F A C T S H E E T F O R P A T I E N T S A N D F A M I L I E S
Diabetes Medications: What is metformin? Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Metformin is taken by mouth (orally) as a pill. Like other diabetes medications, it works best when you follow the rest of your treatment plan. This means checking your blood glucose regularly, following your meal plan, and exercising every day. What does it do? Metformin helps lower your blood glucose (blood sugar). It does this in two ways: • Decrease the amount of glucose released by your liver. Less glucose enters into your bloodstream. • Increase the ability of your muscles to use glucose for energy. As more glucose is used, more glucose leaves your bloodstream. Why is metformin important for my health? Metformin can’t cure your diabetes. But by helping control your blood glucose, it lowers the chance that your diabetes will cause serious problems. As you know, when you have diabetes, you tend to have high blood glucose. Over time, this can damage your blood vessels and nerves, leading to heart attack or stroke, kidney and eye disease, and problems with your teeth, feet, and skin. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol — like many people with diabetes — you have an even greater risk for these problems. (This is why you should always take your blood pressure or cholesterol medications as well as your diabetes medications.) Metformin is the generic name of this medication. Brand names are Glucophage and Glucophage XR. Like other diabetes medications, biguanides work best when you follow the rest of your diabetes treatment plan. Does metformin cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)? Metformin doesn’t cause hypoglycemia by itself. But combined with other medications, vigorous exercise, or too little food, it ca Continue reading >>
Can Metformin Be Crushed
Hi there, and welcome to the Urch forums. You're free to browse around our forum; almost all of our content is available to read, even if you're not a member. However, to download anything, send personal messages, ask a question, etc., you'll need to create an account . Don't worry, it's fast and easy, and we won't spam you. To get started, why not ask a question? Just go to the forum you want to make a post in, and then click on the button that says "Post New Thread". (At our forum and other forums, too, questions, conversations, discussions, etc., are called "threads". Yes, that can be a bit confusing.) Or you might want to read our most popular forums: the admissions results forum , the GMAT forum , the GRE forum and our beloved Economics forum . I have a question. Can Metformin be crused? I have come across with a real case where the patient found Metformin 1000mg XR in the stools with out getting dissolved completely. Is it possible? XR/ER/CR formulations CANNOT be crushed .... period . The whole point of the release technology is lost ,except in special cases like metoprolol succinate where it can be broken along the split line to take half the dose .In the case above, we need to find out how he is administering his medication and what is his other disease states..He should be advised to drink water with the med , to aid in dissolution.Also find out if he suffering from any GI disease, cos the tablet needs gastric secretions for the initial phase of dissolution and normal GI peristalsis for the tablet to be broken down later and excreted in feces as a soft mass. Last edited by sonuritu; 03-26-2010 at 06:29 PM. Universal law.. of breaking & crushing... If drug brand names have XR, CR, SR, DR like suffix (special ends with "R"), then that drug cannot be crushed... Continue reading >>
Medicine Information - Kaiser Permanente
Brand name(s): Fortamet, Glucophage XR, Glumetza Rarely, too much metformin can build up in the body and cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is more likely if you are an older adult, if you have kidney or liver disease, dehydration, heart failure, heavy alcohol use, if you have surgery, if you have X-ray or scanning procedures that use iodinated contrast, or if you are using certain drugs. For some conditions, your doctor may tell you to stop taking this medication for a short time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Stop taking this medication and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as unusual tiredness, dizziness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, or stomach pain with nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. Metformin is used with a proper diet and exercise program and possibly with other medications to control high blood sugar. It is used in patients with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Metformin works by helping to restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce. It also decreases the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb. This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.Metformin may be used with lifest Continue reading >>
How Should I Take Metformin?
