When someone is given Metformin, their doctor will provide specific guidelines that should be followed strictly. For instance, Metformin and alcohol should never be mixed and certain food to avoid while taking Metformin. Otherwise, the patient may experience an adverse reaction due to medication interactions.
It is also pertinent for patients to learn more about the potential side effects of taking Metformin. While the medication is considered safe, it could lead to potential side effects with the risks being higher when the medication is not used correctly. More about the potential interactions and side effects of Metformin will be provided below.
Before using any medication, the consumer should learn as much about it as possible. Typically, the patient’s doctor will tell them more about the medication, its purpose, and its possible side effects. Metformin is primarily used to help patients who have higher blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. Metformin can be used with insulin to effectively treat diabetes.
It should also be combined with a healthy diet and more exercise. Metformin is only used by type 2 diabetics so it is never prescribed to type 1 diabetics or insulin-dependent diabetics. This prescription medication is available in several forms, including tablet, solution, and extended-release tablet.
Patients must be cautious when using any prescription medication. If the patient is a diabetic, the risks will be even higher. Always consult with a licensed medical professional to guarantee safe results. First, the patient should tell their doctor about any allergies they have. Medication and food allergies may impact the patient’s ability to take Metformin so these things should be disclosed in advance.
It is also important to talk to a medical professional about breastfeeding when using Metformin and other prescription drugs. No adequate studies have analyzed the potential risks of breastfeeding while using Metformin, but it is still something to consider. There are also numerous drug interactions.
The medical professional will tell the patient how to safely use Metformin, when to take it, and how to avoid adverse effects.
For many patients, treating diabetes is a lifelong project. In other words, they will be required to consume insulin and other medications to treat diabetes for the rest of their lives. Metformin does not work overnight because it takes time to build up in the system and for changes to occur in the body. When a patient begins using Metformin, it may take up to two weeks before they begin noticing improvements in their blood glucose management.
However, it will take much longer before the full effects are felt. It may take up to three months before the full impact of blood glucose management occurs. Even if the patient doesn’t notice results right away, they should continue taking the medication as recommended by their primary physician. Otherwise, they may stop using the drug before it can take effect.
How long does Metformin stay in your system? After use, Metformin can remain in the user’s system for roughly four days or nearly 97 hours.
Metformin is generally very safe, but it can cause issues for some patients. Typically, the side effects are mind and pass after a brief period. Some patients are worried that the medication may cause hair loss or kidney damage. A doctor will be able to calm their nerves by giving them facts about the medication.
Metformin can cause several side effects, but hair loss is not one of them. Nevertheless, the medication is sometimes attributed to hair loss. Metformin is used to create PCOS and type 2 diabetes which can lead to hair loss.
If someone is taking Metformin to treat one of these conditions and they experience hair loss, they should remember that the hair loss was caused by the illness. Metformin is not known to cause hair loss.
For some patients, there is a concern that using Metformin for long periods will lead to kidney damage. However, the medication does not cause kidney damage. Once someone takes Metformin, the kidneys will process it before clearing it out through the urine. There is always a risk that the patient’s kidneys will stop working properly.
If this happens, the amount of Metformin will accumulate in the system. Eventually, this can lead to lactic acidosis which is usually treated using sodium bicarbonate.
Each patient is different so some may experience symptoms that others will not. Furthermore, certain side effects are more common than others. One of the most common side effects of using Metformin is diarrhea. Besides diarrhea, users may also experience nausea, abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and vomiting. Generally, the patient’s diarrhea will clear up briefly.
However, some people will experience chronic diarrhea and unplanned weight loss after using Metformin for many years. The patient’s doctor can help them develop a plan to offset these complications. Alternatively, they may need to switch to an alternative medication.
There are certain foods that cause diarrhea with Metformin so it is pertinent to avoid consuming these foods. Nevertheless, Metformin and diarrhea are common.
Certain medications can make users feel lethargic and sleepy. Usually, Metformin is not going to make the user feel sleepy. Still, it could cause sleepiness if someone has been taking this medication for a long time. By taking Metformin for many years, the consumer may develop a vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause tiredness. It can also lead to someone feeling faint or breathless.
When someone experiences these symptoms while taking Metformin, it is vital to visit a licensed medical professional to get their vitamin B12 levels checked. A doctor may recommend taking vitamin B12 supplements that can help rectify the issue.
Taking Metformin at the best time may help prevent diarrhea and other side effects. Following a doctor’s recommendation is the best option. To avoid problems, it is wise for patients to take the prescribed Metformin with their evening meal. Alternatively, the medication can be taken just after dinner.
Always take the tablets with water. It is not believed that the effectiveness of Metformin will be impacted by taking it with food.
From time to time, Metformin will stop working as intended. If this happens, the patient will be more likely to experience the most serious effects of diabetes. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify this problem before it leads to life-threatening repercussions. First, the patient should look for unexpected blood sugar level increases.
If the problem is not treated immediately, more serious side effects are possible. For instance, they may experience excessive thirst, insatiable hunger, blurry vision, and fatigue.
Some will question whether they can use Metformin for fertility. Ultimately, Metformin can be beneficial to women with insulin resistance. It can also help obese males who have reduced fertility. While it is not a traditional fertility drug, it can potentially help improve fertility in certain patients.
How does Metformin help PCOS? It is not exactly clear how the medication improves fertility, but it can be used to treat a handful of fertility-related issues. People with PCOS tend to have insulin resistance which can hurt fertility. Using Metformin can help offset the problem by managing reproductive hormones and restarting ovulation.
The medication may also help restore normal menstrual cycles and improve the effectiveness of Clomid. Patients should discuss using Metformin for infertility with their doctors because it may help.
Patients sometimes compare Berberine vs Metformin because the medications are similar. Individuals prescribed either medication should find out about possible interactions so they can avoid adverse effects. For instance, certain foods should be avoided when consuming Metformin. To find food to avoid while taking Metformin, we talked with experts on it. People taking this medication should avoid eating white rice, white bread, candy, chips, crackers, and desserts.
It is also wise to avoid drinking too many sodas throughout the day. These foods and drinks could cause the patient’s blood sugar levels to increase. Therefore, the prescribed Metformin will have to work harder to maintain safe levels. Instead, it is wise to incorporate complex carbs, healthy fats, lean protein, fiber, and vegetables into a healthy diet.
Specific medications can increase the patient’s risk of developing lactic acidosis so it is pertinent to never use Metformin with these drugs. For instance, the patient should tell their doctor about using Diamox, Topamax, Zonegran, Keveyis, or Qsymia. These medications can cause a severe reaction when used with Metformin.
Do not combine them to stay healthy.
Type 2 diabetes can be managed by following a healthy diet, exercising more, and using Metformin. Patients must remember that Metformin can interact with certain medications, foods, and drinks. It is vital to learn more about these possible interactions to avoid potential problems. Otherwise, the user may develop lactic acidosis which has a mortality rate of around 50%. In this guide, we were given a list of food to avoid while taking Metformin, and hope it will be helpful.
If lactic acidosis symptoms are experienced, talk to a medical professional immediately because the condition can be life-threatening.
