Metformin
About Metformin
Metformin used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group of anti-diabetic medicines called biguanides. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disorder that affects the way our body processes glucose. Metformin is prescribed for the condition of type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone have not been enough to control the blood glucose levels.
Metformin contains Metformin, which works by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed from the food and the amount of glucose made by the liver. It also increases the body's response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Thereby, Metformin helps control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
In some cases, Metformin may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually overtime. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult the doctor.
Do not take Metformin if you are allergic to any of its components. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Metformin is safe for use in children above 10 years if prescribed by the doctor. Keep the doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Metformin
Medicinal Benefits
Metformin plays a vital role in managing diabetes and achieving good control of blood sugar levels by delaying the absorption of sugar and increasing insulin sensitivity in the body. Metformin does not cause a sudden lowering of the blood glucose level or cause significant hypoglycaemia. Unlike other anti-diabetic therapies like sulfonylureas or insulin, Metformin does not cause weight gain but may cause modest weight loss. In the prediabetic condition, Metformin is the only recommended treatment available. Metformin also helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes such as kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy), blindness (diabetic retinopathy), loss of sensation in your hands and feet (diabetic neuropathy) or even loss of foot. Metformin also helps to reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Metformin
- Digestive problems
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
Drug Warnings
Do not take Metformin if you are allergic to any of its components or if you have severe kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, or metabolic acidosis. Inform the doctor if you have dehydration, infections, liver or kidney problems, uncontrolled diabetes, heart problems, or low levels of vitamin B12. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis (vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, severe tiredness, difficulty breathing, and reduced body temperature and heartbeat) or dehydration (severe vomiting, diarrhoea, exposure to heat, fever or if you drink less fluid than normal).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking anti-diabetic (insulin glargine), diuretic (furosemide), or thyroid hormone (levothyroxine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have lactic acidosis, liver or kidney problems, low blood glucose or vitamin B12 levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advisable not to consume alcohol along with Metformin to avoid unpleasant side effects like lactic acidosis.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult the doctor if you are pregnant. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Breast Feeding
cautionMetformin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding or if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedMetformin may not affect your ability to drive. However, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionMetformin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionMetformin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending on your renal functions. Metformin is not recommended in severe kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is therefore important if you're taking Metformin.
Children
safe if prescribedMetformin is not recommended for children below 10 years of age. For children above 10 years, the dose will be recommended by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Invest at least 150 min of your week in moderate-intensity physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Losing weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replacing refined carbohydrate-containing foods with whole grain foods and increasing intake of fruits and veggies and other fibre-enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
- Avoid taking too much stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You can adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness to control stress-related blood sugar changes or meditation or yoga.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk, cheese, etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (140/90) as possible, as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
Special Advise
- Keep taking Metformin even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose; consult your treating physician for advice.
- Take short, frequent meals, and avoid prolonged fasting when taking Metformin. Beware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc. Whenever you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies, 3 glucose biscuits or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar and also get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially during long travels.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while on Metformin as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (a decrease in blood sugar, which might be fatal in some cases) and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body, which impacts the functioning of various organs in the body).
- Try to quit smoking and reduce your intake of carbohydrate-rich food like potatoes, rice, mangoes, bread, sugar, etc.
- Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic or lifelong disease that keeps the body away from properly utilizing insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be weight gain, while in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complications of type 2 diabetes also include neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), retinopathy (damaged retina of eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and increased chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed from the food and the amount of glucose made by the liver.
Metformin increases insulin sensitivity in the body and delays the absorption of sugar, which is crucial for controlling blood sugar levels and managing diabetes. Neither severe hypoglycemia nor a sharp drop in blood sugar is brought on by Metformin. In contrast to other anti-diabetic medications like insulin or sulfonylureas, Metformin does not increase weight but instead has the potential to cause slight weight loss. The only recommended treatment for the prediabetic condition is Metformin. Additionally, Metformin aids in the prevention of major diabetes-related side effects like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and even foot loss. Additionally, Metformin lowers your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Metformin is associated with either modest weight loss or stable body weight. However, if you experience excessive weight loss while on treatment with Metformin, inform your doctor without any delay. There is a possibility that your dosage needs to be adjusted.
Yes. If you are taking Insulin regularly, you need to consult a doctor before taking Metformin.
Try to take your medicine at the scheduled time, and do not skip your doses. If you forget to take Metformin, do not take a double dose to make up for your forgotten dose. Taking an overdose might cause your sugar level to fall down rapidly. Try to take the next dose at the usual time.
Do not take excessive alcohol while taking Metformin, as this may increase the risk of a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the body), which causes symptoms like dizziness, drowsiness, muscle pain, fast, shallow breathing, etc.
Contact your doctor before having an X-ray or scan which involves the use of the injection of contrast materials that contain iodine into your bloodstream as it may affect your kidney function.
Your doctor will decide when you must stop and when to restart your treatment with Metformin before and after the surgery.
No. Metformin is only prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, also called 'non-insulin-dependent diabetes'.
Metformin should be swallowed as a whole with water. Taking it with or after a meal helps prevent side effects affecting digestion.
Metformin helps to lower your blood glucose to as normal a level as possible. It increases your body's response to insulin and decreases the amount of glucose absorbed from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver.
Metformin may not make you sleepy. Consult the doctor if you experience sleepiness as it could be a sign of ketoacidosis.
Symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, difficulty breathing, reduced body temperature and heartbeat, and severe tiredness. Consult the doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Metformin can be used during pregnancy only if prescribed by the doctor. Please consult the doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or think you may be pregnant.
Metformin may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually overtime. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult the doctor.
Store Metformin at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
