Relief For Diabetes Stomach Pain
Managing diabetes often brings changes in what we eat and the medications we take. You may also notice some changes in how your gut, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, feels, sounds, and responds. Changes in eating You are likely making changes in eating habits, including more foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and beans. Fiber can be filling without adding unwanted calories, and it can help improve abnormal cholesterol levels. But there may be a few uh-ohs if you rapidly increase the amount you eat. "Gas and bloating are a side effect of fiber," says Judith Wylie-Rosett, Ed.D., R.D., professor of health promotion and nutrition research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. "Increasing your intake gradually may help." She suggests adding legumes, such as beans and lentils, to increase dietary fiber. "Throwing out the water you soak them in and giving them an extra rinse before cooking may also help decrease the gas and bloating," she says. Glucose-lowering meds Several prescription medications used to lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes can stir up your gut. Experts tend to suggest that you start with a low dose and slowly increase it based on your provider's instructions. Metformin Metformin, the typical starting medication in type 2 diabetes to bring blood glucose levels in range, can lead to heartburn, nausea, or diarrhea. Ralph DeFronzo, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the diabetes division at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, says, "I try to use metformin in all of my patients who have type 2 diabetes. When there is a problem, it is diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. There are 5-10 percent of people who just can't tolerate it." Typically, metformin is started at a low dose and increased Continue reading >>
Diabetes Drugs: Metformin
Editor’s Note: This is the second post in our miniseries about diabetes drugs. Tune in on August 21 for the next installment. Metformin (brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, Fortamet, Glumetza) is a member of a class of medicines known as biguanides. This type of medicine was first introduced into clinical practice in the 1950’s with a drug called phenformin. Unfortunately, phenformin was found to be associated with lactic acidosis, a serious and often fatal condition, and was removed from the U.S. market in 1977. This situation most likely slowed the approval of metformin, which was not used in the U.S. until 1995. (By comparison, metformin has been used in Europe since the 1960’s.) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required large safety studies of metformin, the results of which demonstrated that the development of lactic acidosis as a result of metformin therapy is very rare. (A finding that has been confirmed in many other clinical trials to date.) Of note, the FDA officer involved in removing phenformin from the market recently wrote an article highlighting the safety of metformin. Metformin works primarily by decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver. It does this by activating a protein known as AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. This protein acts much like an “energy sensor,” setting off cellular activities that result in glucose storage, enhanced entry of glucose into cells, and decreased creation of fatty acids and cholesterol. A secondary effect of the enhanced entry of glucose into cells is improved glucose uptake and increased storage of glycogen (a form of glucose) by the muscles. Additionally, the decrease in fatty acid levels brought about by metformin may indirectly improve insulin resistance and beta cell func Continue reading >>
Metformin (glucophage) Side Effects & Complications
The fascinating compound called metformin was discovered nearly a century ago. Scientists realized that it could lower blood sugar in an animal model (rabbits) as early as 1929, but it wasn’t until the late 1950s that a French researcher came up with the name Glucophage (roughly translated as glucose eater). The FDA gave metformin (Glucophage) the green light for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 1994, 36 years after it had been approved for this use in Britain. Uses of Generic Metformin: Glucophage lost its patent protection in the U.S. in 2002 and now most prescriptions are filled with generic metformin. This drug is recognized as a first line treatment to control blood sugar by improving the cells’ response to insulin and reducing the amount of sugar that the liver makes. Unlike some other oral diabetes drugs, it doesn’t lead to weight gain and may even help people get their weight under control. Starting early in 2000, sales of metformin (Glucophage) were challenged by a new class of diabetes drugs. First Avandia and then Actos challenged metformin for leadership in diabetes treatment. Avandia later lost its luster because it was linked to heart attacks and strokes. Sales of this drug are now miniscule because of tight FDA regulations. Actos is coming under increasing scrutiny as well. The drug has been banned in France and Germany because of a link to bladder cancer. The FDA has also required Actos to carry its strictest black box warning about an increased risk of congestive heart failure brought on by the drug. Newer diabetes drugs like liraglutide (Victoza), saxagliptin (Onglyza) and sitagliptin (Januvia) have become very successful. But metformin remains a mainstay of diabetes treatment. It is prescribed on its own or sometimes combined with the newer d 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 >>
Metformin - Oral, Glucophage
are allergic to dapagliflozin or any of the ingredients in FARXIGA. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include skin rash, raised red patches on your skin (hives), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working before and during your treatment with FARXIGA Dehydration (the loss of body water and salt), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at a higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure; take medicines to lower your blood pressure, including water pills (diuretics); are 65 years of age or older; are on a low salt diet, or have kidney problems Ketoacidosis occurred in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during treatment with FARXIGA. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition which may require hospitalization and may lead to death. Symptoms may include nausea, tiredness, vomiting, trouble breathing, and abdominal pain. If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking FARXIGA and call your healthcare provider right away. If possible, check for ketones in your urine or blood, even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL Kidney problems. Sudden kidney injury occurred in people taking FARXIGA. Talk to your doctor right away if you reduce the amount you eat or drink, or if you lose liquids; for example, from vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive heat exposure Serious urinary tract infections (UTI), some that lead to hospitalization, occu Continue reading >>
Side Effects
Drug information provided by: Micromedex Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: More common Abdominal or stomach discomfort cough or hoarseness decreased appetite diarrhea fast or shallow breathing fever or chills general feeling of discomfort lower back or side pain muscle pain or cramping painful or difficult urination sleepiness Less common Anxiety blurred vision chest discomfort cold sweats coma confusion cool, pale skin depression difficult or labored breathing dizziness fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse feeling of warmth headache increased hunger increased sweating nausea nervousness nightmares redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest seizures shakiness shortness of breath slurred speech tightness in the chest unusual tiredness or weakness wheezing Rare Behavior change similar to being drunk difficulty with concentrating drowsiness lack or loss of strength restless sleep unusual sleepiness Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: More common Acid or sour stomach belching bloated excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines full feeling heartburn indigestion loss of appetite metallic taste in the mouth passing of gas stomachache stom Continue reading >>
I Have Terrible Stomach Pain From Metformin.
