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Jun 17, 2024 · Common metformin side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It can also cause fatigue, weight loss, and low vitamin B12 levels. While uncommon, metformin can also cause blood glucose to drop too low and lactic acidosis. In severe cases, these side effects are medical emergencies. Long-term metformin use isn’t known to cause dementia ...
Aug 18, 2023 · Rare Side Effects of Metformin. Some people (in one study, it was less than 5%) reported heartburn, headaches, upper respiratory infection, or a bad taste in the mouth when they took extended ...
- Overview
- More common side effects of metformin
- Serious side effects of metformin
- Side effects during pregnancy
- Managing the side effects of metformin
- Risk factors for experiencing side effects
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
Metformin is used to help treat type 2 diabetes. Mild side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are common and go away with time. But, some serious side effects may require medical attention.
Metformin is a prescription drug for type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called biguanides.
Type 2 diabetes is the result of long-term insulin resistance. This means that your body produces insulin but does not use it efficiently. Insulin resistance can cause blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise to a potentially unsafe level. Over time, high blood sugar can cause complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and heart disease.
Metformin doesn’t cure diabetes. Instead, it helps lower your blood sugar levels into a safe range.
Doctors may also prescribe metformin off-label to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Metformin can cause side effects ranging from mild to serious. Most side effects are mild and primarily affect your digestive system. Severe side effects, such as lactic acidosis, are less common but require prompt medical attention.
Metformin causes some common side effects. These can occur when you start taking metformin, but they usually go away over time. Talk with a doctor if these symptoms are severe or cause a problem.
Common side effects of metformin include:
•heartburn
•stomach pain
•nausea or vomiting
•bloating
Lactic acidosis
Although it is rare, metformin’s most serious side effect is lactic acidosis. Metformin has a boxed warning — also called a black box warning — about this risk. A boxed warning is the most severe warning the FDA issues. Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious problem resulting from a buildup of metformin in your body, which causes a pH imbalance. It’s a medical emergency that must be treated immediately in the hospital. Symptoms can include: •extreme tiredness •weakness •decreased appetite •nausea •vomiting •trouble breathing •dizziness •lightheadedness •a fast or slow heart rate •a cold feeling •muscle pain •flushing or sudden reddening and warmth in your skin •stomach pain combined with any of these other symptoms Contact a doctor right away if you have any symptoms of lactic acidosis. If you have trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis has an estimated death rate of up to 50%. Taking some other medications, including corticosteroids and blood pressure medications, with metformin may increase your risk of lactic acidosis. See the risk factors section for more information about factors that raise your risk of this complication.
Anemia
Metformin can decrease the levels of vitamin B12 in your body. In rare cases, this can cause anemia (low levels of red blood cells). If you don’t get much vitamin B12 or calcium through your diet, you may be at higher risk of having very low vitamin B12 levels. The more common symptoms of anemia include: •tiredness •dizziness •lightheadedness If you think you may have anemia, make an appointment with your doctor to have your red blood cell levels checked. Your vitamin B12 levels may improve if you stop taking metformin or take vitamin B12 supplements. Make sure to talk with the doctor who prescribed metformin before you stop taking it.
Stopping a medication
Always talk with a doctor before stopping any prescribed medication to make sure it is safe to do so. They may gradually lower your dose or prescribe a different medication. Was this helpful?
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, metformin is usually safe to take while pregnant or nursing, either by itself or with insulin.
Metformin crosses the placenta but has not been linked to increased rates of fetal development issues or complications.
A 2022 study found no long-term negative effects of metformin use during pregnancy. The authors noted that metformin use may result in a fetus being small for its gestational age and recommended caution if there is a risk that a fetus will not get adequate nutrition.
The authors also noted that metformin use in females with PCOS is associated with a reduced risk of negative outcomes.
Most of the common side effects of metformin involve your digestive system. You can minimize your chances of developing side effects by:
•Starting with a low dose: It’s best to start at a low dose and work up over time to reduce your chances of developing side effects. A typical starting dose is 500 milligrams.
•Taking metformin with a meal: Taking metformin with a meal can help reduce your chances of developing an upset stomach or digestive discomfort.
•Taking extended-release metformin: You can talk with a doctor to determine whether extended-release metformin might be right for you. This type of metformin releases slowly over time and typically has milder side effects. Be sure to discuss the FDA recall of certain brands of extended-release metformin to ensure that you get a safe version.
•Taking pills whole: You should not crush pills. Doing so can mean that your body will absorb them more quickly.
If you develop uncomfortable side effects, contact your prescribing doctor. They may recommend changing your dosage, particularly during times of stress.
Kidney problems
Your kidneys remove metformin from your body. If your kidneys are not working as they should, you’ll have higher metformin levels in your system. This raises your risk of lactic acidosis. If you have mild or moderate kidney problems, a doctor may start you on a lower metformin dosage. If you have severe kidney problems or are age 80 or older, metformin may not be right for you. A doctor will likely test your kidney function before you take metformin and then again each year.
Heart problems
If you have diabetes, you are at an increased risk of heart disease. That’s because high blood sugar can eventually damage your blood vessels. Therefore, managing your diabetes by taking medications such as metformin may help lower your risk of heart problems. Studies suggest that metformin may reduce the risk of heart-related death and events among people with type 2 diabetes. It may also lower the risk of death from and reoccurrence of heart failure in people who have already experienced it. However, researchers found these benefits did not occur in people without diabetes.
Liver problems
You should not take metformin if you have severe liver problems. Your liver clears lactic acid from your body. Severe liver problems could lead to a buildup of lactic acid, which increases your risk of lactic acidosis. Metformin also raises your risk, so taking it is dangerous if you have liver problems.
What exactly does metformin do to your body?
Metformin helps lower blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and increasing the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, allowing them to take up more glucose from the blood.
What is the most serious side effect of metformin?
The most serious side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially life threatening condition characterized by the buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream.
What should you avoid while taking metformin?
Metformin may interact with other medications, including those that help manage blood pressure, seizures, heartburn, and cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about all the medications you’re taking before you begin taking metformin. While taking metformin, you should avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can increase the risk of lactic acidosis.
If you’ve received a prescription for metformin and you’re concerned about its side effects, talk with your doctor. You may want to review this article with them. Be sure to ask any questions you may have, such as:
•What side effects should I watch out for?
•Am I at high risk for lactic acidosis?
•Is there another medication I could take that might cause fewer side effects?
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- How it works. Metformin may be used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Metformin increases the ability of cells to uptake glucose by improving their insulin sensitivity.
- Upsides. Metformin is the preferred therapy for people with Type 2 diabetes without any contraindications. It may be used in combination with other medications for Type 2 diabetes.
- Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include
- Bottom Line. Metformin improves how the body responds to insulin and it is effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Taste disturbances, diarrhea, and other stomach-related side effects are common side effects.
Apr 8, 2024 · Metformin is a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, according to current diabetes guidelines. It's relatively inexpensive and its potential side effects are well understood. If you have diabetes and need metformin to help lower your blood sugar, its other potential health benefits are a wonderful — not harmful — side effect.
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Aug 22, 2023 · slow or irregular heart rate. Common metformin side effects may include: low blood sugar; nausea, upset stomach; or. diarrhea. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Metformin side effects (more detail)
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Jun 28, 2024 · Takeaway. Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medicine that is safe for most people who take it. The most common side effect is GI upset, especially diarrhea, but that should improve once you’ve been ...
