Metformin: Benefits, Side Effects
Metformin, brand name Glucophage
You may be taking or considering metformin if you have Type II diabetes, “prediabetes,” or, though the scientific evidence for its use isn’t so solid, polycystic ovary syndrome.
Metformin works in several ways. It helps certain parts of the body respond properly to insulin, reduces how much glucose is released into the bloodstream, and does a few other things.
Most of what we know about Metformin is good. It doesn’t seem to cause weight gain, and in fact, may cause slight weight loss. It’s affordable. And it has 4 decades of use, meaning we know a lot more about it than many other medications.
One study showed that use of metformin over several years reduced mortality – or death - rates related to diabetes by an impressive 36%.
Side effects of metformin
Metformin’s side effects are mostly mild and treatable, though there is a the rare chance of a problem called lactic acidosis. About 30% of users experience some sort of side effect, including indigestion and diarrhea.
Taking metformin with a meal is one way to reduce problems, as well as taking an extended release version. The immediate release form has about a 17% rate of diarrhea, for instance, while the extended release has only about 8%.
Some have complained that metformin makes them smell bad.
Lactic acidosis is a very rare side effect that is fatal about 50% of the time. Estimates of how often it occurs range from 1/30,000 patient-years to a bit higher. But assuming you meet the criteria for using metformin, most likely you shouldn’t worry about it.
Most doctors strongly feel that the benefits of metformin outweigh the risks of lactic acidosis. As one doctor puts it, “Of 10,000 diabetic patients treated for 10 years with metformin, only 10 will die from lactic acidosis. [Based on a large study] of those 10,000 patients… metformin would [have prevented] 500 diabetes related deaths.”
Because of how effective metformin seems to be, some doctors argue for more aggressive use of the medication than is currently done.
Most common metformin side effects: nausea, metallic taste in mouth, some weight loss, vomiting and abdominal bloating. Cramping or a feeling of fullness is also fairly common.
Talk to your doctor: if you feel excessively weak, have heartbeat changes or irregularities, chest pain, or signs of an allergic reaction. Some people experience hypoglycemia, or too low blood sugar, on Metformin, which is also important to watch for. Signs include chills, weakness and dizziness.
You may need to stop use if you are going to get an X-ray or scan that involves injection of die into your body.
This list does not include everything; see manufacturer’s insert for more.
Notes
Metformin can cause Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies, so make sure to be eating a well balanced diet. Additionally, remember that the initial and ideal treatment for type II diabetes is exercise and improved diet.
And it’s important to take metformin as your doctor directs. It takes a while to start working and needs to be taken as recommended.
There are several conditions which mean you shouldn’t take metformin, like kidney problems. It’s possible that a significant amount of the lactic acidosis occurs in people who, according to the strict guidelines, shouldn’t have been taking the medication.
Related articles:
- Bydureon Diabetes Drug, Side Effects
- 10 Tips for Living With Type 1 Diabetes
- What are the symptoms of Diabetes?
Just for fun:
I was put on metformin.
I had pain every single day/night.
Gas, gas and gas.
But the pain was so horrible I called the dr’s office.
They took me off of it and put me on Actos.
I then read on the internet DO NOT TAKE ACTOS if fluid retention ! Now I have to wait until my apt to talk over things with them on this.
But metformin caused gas. So does Actos.
I dont know why the pills cause this PAIN/GAS ?
I would like to know what is happening in the body because of this that these pills are doing to cause it.
I’ve been on Met for one month. I personally LOVE this medication. i have lost 15 pounds since beginning the regimen. This is not completely because of the Met, but rather a positive side effect of eating right, increasing my activity and following a strict diet of low carb HEALTHY food eating plan.
I also take my Metformin with 2 Vit B complex supplements. If I forget or I’m too lazy to take the supplements with it, I notice my tummy hurts a little. Could be psychological. LOL
I have had no nausea, no diarrhea, and no abdominal discomfort. I credit this to watching every morsel of food that crosses my lips. For patients who are having difficulties with this medicine, you can’t just eat what you have always been eating and not expect trouble.
If I do have bread it is in a sandwich form with tons of fresh turkey breast. I have eaten at Ruby Tuesdays once and had the mini burger, but I had a huge plate of Cottage cheese BEFORE I ate the carbs. Eat your carbs with protein and you will have better success!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, guys!
joan: We don’t know much about how metformin works, but we do know that it interacts with some of the digestive systems to change how the body deals with insulin and other hormones. So that somehow causes gas =)
I was on Metformin in 2005 for PCOS and for the 3 months I was on it, I had constant diaherra after eating….seriously within 10 min of eating i was in the bathroom. Totally sucked. In fact i took myself off the meds without doc acknowledgement and did not think it helped me with my PCOS symptoms at all.
