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. Sulfonylureas and insulin can have faster results, but they can carry additional risks. A doctor can provide detailed information about how diabetes medications work and other ways to reduce blood sugar levels.
Severely high blood sugar is a medical emergency, so it is important to undergo regular monitoring and understand when to seek medical care. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that can occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In this article, learn about the symptoms and…. Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise.
The body may stop producing insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, and this results in type 1…. Diabetes is an ongoing condition in which the body either produces too little insulin or does not use insulin effectively.
Management includes…. To maintain the right amount of blood sugar, the body needs insulin, a hormone that delivers this sugar to the cells.
About metformin Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes , and to help prevent type 2 diabetes if you're at high risk of developing it. PCOS is a condition that affects how the ovaries work. Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels by improving the way your body handles insulin. Metformin is available on prescription as tablets and as a liquid that you drink. Metformin works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. It also makes your body respond better to insulin.
Insulin is the hormone that controls the level of sugar in your blood. It's best to take metformin with a meal to reduce the side effects.
The most common side effects are feeling and being sick, diarrhoea, stomach ache and going off your food. Metformin does not cause weight gain, unlike some other diabetes medicines. Liquid metformin is called by the brand name Riomet. Metformin is prescribed for adults, and children aged 10 years and older. Tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you : have had an allergic reaction to metformin or other medicines in the past have uncontrolled diabetes have liver or kidney problems have a severe infection are being treated for heart failure or have recently had a heart attack have severe problems with your circulation or breathing difficulties drink a lot of alcohol You may need to stop taking metformin before having surgery and certain medical tests.
Tell your doctor if you need to have: a test such as an X-ray or scan involving the injection of a dye that contains iodine into your blood surgery where you'll be put to sleep. Dosage The maximum daily dose is 2,mg a day for example, 4 x mg tablets. Different types of metformin Metformin comes as 2 different types of tablet: standard-release tablets and slow-release tablets. Will my dose go up or down? For example: one mg tablet with or after breakfast for at least 1 week, then one mg tablet with or after breakfast and your evening meal for at least 1 week, then one mg tablet with or after breakfast, lunch and your evening meal If you find you cannot tolerate the side effects of standard-release metformin, your doctor may suggest switching to slow-release tablets.
What if I forget to take it? If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. What if I take too much? They include: stomach pain diarrhoea fast or shallow breathing feeling cold unusual sleepiness tiredness or weakness. Like all medicines, metformin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away after 1 week: feeling sick nausea being sick vomiting or diarrhoea stomach ache loss of appetite a metallic taste in the mouth Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10, people.
Call your doctor straight away if you get warning signs of: a general feeling of discomfort with severe tiredness, fast or shallow breathing, being cold and a slow heartbeat yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow - these can be signs of liver problems extreme tiredness, lack of energy, pins and needles, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness and disturbed vision - these could be signs of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia a skin rash, redness or itching - this could be a sign of a skin disorder Low blood sugar Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugar known as hypoglycaemia, or "hypos" when taken on its own.
Early warning signs of low blood sugar include: feeling hungry trembling or shaking sweating confusion difficulty concentrating It's also possible for your blood sugar to go too low while you're asleep. If this happens, it can make you feel sweaty, tired and confused when you wake up. Low blood sugar may happen if you: take too much of some types of diabetes medicines eat meals irregularly or skip meals are fasting do not eat a healthy diet and are not getting enough nutrients change what you eat increase your physical activity without eating more to compensate drink alcohol, especially after skipping a meal take some other medicines or herbal medicines at the same time have a hormone disorder, such as hypothyroidism have kidney or liver problems To prevent hypoglycaemia, it's important to have regular meals, including breakfast.
Serious allergic reaction It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to metformin. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sick — take metformin with food to reduce the chances of feeling sick. It may also help to slowly increase your dose over several weeks.
Ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice. Take small, frequent sips if you're being sick. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.
If you're in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor. If it helps, eat smaller meals more often than usual. Metformin is usually safe to take during pregnancy, either alone or in combination with insulin. Metformin and breastfeeding You can take metformin while you're breastfeeding. Metformin passes into breast milk, but the amount is too small to affect your baby. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.
There are some medicines that interfere with the way metformin works. If you're taking any of the following medicines, your blood sugar levels may need to be checked more often and your dose adjusted: steroid tablets, such as prednisolone tablets that make you pee more diuretics , such as furosemide medicines to treat heart problems and high blood pressure male and female hormones, such as testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone other diabetes medicines Some women might need a small adjustment in their metformin dose after starting contraceptive pills.
Mixing metformin with herbal remedies and supplements There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with metformin. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.
How does metformin work in diabetes? Metformin reduces the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. How does metformin work in PCOS? PCOS cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. It'll normally be prescribed when other treatments, such as clomifene, have not worked. With treatment, most women with PCOS are able to get pregnant. When will I feel better? This does not mean that metformin is not working, and it's important to keep taking it. That means metformin isn't labelled as safe to use for weight loss.
And although some people think that it makes you gain weight, putting on weight isn't a side-effect of metformin. While metformin is a drug that is used to treat diabetes, it can also be prescribed for other uses.
That's because it can lower insulin and blood sugar levels. This helps women with PCOS with their ovulation and periods. It also lowers the risk of a miscarriage. Speak to your doctor if you want to know more about PCOS and metformin. If you have type 1 diabetes then you might also start metformin, but only if you have insulin resistance.
Metformin can also have other long-term health benefits. These include lowering cholesterol levels and reducing heart disease risk. There is also research taking place into what else metformin can be used for.
This includes as a drug to prevent cancer. But these studies have not found any evidence yet. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with no. Skip to main navigation Skip to content. Breadcrumb Home guide to diabetes managing your diabetes treating your diabetes tablets and medication metformin. Save for later Page saved! You can go back to this later in your Diabetes and Me Close.
Metformin and diabetes. Metformin is a medication that helps the insulin you produce work better. You usually take it as a tablet. Getting started The first time you get your metformin prescription there will be a lot going through your mind. What does metformin do? When it comes to treating your diabetes, metformin will work by: reducing the amount of glucose sugar the liver releases into the body helping the body's insulin work better.
Different types of metformin When you get your prescription you might notice that it has a different name. Metformin is the most common treatment for type 2 diabetes Your prescription Your metformin prescription can be slow or standard release tablets. Standard-release tablets Standard-release tablets will give your body medicine quickly. Slow-release tablets Slow-release tablets dissolve slowly. Metformin side effects Like all medicines, metformin has side effects for some people.
Feeling sick, being sick or having diarrhoea If you feel sick after taking your metformin then try taking it with food. The signs look out for are: Being really thirsty. Dry mouth, lips and eyes. Feeling more tired than usual. Going to the toilet less than four times a day. Dark yellow and strong-smelling pee.
Feeling light headed. Stomach ache or no appetite If you have stomach pain or no appetite, you should eat smaller meals more regularly. Metallic taste in the mouth You can also have a metallic taste in your mouth as a result of the metformin. Can you stop taking metformin? Coming off medication in diabetes remission Some people are able to stop taking diabetes medication like metformin, by putting their diabetes into remission.
0コメント