You should always follow your doctor’s specific instructions for taking any medication, including metformin. But there are some general rules that will probably apply to you: If you don’t notice a change in your blood glucose right away, don’t stop taking your metformin. It takes about three to four weeks for metformin to reach its full effect. If your symptoms go away or you decide you feel fine now, don’t stop taking metformin. You need this medication to stay well. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s already time for your next dose, just take the usual amount. Do not double your dose. If you take extended-release metformin (Glucophage XR), be sure to swallow the pill whole. Don’t chew, crush or split the pill. If you don’t follow your meal plan -- you overeat, skip a meal or make a poor food choice -- don’t adjust your metformin dose. If you’re sick, most of the time, you should keep taking metformin as prescribed. However, if you’re throwing up or dehydrated, stop taking your metformin. Call your doctor for additional instructions. If you’re scheduled for a medical procedure, make sure that the doctor and nurses know that you take metformin. You might need to stop taking it for a short time if you have to fast beforehand or if you’re having a surgery or x-ray that uses contrast dye. Ask for instructions. Metformin (prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes) should be taken with meals. If you eat less than usual or start to exercise more, tell your doctor, as this can affect your blood sugar and your dosage may need adjusting. Limit or stop your alcohol intake if you are taking metformin. Certain drugs and supplements may interact with metformin, so make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you take. Continue reading >>
Problem Taking Metformin Tablets
OK not sure what I did wrong. I wrote my reasons for joining the forrum amd it told me I had not filled in the details so I entered 'problem taking tablets' and this isall it sent. So I will write again my question. I am 29 and 2 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS about a year later they put me on Metformin, 2 tabletsin the morning 2 in the evening. Problem is that when I was young I had an issue with a tablet that has 'mentally scared me' as they say, and since then I can only do small tablets and mostly with shiny coatings on but not the size of the metformin ones. I have spoken to my GP and be sugested crushing and putting them in things like moose, jam etc. However my brain still says this is a tablet. Insidentally I also wanted to know the validity of crushing the tablets as the web seems to say no? I found out later that there is a liquid form of metformin (by all acounts it seems it tastes terible) but my GP wont prescribe it as it is so expensive and I dont have a swallowing issue as I can eat food with no problem. I am getting depressed by all this and have sort of given up on being able to solve this. Today I decided no there must be more help out there so I am asking. Has anyone else suffered from this? what have others done? If I go on a serious weight loss does this remove the need for metformin or do I need the tablets to fixthis condition? Have others got the liquid? do they do patches etc. Continue reading >>
Can Metformin Be Crushed To Making Taking Easier?
Can Metformin be crushed to making taking easier? If this is your first visit, be sure tocheck out the FAQ by clicking thelink above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Can Metformin be crushed to making taking easier? I know this is probably a silly question coming from a big old lady such as myself but I've been having alot of problems taking these darn pills because of the yucky taste. I'm taking the generic pills and they taste absolutely awful. I always get a little of the bitter after-taste at the back of my tongue, no matter how quickly I take it. And now it's gotten to the point where my gag reflex gets activated just thinking of taking it. As a result I haven't taken them for the past 2 weeks! The side-effects I can handle but the taste has really gotten to me. Anyway the moral of my story is does anyone know if crushing the met and taking it with yogurt or something will diminish it's effectiveness? Me: 35(PCOS) Hidden Content DH: 35(perfect) Meds: Met 1000mg, Baby Aspirin, Folic Acid, Femara 7.5mg Baby Boy no.1 BFP @ 9dpo!! Born Jul-13. Chemical pregnancy - Sep-15. Baby no.2 [emailprotected] ! due Dec-16 Hidden Content Man I have the same problem, my pills smells like old nasty fish and I cant even eat seafood! Everytime I try to get back on it, I want to throw up and just cannot do it... I did buy a pill spliter and that kind of helped but like you said, the taste is AWFUL. I decided to go the natural way and just work out and diet, but I know I need to start taking this medicine since I am still having problems. Good Luck and hopefully someone has a clever idea Start weight: 187 lbs / Current weight: 140 lbs/ Curr Continue reading >>
Metformin
Metformin may rarely cause a serious, life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take metformin. Also, tell your doctor if you are over 65 years old and if you have ever had a heart attack; stroke; diabetic ketoacidosis (blood sugar that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment); a coma; or heart or liver disease. Taking certain other medications with metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you are taking acetazolamide (Diamox), dichlorphenamide (Keveyis), methazolamide, topiramate (Topamax, in Qsymia), or zonisamide (Zonegran). Tell your doctor if you have recently had any of the following conditions, or if you develop them during treatment: serious infection; severe diarrhea, vomiting, or fever; or if you drink much less fluid than usual for any reason. You may have to stop taking metformin until you recover. If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or any major medical procedure, tell the doctor that you are taking metformin. Also, tell your doctor if you plan to have any x-ray procedure in which dye is injected, especially if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol or have or have had liver disease or heart failure. You may need to stop taking metformin before the procedure and wait 48 hours to restart treatment. Your doctor will tell you exactly when you should stop taking metformin and when you should start taking it again. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking metformin and call your doctor immediately: extreme tiredness, weakness, or discomfort; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; decreased appetite; deep and rapid breathing or shortness of breath; dizzi Continue reading >>