Question Originally asked by Community Member glofancy I Have Terrible Stomach Pain From Metformin. I have diarrhea and belching stomach cramps and pain in the upper middle area. I am missing Church and work from the swelling and persistent pain and nausea. I was diagnosed a few months ago with Diabetes 2 and I am taking Metformin and Lipitor. My Dr. says I should be medicine free after I lose some more weight. I have already lost 12 pounds. Next visit he will cut dosage in half to wean me off. Am I always going to be a diabetic even if I lose weigh and not need meds anymore? My hemoglobin? was 7.2 not really sure if that is the right terminology but is has been borderline in the past few years. Thanks for helping, Gloria Answer The stomach pain from taking metformin is because our bodies need a longer time to adjust to it than we often give it, Gloria. Please read my article about that at If your A1C level was testing at 7.2, it does mean you have diabetes and nothing will cure it. But you can put it into permanent remission when you lose enough weight and eat so well that your A1C level is below 5 (and Dr. Crist recommends in the article I linked above) or at least below 5.6 as I wrote in another article, which is about remission versus a cure. This article of mine is at and it links a study that says “complete remission” is an A1C level of 5.6 or below without any diabetes drugs. That study is at Best regards and please keep reading my articles, David You should know Answers to your question are meant to provide general health information but should not replace medical advice you receive from a doctor. No answers should be viewed as a diagnosis or recommended treatment for a condition. Continue reading >>
Metformin/having Stomach Pain
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please,join our community todayto contribute and support the site. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. I think I need to get in to see my doc today. Having pretty nasty stomach pain. I've been on metformin for almost two months now and my numbers have been great but something is definitely wrong. I don't think it's acidosis but can't rule that out either and know that is serious. Still I hate to think he might take me off the Glucophage as it's been really working for me. Wonder if something else could be causing this stomach pain? Brother this is not fun. P.S. I'm not messing around. Will go into Urgi-Care shortly Usually after a month or so, the side effects of Metformin subside. How are you taking the Metformin........with meals? I found I didn't have the stomach upset when I took it about 15 minutes prior to eating. I'd give the doctor a call. Maybe it's not the Metformin but something else. You should be checked out. I've been on it almost two months. I do take it with meals...lunch and dinner. I've lost weight, brought my BG way down etc and was very happy with how it was going. I'll leave here in about 1/2 hour to go to the urgi care facility as my doc is not in on Fridays. Crossing fingers it's nothing but maybe a bug, but I'm very sensitive to meds and have a feeling it is the metformin. P.S. Karen thanks for the reply and concern. Consider the cinnamon. Cinnamon can cause stomach pain. and can be very irritating if you already have any kind of injury to the stomach lining. If you think it is the metformin troubling you, I'd suggest backing off of the cinnamon until the metformin troubles resolve. For metformin gastro troubles, try Pepcid or Tagamet. Did you start all your medicines a Continue reading >>
Is Metformin An Effective Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes?
