Metformin Side Effects
People with diabetes probably know about Metformin and its side effects. This article is for all those who wish to learn more about this drug. Metformin is a medication used in diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) treatment, (including patients who are overweight). It is used in treating polycystic ovaries syndrome as well. According to some sources, it is one of the world’s most prescribed anti-diabetic medications. Although it is considered quite safe, it can cause some side effects. Metformin side effects are not very severe, but some people are too sensitive and can have bad reaction to this medication. Possible Metformin Side Effects Metformin does not cause many side effects, in condition it is used in appropriate cases and in recommended doses. This medication helps reducing triglycerides and can contribute to preventing cardiovascular problems in people who suffer from diabetes. Contraindications are possible in patients who suffer from any problem related to lactic acidosis. There can be kidney problems and liver or lung problems. Patients with hypothyroidism should be extra careful with this drug and must consult their doctor first. Metformin side effects that can sometimes occur are: headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence and other gastrointestinal problems. Some users may experience weight gain. Allergies to this drug are also possible, so if you experience any sort of allergic reaction (rash, difficult breathing, pain in your chest, mouth swelling, lip swelling, face or tongue swelling) call your doctor immediately. These are signs of allergic reactions, so if you experience any of these, you will have to get immediate medical help. Even if you have never had any kind of allergy, you never know what can happen. Skin rash is us Continue reading >>
Swelling (edema) And Diabetes - Swelling In The Legs, Ankles And Feet
Tweet Edema (known as oedema in the UK) is a build up of fluid in the body (water retention) which causes swelling. Edema commonly affects the legs, ankles, feet and wrist. Water retention is often treatable, with treatment varying depending on the cause. Symptoms of edema The main symptom of edema is swelling of the affected area. Other symptoms that may occur, along with swelling, include: Weight gain Aching limbs Stiff joints Discolouration of skin Hypertension (high blood pressure) What causes swelling in the legs, feet and ankles? Swollen ankles and legs will often be brought on, or aggravated, by long periods of standing. A number of medications can increase the risk of oedema. Such medications include corticosteroids, blood pressure medications and the contraceptive pill. Water retention may also be caused by a number of conditions including: A high intake of salt can increase the problems of swelling in people with kidney disease. Treatment for edema Treatment for edema may vary depending on the cause. Water retention may be resolved if the underlying cause can be adequately treated. Regular physical activity and preventing long periods of standing can help reduce water retention. A low dietary salt intake is advisable, particularly if fluid retention has been brought on by kidney disease. If you are overweight, weight loss can help with reducing fluid retention. Diuretics, also known as ‘water tablets’, help to remove fluid from the body and may be prescribed for some causes of oedema. Prevention You can reduce your risk of edema by taking steps to prevent kidney disease and heart failure from developing. This can be achieved through good control of blood glucose levels, regular exercise and a healthy diet. If you can avoid long periods of standing, this wi Continue reading >>
Norvasc Side Effects
Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine besylate, a prescription drug used to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. Norvasc is also used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients without heart failure, and certain types of angina (chest pain) from CAD, such as activity- and stress-induced angina (chronic stable angina), and angina that occurs at rest (Prinzmetal’s angina). Taken regularly, Norvasc can control angina, but it doesn't stop chest pain after it has already begun. The drug can also lower a person's risk of cardiovascular events related to high blood pressure, such as strokes and heart attacks. Norvasc belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers, which block the flow of calcium into heart muscles and the muscles along the walls of blood vessels. Because the contraction of these muscles depends on calcium, Norvasc relaxes and widens blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow. Doctors also sometimes prescribe Norvasc "off-label" for the treatment of cluster headaches, migraines, Raynaud's syndrome (a blood vessel disorder), and congestive heart failure. Manufactured by Pfizer, Norvasc was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987. In the early 1990s, researchers conducted the so-called PRAISE study, which was backed by Pfizer, to determine if Norvasc could help reduce the risk of death in people with severe heart failure. Though the study found little overall benefits to severe heart failure patients, it suggested that Norvasc might prolong the life of a subgroup of people with heart failure from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (cardiac muscle damage not associated with low blood supply to the coronary arteries). To investigate this possibility, Pfizer-sponsored the PRAISE-2 study, which found no benefit to t Continue reading >>