I have gas, gas, gas, and again gas with my glucophage. By now I cant sand the terrible smell that accompanies it. WHAT CAN / SHOULD I DO?
I have been on the Meformin for over 3 months, I have extreme diarrhea after eating some foods. I don’t like this but what is worse is the sickness and stomach pain. I don’t know whether I should just try to keep up better with what I eat, or just stop taking it. I am just eating the same as my husband and will be fine one minute, then in about an hour I am bent over in pain, sick at my stomach and wondering what is going on. Any help would be appreciated.
I was on Metforman for approax. 1yr..6months ago I developed systemic pain in joints and muscles.It increased to the point that I was having truoble walking..x-rays showed only arthritis But this was so severe I saw stars when trying to walk..It dawned on me the metformin can cause some symptoms like this I stoped this medication and the pain has subsided.I will discuss this when I see the Dr. after Thanksgiving
thank you
It helps to know that Im not the only one who experiences diarrhea. I’ve been under metformin (brand humamet) since July this year and Im experiencing diarrhea, vomiting and gas problems everytime I tried taking 1000 mg. Actually my supposedly dosage is 1500mg but I can only tolerate 500mg..Everytime I tried 1000mg, I always have to leave from work because of the symptoms. In my case, its better to take the met 2 hrs before lunchtime.
metformin is good but liver n kidney patients should avoid it.
I took myself off Metformin because of pernicious anemia and hair loss. Now my 11 year old’s psychiatrist is thinking of treating her with it for appetite suppression because one of her medications for psychological problems increases appetite. I think this is wrong, wrong, wrong. Please let me know if anyone else knows of this treatment for kids, and how you feel about it.
I should have said my 11 year old granddaughter. Thanks.
Addendum #2: My granddaughter is not a diabetic and I fear that using Metformin will make her glucose numbers plunge. I will ask my psychiatrist what he would recommend instead.
I had very smelly painful gas. I took myself off Metformin because of severe calf muscle pain, my legs are sore to the touch. I can feel my calf muscles contracting on there own. Mostly on my left side I am currently walking with a limp. I called the doctors office with my complaints, but they told me that my side effects were not known side effects. I’am now seeing a diabetes specialist and he put me on Levemir insulin it is working very good.
i was on metformin for 8mnths and lost 6kgs ,my menses became regular(every month),facial hair growth was minimal,i loved it but didnt enjoy hypoglycaemic effects.always felt hungry,diarrohea initially after everymeal for 1st 2month which subsided after 2mnths.sadly stopped after being advised against by a haemopath that the long term effect is nasty and would increase cholesterol and future heart problems.regret stoping it coz menses irregular again with minimal bleed.
I have been on Metformin for 7 days and can honestly say that I have never been so sick in my life. I have so much gas and the pains? Yeah, I want to die. BMs have been completely normal and I try to expel the gas, but nothing, nothing, nothing… and then a huge release that’s uncontrolable and painful. But then I feel fantastic for about 15 minutes before it starts to build again. Also, I have lost my appetite and am eating about 1/4, if that, of what I used. I also have have heartburn and most foods make me nauseous. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the lovely verping after I do eat. Good times.
I don’t want to say that everyone should be on this medication, BUT …I can tell you that the longer you are on it the more your body adjusts to the meds and your side effects lesson immensely, as in the case of my sister.
I am super lucky…I got minimal side effects…heartburn the first time I took it and loose stools once in a while but no diarrhea. Best of luck.
Wow I tried Metformin a yr ago, 500mg twice a day and suffered from dodgy belly, hair loss and muscle contractions in my leg. However I am type 1 diabetic and have become insuling reistant in the morning which is causing me great concern. So if I increase my night time background insuling, it falls around 4am then creeps up duringthe morning resulting in double figures at breakfast. Now I have been advised to take 500g just in th emorning to see if that helps. I will give it a try as I am desperate to get my morning levels down but I am concerned about the hair loss. I do exercise min 3 times a week but I haven’t seen any improvements.
In addition I do have pernicious anaemia, PCOS and an underactivew thyroid gland! Any advice would be appreciated!
Nina
Amonth ago my doctor put me om metformin, starting with one a day after 2 weeks 2 a day. u am having terrible bloating,and diarrohea, and I have been working with a trainer a year and 2 months to look good wow i am nervouse about this medicine. Am I having a reaction to it and when will the bloating go away. I am overseas at the time and will not be home fr 2 months. Should I find a doctor here?
I’m on day 4 of taking this medicine and I have never felt so sick in my life!!! I am on 500mg twice a day. I’m convinced if nothing else if this continues how it is I’ll definately lose weight just from being so sick. I started this med over a month ago but started feeling sick so stopped not knowing it was supposed to make me feel sick so I went back to dr. And She told me it was normal so here I am on day 4 again. So glad to hear this shall pass. I was told I have PCOS and that this was the cause of why I have not been able to get pregnant. Has anyone had any luck getting pregnant after being on this med???