Riomet Drug And Medication User Reviews On Rxlist
See All User Reviews on WebMD and Submit Your Own Review Comment from: 25-34 on Treatment for 1-6 months (Patient) Published: October 08 this medication has been wonderful for me. i had a very hard time swallowing the pills for my diabetes, and my doctor prescribed this. once my body became use to the riomet, i have had no issues with the side effects at all Comment from: 55-64 on Treatment for 6 months - 1 year (Patient) Published: October 22 I read today of possible side effects that I may have or had, but didn't realize they were side effects. Also, as of today, I cannot even get this liquid form of Metformin due to "production problems" per manufacturer. I cannot swallow the big pills and the liquid was a god-send. Now- not available til maybe June! Comment from: Dede, 65-74 on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient) Published: August 11 I took the generic form TEVA of metformin HCL for one month. After a week I (and the rest of my family) noticed a change in my personality. It was like PMS only 100% times worse. I am a 65 year old female and have been over menopause for years. I have never taken any HRT. After three weeks a I discontinued metformin and within a day or two was back to my old self. I was told by a friend this medicine is also used by some doctors for infertility problems. What in the world is in this drug? It should be taken off the market. The "rages" I experienced were almost to the point of being dangerous to my self as well as to my family. This is a serious side effect. Related Reading: metformin | menopause | infertility Comment from: betjea, 45-54 on Treatment for 6 months - 1 year (Patient) Published: May 17 I have a hard time swallowing pills and since Metformin can't be crushed I asked for an alternative. This is great. If I take it with Continue reading >>
Can You Cut Or Split Metformin (immediate Release) In Half?
Can You Cut Or Split Metformin (Immediate Release) In Half? Can You Cut Or Split Metformin (Immediate Release) In Half? Can You Cut Or Split Metformin (Immediate Release) In Half? In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not metformin (immediate release) can be cut in half. Can Metformin 500mg immediate release pills be cut in half? This is not the extended release pill. Yes, the immediate release metformin 500mg (and other strengths) can be cut in half without negatively affecting the medication. Cutting medications is often necessary for patients who have difficulty swallowing large tablets or need to take 'half' doses. If this is necessary, it is certainly OK and safe to cut your metformin tablets. Most manufactures of metformin tablets do not make the tablet with a 'score' mark (indentation in the middle of the tablet) unfortunately, making it sometimes difficult to successfully cut precisely in half. Due to this, a pill cutter is recommended versus using a knife as designed pill cutters will provide the cleanest cut. It is important that you take both halves of the medication as soon as possible and not store cut tablets for extended periods of time. Although metformin can be cut as mentioned above, split tablets no longer have a protective outer coating that most intact tablets have. This could make them more susceptible to moisture. Be sure to use split tablets as soon as you can and store the unused half in a moisture resistant container. Metformin 500 mg is produced by a variety of manufactures including: Continue reading >>
"metformin/glucophage Hard To Swallow And Causes Diarrhea": Diabetes Community - Support Group
My doctor said never to crush a time release pill. Plus you should not try to swallow large pills which are a tight fit in your throat. He said the pill can lodge and cause small throat ulcers. He told me to buy a pill cutter from the pharmacist and cut the pill in half. Then swallow half at a time. I don't take oral D-meds, I HATE HORSEpills, like fishy oil. I have MS so I have problems with swallowing once in a while, even food. HEAT can cause urine output to drop. MY neph dismissed my low 30s eGFR a couple years ago to just being heat related, ie SWEAT. I never sweat much. If I drink too much water my ankles swell.. another balancing act. With tight BS contol I have improved my kidney function, even hit eGFR of 50! (much better than being near the 29, time to prepare for **********. I DO think it would be a good idea to touch base with your NEPH to be on the safe side. I compared my 500mg Metformin tablet to a regular 325mg aspirin. They are very close to the same size. I don't consider that a "horsepill". As long as you are not taking an extended release form of Metformin, I suppose it would be OK to crush the tablet. Or, you could wrap it in a 1.5" square piece of cheese and eat that. That is what we used to do with our animals when they needed meds. You are probably going to have to put up with the bowel problems for a few weeks or months. It's the "price of poker". In most people, it eventually goes away. We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.- Winston S. Churchill Sarah, I was just wondering if you had trouble swallowing other things, too. I know for me, I have to have my esophagus widened (had it done twice), as I would have trouble getting food down. Just two days ago, a piece o Continue reading >>
Crushing Pills?