These 7 Medications Can Cause Puffy Legs And Ankles
Medications are a common offender when it comes to lower extremity edema, either as the cause or as a factor that can make it worse. Swelling in the lower legs from fluid in the tissues—lower extremity edema—is a familiar complaint among patients. Imprints from your socks, puffy legs and feet so you can’t put your shoes on, or swelling so that you can make an indent with your thumb (pitting edema) may lead you to wonder what’s going on. One clue that your medication could be the cause: you have edema on both sides (it’s bilateral). Swelling from a clot in the leg, a “DVT” or deep venous thromboembolism, is usually on one side not both. Other causes of bilateral lower extremity edema is dependent edema (your legs have been in a dependent position for a while—sitting or standing for long periods of time), or more complex conditions like chronic venous disease, lymphedema, or heart failure. If you do start to have lower extremity edema on both sides of your body, look at this list and make sure you aren’t taking one of these seven medications. Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a medication used to lower blood pressure. The higher the dose, the more likely you are to have swelling in both of your legs and feet. Edema occurs in 1.8% of folks taking 2.5 mg, 3% of folks taking 5 mg, and almost 11% of those taking 10 mg of amlodipine. So one in ten of you will have swelling when taking amlodipine 10 mg daily. More women taking amlodipine experience edema in their lower extremities: 15% of women compared to 5.6% of men. Other options exist for lowering blood pressure that don’t cause swelling in the legs, so if this is a problem for you, ask your doctor about switching up. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is used for the treatment of neuropathic pain—pain after a shingles outb Continue reading >>
Important Information About The Side Effects Of
JANUMET What is the most important information I should know about JANUMET? Serious side effects can happen in people taking JANUMET, including: 1. Lactic Acidosis. Metformin, one of the medicines in JANUMET, can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of an acid in the blood) that can cause death. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency and must be treated in the hospital. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, which could be signs of lactic acidosis: you feel cold in your hands or feet you feel dizzy or lightheaded you have a slow or irregular heartbeat you feel very weak or tired you have unusual (not normal) muscle pain you have trouble breathing you feel sleepy or drowsy you have stomach pains, nausea or vomiting Most people who have had lactic acidosis with metformin have other things that, combined with the metformin, led to the lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following, because you have a higher chance for getting lactic acidosis with JANUMET if you: have severe kidney problems or your kidneys are affected by certain x-ray tests that use injectable dye have liver problems drink alcohol very often, or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term "binge" drinking get dehydrated (lose a large amount of body fluids). This can happen if you are sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dehydration can also happen when you sweat a lot with activity or exercise and do not drink enough fluids have surgery have a heart attack, severe infection, or stroke The best way to keep from having a problem with lactic acidosis from metformin is to tell your doctor if you have any of the problems in the list above. Your doctor may decide to stop your JANUMET for a while if you have any of these things. 2. Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetics Metformin: Friend Or Foe?
Dr. Heather Rooks, DC There are over 25 million Americans who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. For this growing sub-population of people most if not all of them have been prescribed the most popular oral medication called Metformin. Metformin is now believed to be the most widely prescribed “anti diabetic drug” in the world. In the U.S. alone, more that 48 million prescriptions were filled in 2010. In 2009 Metformin sales alone “raked in” $52 million in sales for drug companies. One of the issues that has long shocked, saddened and at times infuriated me is that many diabetics are not aware of the potential negative side-effects of their prescribed drugs. In addition, many diabetics are not even aware that their prescribed drugs can be very dangerous. Yet many diabetics are often plagued with a “laundry list” of negative symptoms that upon close inspection are often the same symptoms listed as possible side-effects by the manufacturer of the drug. As an example let us investigate METFORMIN. Here is a list of the most common potential adverse effects associated with Metformin. 1. Gastrointestinal upset 2. Diarrhea 3. Stomach Cramps 4. Nausea 5. Vomiting 6. Increased Flatulence 7. Lactic Acidosis (especiall with liver and kidney dysfunction) 8. Increases TSH in patients with Hypothyroidism (worsening the condition) 9. Decreases testosterone in men 10. **Increases Homocysteine levels 11. Vitamin B12 deficiency You see, I have been supporting and showing many diabetics over my professional career how to reverse diabetes and here is a general list of symptoms they suffer with and have reported to me over the years. Metformin can be associated with the following symptoms: Cold-like symptoms, Headache, Indigestion, Gas and bloating, Weight Gain, Allergic r Continue reading >>
