Metformin how does it work diabetes

Discover 38 healthy high fiber foods here. If metformin is not working, blood sugar levels can rise. This requires immediate medical attention. This issue does not always cause symptoms, but severely high blood sugar can cause :. Learn more about high blood sugar here. As the American Diabetes Association caution, if blood sugar levels continue to rise, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as a diabetic coma. Learn more about diabetic ketoacidosis here. Metformin can cause minor side effects and some severe ones that require immediate medical attention.

A rare but very serious side effect is lactic acidosis, or a buildup of acid in the blood. This can be fatal. If a person notices the following symptoms, they should receive emergency medical attention:. Metformin can cause some minor side effects. Common ones include:. Taking metformin with a meal may help ease these side effects.

If they are mild but persist for a few weeks or longer, contact the doctor. Metformin is a diabetes medication in a category of drugs called biguanides, but there are no alternatives for it in this class. Other diabetes medications work in different ways. Beyond insulin and metformin, other drug treatments include:. Learn more about diabetes medications here. Doctors choose the most appropriate diabetes medication for each person depending on their needs.

Some of these drugs are injected, and some people may prefer not to use them for this reason. The doctor will take these considerations into account. The first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes is a combination of changes to diet and exercise routines and the medication metformin.

It may take several weeks or months before this treatment reduces blood sugar levels. However, similar to other drugs, allergy to metformin may occur. If you suspect you are having an allergic reaction, talk to your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

The two most common reasons that patients should not take metformin include: intolerance and kidney damage:. Patients who do not adjust to, or cannot tolerate, the gastrointestinal disturbances would be switched to another medication for blood sugar control.

Diabetes can cause damage to our kidneys, and when our kidneys start to show this damage, your doctor will recommend you change to another medication for blood glucose control. That is not to say that the metformin caused the damage, rather, once you have reached a certain level of damage, you cannot take metformin anymore.

Cecelia Health is a high-growth, venture-backed health tech services company based in New York City. Our company partners with pharmaceutical companies, payers, ACOs and self-insured employers to deliver a personalized, technology-based approach to improving medical adherence and health outcomes for people living with diabetes and related chronic conditions. May 17, by Cecelia Health.

In some people, metformin causes blood glucose levels to drop too low, and the medical term for this is hypoglycemia. There is also a very low risk of developing a condition called lactic acidosis, which results from a buildup of lactic acid.

This condition can be life-threatening. Certain people taking metformin may also have a risk of kidney damage. A study suggests that metformin may reduce kidney function in people with both chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Does metformin cause hair loss? Click here to find out more. Exercise can reduce insulin resistance and improve type 2 diabetes symptoms.

However, some research suggests that taking metformin in the short term may reduce the positive effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity. Due to the side effects of metformin and other antidiabetic medications, a person may prefer to manage type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. Many people with type 2 diabetes find that they can manage their condition through lifestyle changes alone.

These can include:. Click here to find out more about how the different ways people can approach treatment for diabetes. When a person chooses to stop taking metformin, or any other antidiabetic medication, there is a risk of symptoms becoming worse. It is, therefore, essential that people manage their symptoms through sustainable lifestyle changes involving the diet, weight management, and regular exercise.

Learn more here about the symptoms and complications of diabetes. A person can stop using this drug safely if they are able to manage their type 2 diabetes effectively through sustainable lifestyle changes. A doctor will often use certain criteria to determine whether it is safe for an individual to stop taking metformin. A doctor can give advice about choosing the right diet and exercise plans. They can also help set realistic goals and provide monitoring and support.

This works quickly to lower blood sugar levels, but it can lead to weight gain in people who have not used similar drugs before, and a loss of blood sugar control, which may lead to hypoglycemia. People with severe kidney problems may need to start with a lower dose than other people, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain what type of metformin tablets you're on and how to take them. Metformin is also available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.

Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels regularly and may change your dose of metformin if necessary. When you first start taking metformin standard-release tablets, you'll be advised to increase the dose slowly. This reduces the chances of getting side effects. If you find you cannot tolerate the side effects of standard-release metformin, your doctor may suggest switching to slow-release tablets.

If you miss a dose of metformin, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. An overdose of a large number of metformin tablets can cause serious health problems. The symptoms are severe and quick to appear. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away after 1 week:. Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugar known as hypoglycaemia, or "hypos" when taken on its own. But hypos can happen when you take metformin with other diabetes medicines, such as insulin or gliclazide.

To prevent hypoglycaemia, it's important to have regular meals, including breakfast. Never miss or delay a meal. If you're planning to exercise more than usual, make sure you eat carbohydrates like bread, pasta or cereals before, during or after exercise. Always carry a fast-acting carbohydrate with you, like sugar cubes, fruit juice or some sweets, in case your blood sugar level gets low.

Artificial sweeteners will not help. You may also need to eat a starchy carbohydrate, like a sandwich or a biscuit, to maintain your blood sugar for longer. If taking in sugar does not help or the hypo symptoms come back, contact your doctor or the nearest hospital. Make sure your friends and family know about your diabetes and the symptoms of low blood sugar levels so they can recognise a hypo if it happens.

It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to metformin. These are not all the side effects of metformin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. If you're taking any of the following medicines, your blood sugar levels may need to be checked more often and your dose adjusted:. Some women might need a small adjustment in their metformin dose after starting contraceptive pills.

That's because contraceptive pills change how your body handles sugar. There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with metformin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Metformin stimulates ovulation in women with PCOS and can encourage regular periods, even if you do not have diabetes. Metformin is not licensed to treat PCOS specifically, but it can sometimes be prescribed to improve fertility.

You may have to see a specialist doctor for this. You may not have any symptoms of diabetes, so you will not necessarily feel any different when you take metformin. Metformin will help keep your blood sugar level stable and reduce your chances of diabetes-related problems in the future.

Metformin is safe to take for a long time. It will not make you put on weight, and may even help you lose some weight. You may need more checks if you're an older person or your kidneys are not working normally. Metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time.

Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin. If you have diabetes , you're entitled to free prescriptions for all of your medicines, not just your diabetes ones. The application form for the medical exemption certificate is called FP92A.