If your doctor has prescribed Metformin for diabetes or another use, what exactly is this medication and how does it work? What is the best way to take it to reduce side effects? What adverse effects might you experience and why is it important to be aware of these? Overview According to the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care, Metformin, if tolerated, is the preferred initial oral diabetes medication for Type 2 diabetes because it is the most effective. . The problem is that they are either not making enough insulin or the insulin they do make isn't being used efficiently. Metformin is a weight neutral medication that helps the body use insulin. Weight neutral means that it is not associated with weight gain (or loss) as are many other diabetes medications. Like all medicines, however, Metformin can produce some side effects, some of which it is important to know. How It Works , which are derived from the French lilac. Metformin helps to lower blood sugar by utilizing insulin and reducing insulin resistance (making your body more sensitive to insulin.) Many people with Type 2 diabetes carry excess weight—fat cells prevent insulin from doing its job, ultimately causing the cells to become resistant to insulin. When cells become resistant to insulin, insulin is unable to direct sugar from the bloodstream to the cells to use for energy, and instead, the sugar remains in the blood. As a result, the liver responds by making more sugar because it thinks the body needs it for fuel and the pancreas responds by making more insulin. You wind up with chaos—high blood sugars and high insulin levels. Metformin helps to restore normalcy by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the production of sugar made by the liver. Other Uses In addition to being used for d Continue reading >>
Coping With The Side Effects Of Metformin
Metformin is prescribed for some people with diabetes to help keep their blood sugar levels under control. Metformin works by encouraging the body to burn energy, leading to lower blood glucose levels. If you take metformin it is usually more effective at lowering blood glucose levels than if you are just careful about what you eat. Nausea Metformin has a number of side effects, the most common of which are gastrointestinal. More than one in 10 people who take metformin experience side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, increased flatulence or loss of appetite. More than one in 100 patients who take the medication experience changes to their sense of taste - usually a metallic taste. A number of other very rare symptoms have also been reported. Fewer than one in 10,000 people who take metformin may experience: What to do about side effects All medications take some getting used to. The NHS advises that patients can avoid the more common gastrointestinal side effects by taking the medication during or after a meal. In order to guard against vitamin B12 deficiency - which in rare cases becomes apparent in patients who have taken the medication for a long time - the charity Diabetes UK recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet including foods rich in vitamin B12 such as meat, dairy products and eggs. However, it is not recommended for those prescribed metformin to also take vitamin B12 supplements unless advised to by their doctor. Patients who feel unwell or who are concerned about a side effect should talk to their GP, pharmacist or practice nurse. Immediate medical attention should be sought in cases of breathing difficulties, muscle cramps, stomach pain, weakness or hypothermia, which can be symptoms of lactic acidosis. Continue reading >>
Stomach Pain Effect Of Metformin
I occasionally had calf cramps that I did not associate with metformin. Yesterday, the muscles hardened in calves and thighs, the pain lasted 2 days. A muscle group in the left calf is still hard and cramps for a few minutes when getting up. My neck muscles are still hurting. I puked in pain and I was so dizzy that I fell over. I could barely breathe I also had unbearable stomach ache and my kidney area hurt a lot, also laterally in the back I was in pain and hardly got any air. I also did not see properly and had difficulty swallowing. I was so exhausted that I did not want to live anymore My endocrinologist prescribed metformin for insulin resistance. The first 2 days I had about 2 hours after taking to fight with latent nausea. The first 4 weeks when creeping in and then another 2 weeks after a dose increase, I had a bloating stomach. So far I did not know that, reminded me very much of a symptom of pancreatitis. I felt limp, had a sore stomach and was exhausted after the slightest stress (climbing stairs, shopping). After about 5-6 weeks my liver values (g-GT), which are already increased from 193 (norm 6-42) to 232, after 6 more weeks the g-GT was at 497! That was when my doctor and I unanimously decided to drop off Metformin again. As a side effect, we hoped that I would lose some weight, but unfortunately this has not been confirmed, on the contrary, I got after about 8 weeks more bingeing (I have an eating disorder) than before, so that 7 kg, which I had painstakingly removed had again been very fast on it. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to try, because there are many who have made good experiences with it. Metformin for Cholesterol value increase ; High blood pressure ; Diabetes mellitus type i Before taking without diagnosis of diabetes: tiredness, consta Continue reading >>
Metformin Induced Acute Pancreatitis