Common Diabetes Foot Problems And How To Prevent Them
Foot problems in diabetes can be caused by damage to both large and small blood vessels, which is much more common in diabetes. Foot problems, including nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy, usually begin with vascular disease. Damage to small blood vessels, in particular, appears to be the major cause of nerve damage that results in loss of feeling, or worse pain and burning sensations that bother the feel and legs. Once nerve damage progresses, it triggers loss of motor control and the abnormal gait that results in ulcers and amputations. Preventing foot problems in diabetes begins by preventing the loss of circulation that will result in serious nerve damage. This is relatively easy today if the risks for circulatory problems are recognized early. Keeping the blood pressure below 130/80 is essential for reducing damage to blood vessel walls. Preventing placque formation is also critical. This is done with medications the lower triglycerides and raise HDL, such as gemfibrozil and niacin, and those that lower LDL and make it lighter, such as the statins. Blood vessels walls can also be protected with certain blood pressure meds called ACE inhibitors. Blood flow may be improved with high dose vitamin E, although 1200 mg to 1500 mg a day are usually required for this effect. absence of foot pulses a pale color of the foot when it is raised feet that feel cold pain at rest pain at night relieved by hanging the feet over the side of the bed thin appearing skin loss hair from the toes and feet shiny skin a blue color of the toes reddish color of the feet ulcers that don't heal a foot infection that is hard to heal Although amputations are 15 times as common with diabetes, about half can be prevented with simple steps that protect the feet: Unfortunately, about 60 to 70 per Continue reading >>
Your Fluid Retention And Pcos
Is Fluid Retention Related to PCOS? Fluid retention, bloating, and water retention are three terms for the same condition – excess fluids accumulating in your body’s cavities. Women with PCOS often report this troubling symptom. Imbalanced hormones, especially estrogen, might be affecting your body’s normalizing mechanisms, or it could be a side effect of birth control pills, which is one of the more common PCOS drugs. If you’re struggling with fluid retention and PCOS, you should know you’re not alone. A healthy lifestyle, including a low carbohydrate diet, regular physical activity, and nutritional supplements, can help restore your body’s natural balance and begin to alleviate your symptoms like PCOS weight gain and water retention. Causes Causes of PCOS and Water Retention Women who suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also called PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disorder), suffer through a long list of symptoms on a regular basis. But is fluid retention one of them? Upon initial research, it is difficult to find a link between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and fluid retention, but for some women there is an indirect connection between their condition and the excess weight they seem to carry. What is Fluid Retention? Also known as water weight or edema, fluid retention occurs when liquids pool within your body’s tissues, which creates a bloated feeling. Depending on the reason for the retention of the fluid, you might experience:1 Shortness of breath, due to the collection of fluid within the chest. Swelling of the skin, which may look puffy. Additionally, depending on the amount of fluid, the skin may appear shiny. Enlargement of the abdomen (edema, or fluid retention, in the abdomen is also called ascites). Furthermore, edema typically occurs Continue reading >>
Diabetes Basics
Basics of diabetes Diabetes is a condition caused by lack of a chemical in the body (a hormone) called insulin. There are two major forms of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes eventually no insulin is produced and individuals require insulin injections for survival. It used to be thought this only presented in children, but it is now clear this can occur at any age. The other more common form of diabetes called type 2 diabetes occurs due to the body's resistance to the effects of insulin in addition to an insufficient quantity of insulin. However, in this type of diabetes there is usually some insulin produced. For both types of diabetes, blood glucose levels are elevated. Furthermore, people with diabetes are prone to certain complications not seen in those without diabetes. These complications involve the eye (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy) and nerves (neuropathy). People with diabetes also get early hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), leading to early heart attacks and strokes. The good news for people with diabetes is that with proper care all of these problems can be avoided. Immediate medical attention Uncontrolled diabetes presents with frequent thirst and urination. Over time, patients will become dehydrated as the glucose is "spilling" over into the urine. If insulin deficiency is severe enough, fat stores are used for energy as glucose cannot get into cells. This problem is much more common with type 1 diabetes and is called "ketoacidosis". It can be diagnosed at home with a simple urine test. When significant ketones are found in the urine, it is important to be in touch with a physician immediately. There are other conditions that require immediate attention. Blurry vision in someone with known diabetic eye disease or someone with a long history of di Continue reading >>