Rebecca, I hear that a lot of women have success getting pregnant with it. If you go to PCOS websites, they talk about it. It doesn’t work with everyone. I wouldn’t know as I am not trying.
I have found that increasing my dosage slowly helps. I went off of it for a few weeks because of another medical problem. Now, I know I have to start back at 125 mg and work my way slowly up. I get terrible diarrhea and cramps as well. I take 125 mg (I split my metformin pill because it isn’t extended release) and take it with meals. After three days, I work my way slowly up. If I go off it for two days, it is back to the start. How annoying!
I have been on metformin for about couple of years.Doc increased dosage 500mg twice a day in the last 6 months.He also put me on Januvia 100mg one tablet a day.Gas,gas,very bad smelly gas,bloating,weight loss,loss of appetite,cramps and hair lose.Went back to Doc 3 times complaining about so much side effects and confirming it is the metformin and what he does gives me a big lecture that there is no side effects from met.He turns around and increases my dosage to 4 500mgs a day which is causing even more side effects and low sugar.In need of help if any other recommended medication may be avaiable.At times,it is very embarrasing been in the public.
I was put on metformin to help get pregnant. the first two months it was great no complaints. Then as the third month hit, I had a non-stop urge to go to the bathroom and not for a number 2. I felt I always had to urinate. The pain became unbearable at times. I was put on antibotics etc. Nothing work, so I just assumed it was metformin that was causing it. So, I took myself off and it went away. I hope no one has to go through this. But everyone is different…just sharing my story with metformin. goodluck!
I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic 4 years ago…was very shocked because I am very fit…I ride my bike to work, I have been bodybuilding since 13 yo (I am 49 yo), go for regular long walks and I eat a good low fat, low GI diet. Went on Metformin 500mg/day…no side effects, lost 10kg (from 97 to 87kg) in 4 weeks and I am ripped :))) I have never had such a big drop in weight in all my life, even when training hard and reducing my calorific intake. My overnight fasting glucose levels went from 6.6 to 5 or less. Bloody good drug!!!
wow steve, you’re lucky! I’ve been taking Met for 4 weeks because of insulin resistance. I feel so crappy, headahes, dizzy, nausea, cranky, wondering why I havent lost weight….but, apparently persisting taking it will reap the benefits. hope so because I feel like stopping taking them. No gas as the other’s have mentioned, just feel blahhhhhh all the time. Finding my quality of life is miserable feeling like this. I take 500mg in the morning extended release, supposed to increase it to one in the evening too, but cant bring mmself to. going back to Dr in 2 weeks and will see what she says…Good Luck All
Does metformin cause serious cardiac problems.I know a person who suffers from serious bloating problems and tachycardia after eating
I was on regular Metformin for Type II diabetes for a couple months with the usual symptoms/side effects: Smelly gas, bloating, diarrhea, cramps. It didn’t go away after a couple months so I switched to Metformin Extended Release, starting the side effects process all over. I’ve been on the ER for almost three months now and I still occassionally get really bad gas and diarrhea. I will say that if you take it in the MIDDLE of a meal it definitely helps, as well as keeping carb load to what is recommended if you are diabetic. I’ve noticed that if I eat a very heavy carb meal, it makes the side effects worse, which my doctor told me is due to large shifts in my glucose levels. I’m am going to stay on the drug and hope it gets better. I hope my advice helps some of you.
check your own blood sugar levels pls
I’ve will be on metformin 4 yrs in oct. for the last year for PCOS. Wasn’t sure if it was working till earlier this year. and I was so excited to too it was. I tend to lose two lbs a month if i control my diet. since being on it I have horrible cramp’s when it’s that time. I feel like vomiting or passing out. it has gotten better over the last couple of years. and i live on immodium while at work
I have been getting severe stomach cramp’s for a year now off & on. I went to quick care they did test’s, no clue. I stopped taking metformin for 3 week’s. my stomach was fine over all. I started taking it again about 3 maybe 4 day’s ago & the stomach pain is back. I’m not truly sure it is from the metformin but the side affect’s i’ve been looking up include abdominal pain. I am leary about taking it any longer.
I WAS ON METFORMIN FOR 18 MONTHS AND LOST 35 LB PROBABLY NECAUSE OF SEVERE DIARRHEA. I WAS AND AM STILL HAVING GREAT DIFFICULTY WITH ALWAYS BEING COLD, VERY LOW RED BLOOOD CELLS, POSSIBLE KIDNEY DISEASE, WEAKNESS, MUSCLE PAIN ARE
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES RIGHT NOW