Go to: Case Report Nineteen year-old-man, known case of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus for 4 y on 1 g metformin twice daily since diagnosis of his diabetes. He was in his usual state of health till he presented to the emergency department reporting nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain for 3 d. On physical examination, his height was 170 cm and body weight 99 kg; body mass index (BMI) 34.3 kg/m2, looked mildly dehydrated. Vitals signs were stable. Systemic examination was unremarkable, apart from mild epigastric tenderness. Laboratory investigations showed HbA1c 7.7%, Creatinine 58 µmol/L, Amylase 462 units/l (normal range < 100), Lipase 1378 units/l (0–60), white blood cells 16.8/mm3 (4–11) 80% of which was neutrophils, CRP 258 mg/l (0–5), Mg 0.76 mmol/l (0.7–1.05), Ca 2.17 mmol/l (2.2–2.6), AST 18 units/l (< 39), ALT 34 units/l (< 41), TG 0.95 mmol/l (< 2.3), Lactate 1.4 mmol/l (0.5–1.6). Abdominal Ultrasound and ERCP were done for the patient, results showed no gallstones and clear biliary tract, respectively. CT confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, with no identifiable cause. The patient was admitted to ICU for close monitoring and further investigation. Normalization of Amylase and Lipase was reached after Metformin cessation, and Supportive treatment in the form of IV insulin and IV fluids. Other potential causes of pancreatitis were excluded. Patient was discharged home in stable condition after 2 weeks. Few days later, after re-exposure to Metformin, he presented with recurrence of his previous symptoms, and elevation of Amylase and Lipase was documented. As a result, Metformin was suspended with improvement of his symptoms and biochemical profile. Continue reading >>
Surviving Metformin
What was your first week on Metformin like? Horrendous? Terrible? Filled with waves of nausea? The sickest you’ve felt in your life? Let’s reminisce for a minute: About a dozen years ago, on December 24, I went to the doctor for a routine physical. Are you envious of my holiday plans? This was in the years before Pinterest, so I was carrying on with regular life activities on Christmas Eve morn rather than bedazzling the cap of an Elf on the Shelf. Anyway, at the Christmas Eve check-up, my physician mentioned that he had read promising things about Metformin being used in women with PCOS. We chatted about Metformin for a bit, talked about other PCOS things, finished up the tests, and then I headed to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription. We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of ham, funeral potatoes, salad with asparagus and strawberries; rolls, and other delicious items. Breaking with tradition, this year’s Christmas Eve dinner was followed by Metformin for me. After dinner, we read the Christmas story from the Bible, watched a short film depicting the events in Luke 2, read a new Christmas book, and headed off to bed. That’s when the fun began. In sum: Worst Christmas Ever. Pros: Family, friends, gifts, good music, good food. Cons: Visiting the loo every 15 minutes, constant nausea, wanting to curl up in bed and not wake up for days. Public Service Announcement: Do not start Metformin for the first time on the day prior to a major holiday. My first year on Metformin was pretty rough. I felt like I had morning sickness every single day. I had diarrhea and nausea every morning. When I skipped a few doses hoping for relief, my symptoms would be twice as bad when I re-started. Looking back, I’m actually amazed that I kept taking the medication. If I st Continue reading >>
10 Facts About Metformin And Pcos
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively common hormonal disorder that is one of the leading causes of infertility. Some women who have PCOS develop insulin resistance. This occurs when the cells of the body don’t respond well to a hormone known as insulin. Insulin allows the cells to take sugar (glucose) from the blood. If the cells don’t take in this sugar it leads to higher levels of glucose and insulin circulating through the body in the bloodstream. This, in turn, leads to increased levels of androgens (male hormones) which cause the classic symptoms of PCOS such as excess hair growth and more importantly in terms of fertility – lack of ovulation. Getting pregnant with PCOS can be possible with the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Here are the Top 10 facts about metformin use in PCOS patients: 1) Metformin is a medication that is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is marketed in the US under the names Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza and Riomet. It is available as a tablet, extended-release tablet and a liquid. 2) With infertility patients, it is used not because the women with PCOS have diabetes (although they do have an increased risk of developing this disease), but because it acts on improving use of insulin by the cells of the body and therefore reducing the level of insulin in the blood. This can lead to improved ovulation, more regular menstrual cycles as well as a reduction in excessive hair growth, acne and weight gain. It may also slow down or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes later in life. 3) To determine if it would be helpful for a patient with PCOS to use Metformin, they are given a 2 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test. First, a fasting blood sample is drawn to determine a baseline glucose level. The patient t Continue reading >>
Metaglip Side Effects Center
Metaglip (glipizide and metformin HCl) is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. Metaglip is not for treating type 1 diabetes. The brand name Metaglip is discontinued, but generic versions may be available. Common side effects of Metaglip (glipizide and metformin HCl) include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, joint or muscle aches pain, headache, dizziness, or cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat). Dosage of Metaglip is individualized on the basis of both effectiveness and tolerance while not exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of 20 mg glipizide/2000 mg metformin. Metaglip may interact with furosemide, nifedipine, cimetidine, ranitidine, amiloride, triamterene, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, trimethoprim, vancomycin, or ketoconazole, or itraconazole. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may result if you take Metaglip with isoniazid, diuretics, steroids, heart or blood pressure medications, niacin, phenothiazines, thyroid medicines, birth control pills and other hormones, seizure medicines, and diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may result if you take Metaglip with exenatide, probenecid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, sulfa drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), beta-blockers, or other diabetes medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Metaglip should be used only when prescribed. Insulin treatment may be preferred during pregnancy. If you are using this drug during your pregnancy, your doctor may switch you to insulin at least 1 month before the expected delivery date because of Metaglip Continue reading >>