Metformin Side Effects And How To Deal With Them
Metformin side effects include diabetic neuropathy, brain fog, and digestive issues. You can address them through diet, Vitamin B12, CoQ10, and exercise. Let us understand the drug Metformin in detail and study different forms of metformin, its uses and common metformin side effects along with how to deal with them. Metformin: What Is It Used For? Metformin is an old warhorse in the pharma battle against diabetes. It has been the mainstay in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes for more than fifty years, often matching or outperforming newer drugs. In fact, many new combination drugs are often created with metformin as one of the main ingredients. Thanks to its long run in the pharmaceutical world, the side effects of Metformin are also well known. The Metformin-PCOS connection has been studied extensively since a majority of health complications associated with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) are due to hyperinsulinemia (high amounts of insulin in the blood stream). Metformin is known to reduce circulating insulin levels. The use of this drug in women with PCOS has shown highly encouraging results. RELATED: 10 Easy Breakfast Ideas For Diabetics Most Prescribed Names in Metformin Category Include: Fortamet: It is an extended-release formulation that contains metformin hydrochloride. The tablets are designed for once-a-day administration. They deliver either 500 mg or 1000 mg of metformin. The tablet is made using a patented technology called SCOTTM that delivers the active compound slowly and at a constant rate. Glucophage: Glucophage tablets contain metformin hydrochoride. They contain either 500 mg, 850 mg or 1000 mg of the active compound. Glucophage tablets do not contain any special covering and need to be taken multiple times a day until the prescribed dosage is me Continue reading >>
Diabetic Medications That Cause Leg Swelling
Many different types of oral medications help treat type II diabetes, and some may produce side effects such as swelling. If your legs swell when you take diabetes medications, call your doctor. He may need to change medicines. The only medication for people with type I diabetes is insulin, which does not produce swelling. Video of the Day Rosiglitazone may cause swelling in your body, as well as weight gain, according to Drugs.com. Before starting this diabetic medication, inform your doctor if you have a history of heart problems. Drugs.com says that rosiglitazone may raise the level of risk of heart attacks. For this reason, your doctor only should prescribe it if other diabetic drugs do not work for you. Metformin, often the first medication your doctor will prescribe for Type II diabetes, helps to control glucose levels by restricting how much sugar your body absorbs. It also helps your liver and cells to become more sensitive to the insulin your pancreas secretes so your body can use glucose more effectively. Metformin may cause swelling in your body, including your legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Metformin and Pioglitazone Combination Your physician may prescribe a drug for your Type II diabetes that contains a combination of metformin and pioglitazone that may produce swelling in your legs, according to the Mayo Clinics. Pioglitazone works by making the appropriate parts of your body -- such as the muscle cells, fat cells and liver -- use insulin more effectively. Together, these two medications in one pill may cause swelling in your body and weight gain, according to Drugs.com. If swelling occurs, it may reduce the circulation of blood in your body, so your doctor may need to switch medications. Talk with your doctor if you have a history of heart or kidney Continue reading >>
Itchy Feet And Diabetes
Itchy feet and Diabetes often accompany one another. Even though there are plenty of other symptoms that disturb a diabetic, many people will tell you that the itchy feet — particularly at night — are simply intolerable! According to Diabetes.org, as many as 33 percent of diabetics suffer from a skin disorder. What Skin Conditions Cause Itchy Feet In Diabetics? If your feet are itching to high heaven, you may be suffering from one of the following conditions… Bacterial Infections – Usually a bacterial infection of the foot will be evidenced by liquid-filled boils. Inflamed tissue is red, hot, swollen and sometimes itchy. It is especially important that people do their best to avoid a diabetes foot infection, as unchecked infections can lead to amputations. Fungal Infections – Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot usually starts with an intensely itchy red rash between the toes. Germs can enter cracks in the skin and cause a more widespread infection. Toenail fungus is also common in diabetics, which can be identified by a thickening and yellowing of the nail that results in crumbly edges. Yeast Infections – A common side effect of a yeast infection can be itchy skin — not just in the genital region, but also on the hands, feet, ears and scalp — where candida tends to accumulate. Doctors prescribe antibiotics for this. Peripheral Neuropathy – One of the most common causes of itchy feet for people with diabetes is a dysfunction of the nerves called “peripheral neuropathy.” Numbness, tremors, tingling, pain, pins-and-needles, itching — these are all words used to describe what diabetics face. Some people are prescribed drugs like morphine or oxycodone to deal with these symptoms. Liver Failure – According to Livestrong, “Liver diseases with bi Continue reading >>
