some herbal remedies can do more harm than good.

[Debbie]

I am on Actos and micronaise I was put on glucophage and developed severe allergic reactions. I could not breathe and had to be rushed to the hospital. After spending a week in the hospital for a severe allergic reaction I was put on Lantis which is a 24 hour insulin. I love it the needle does not hurt at all you take it once at night before you go to sleep and my blood sugars are always low now 100-120 in the morning and around 100 before meals and at bedtime. Lantis is wonderful. Do not be afraid of insulin it will give you a new life.