Glyburide
Overview DiaBeta is used together with diet and exercise to control non-insulin-dependent, or Type II, diabetes. This condition, formerly called “adult-onset” diabetes, seems to result when the body does not respond adequately to insulin made by the pancreas. This pill seems to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin and encourages greater sensitivity to insulin in the body. Side Effects and Interactions Episodes of dangerously low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, are a hazard with DiaBeta as with any oral diabetes drug. Be alert for symptoms of fatigue, shakiness, headache, cold sweat or confusion, as they could signal this hazardous reaction. Be sure to discuss the symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia with your healthcare provider. Other possible side effects of this medication include nausea, heartburn, skin rash, changes in liver enzymes, susceptibility to sunburn, ringing in the ears and blood changes. Fever, sore throat and bruising or bleeding could signal a rare but serious reaction that requires immediate attention. Report any symptoms or suspected side effects without delay. A number of compounds may interact with DiaBeta. Alcohol should be avoided if you are on this drug, as it could cause low blood sugar. Other drugs that might lead to drops in blood sugar include large doses of aspirin, the ulcer drugs Tagamet and Zantac, the cholesterol medicine Lopid and the MAO inhibitor antidepressants Marplan and Nardil. Be aware that a magnesium-based antacid like Maalox or laxative like Milk of Magnesia could boost the power of DiaBeta and lead to unexpectedly low blood sugar levels. Many blood pressure pills and heart medicines may also interact with DiaBeta. Of special concern are the beta blockers such as Corgard, Inderal LA or Tenormin, because they may ma Continue reading >>
Januvia (sitagliptin)
What is it used for? Januvia can be used on its own to improve blood sugar control in people whose blood sugar is not controlled by changes to their diet and exercise alone and who can't take metformin. Januvia is also used for people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not sufficiently controlled by other antidiabetic medicines. It can be added to treatment with metformin, a sulphonylurea (for example gliclazide) or another type of antidiabetic medicine known as a thiazolidinedione (for example pioglitazone or rosiglitazone). It can also be used for people who are using insulin. How does it work? Januvia tablets contain the active ingredient sitagliptin, which is a type of medicine called a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It is used to treat people with type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Sitagliptin works by increasing the amount of two incretin hormones found in the body, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). These hormones are normally produced naturally by the body in response to food intake. Their function is to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels. GLP-1 and GIP have four main actions that help to control blood glucose. Firstly, they stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin in response to increasing levels of glucose in the blood. (Insulin is the main hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It causes cells in the body to remove sugar from the blood.) GLP-1 also reduces the production of glucagon. (Glucagon is a hormone that normally increases glucose production by the liver.) GLP-1 and GIP also reduce the rate at which food passes from the stomach into the intestines, which slows down the absorption of glucose from the gut into the bloodstream. Finally, Continue reading >>
What Causes Feet Pain And Purple Blue Coloring In A Diabetic?
Hi dear readers, Today I wanted to share the history of one of my patients asking guidance over the pain and changing in color of his legs. This patient was a type 2 diabetic for long time (over 10 years) and on medications (Metformin, and insulin shots at bedtime). He was overweight with belly fat. Back Pain Relief Surgery - You Could Save Thousands Ad Act Now. IntelliSpine℠: More Precise, Faster Recovery. Medicare Not Accepted. NorthAmericanSpine.com Learn more Recently, he is experiencing pain in his feet, particularly located around the ankles. He is also noticing that his feet turn purple and sometimes get dark in color. He is telling that has performed several Doppler ultra sounds on his legs with the final result as “Normal”. I may understand that each of you has his/her own history. However, sharing and/or reading to other’s history would help you understand better your current situation and/or to take proper actions for further future steps. As the ankle of this patient has shown to be swollen, the very first thought is directed to arthritis. During the arthritis attack, patients do feel pain and swelling of the joints. At this point, it is good to do the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) testing together with measuring the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), antistreptolysin and rheumatoid factor and fibrinogen levels. All these tests are good enough to determine the presence of inflammation, its current degree and if it has to do with inflammation. Another explanation could be because of diabetes, especially when not controlled well. As it can damage the nerves, the patient might experience pain in the feet and legs. Furthermore, when the damages are so severe, it is difficult to feel pain while hurting or any injury or trauma or giving problems to Continue reading >>