Ok so most pills go down but some I have to take including some vitamins for another condition that are big old HORSEpills. I try cutting them in half and that was working fine until I had a fill. I got so stuck today and started pbing up the water I drank to take the pills. Does anyone have pills too large that you have to crush and if so how do you take them? I am so afraid this will happen when I get restriction..I'm anxious to hear what everyone does. I take nothing that I cannot crush or take in soluble or liquid form. I am not too tight but cannot take any tabs at all - I found this out the hard way. It is not worth the risk; too many people post to say that, like me, they were able to take tabs until, suddenly and often with no warning, they couldn't! At least one, a very experienced bandster,has ended up in ER! So far, I have been able to get almost everything in non-solid form. My vits and other supplements are all effervescent (I let them go flat before drinking) and any other meds I have needed have been supplied in liquid form. So far I have not needed anything time-release. Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165. Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE! But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again, I have to take Bupap for headaches and had one the 3rd day after my surgery. I put it in a small thank you card and took a glass and smooshed it to smitherines. Then I put it in a medicine cup and poured crystal light pink lemonaid over it - shot it and then took sips of the crystal light. I had no problems and my doc said I don't have to crush them any more. So far, I have taken Vit. C capsule and my BP med and have not had any problems. I know the pharmacy has some type of crusher they sell wh Continue reading >>
Metformin Vs Metformin Er
I'm seeing quite a few posts on BBSes from people who are having problems with metformin because of side effects that could be eliminated if they were taking the extended release form of this drug. For some reason, many family doctors don't seem to be aware that there is a ER version of this drug that has such benefits. This is probably because metformin is a cheap generic and isn't promoted by herds of beautiful ex-cheerleaders turned drug company salespushers who "educate" doctors about far more expensive--and less effective--newer drugs. Here are the facts: Metformin (also sold under the brand name Glucophage) comes in a regular version which is taken at meal time, three times a day, and an extended release form (marketed as ER or XR) which is taken once a day. Almost always, when people report diarrhea or intense heartburn with metformin, they are taking regular version. I experienced the heartburn on the regular drug. It was very disturbing because the pain was localized over my heart and felt just like the description of a heart attack you read in articles. My doctor assured me it was coming from the metformin, but that didn't make it any easier to live with because I kept wondering how, if I were having a real heart attack, I'd know it wasn't a pain from the drug? The ER version releases the drug more slowly and this usually eliminates the gastrointestinal problems. The trade off with taking the ER form is that the amount of blood sugar lowering you see might be a bit less than with the regular form as the drug acts in a slower smoother fashion rather than hitting all at once. But if you can't take the regular at all drug because of the side effects, the slight weakening in effect is a reasonable trade off. Plus, you only have to remember to take one dose rather Continue reading >>
Metformin Too Big To Swallow!
Ok so I'm a big baby when it comes to swallowing pills. My fertility specialist has put me on ovulation induction cycle, where I will need to take metformin. When I went to pick them up and saw the size I was nooooo way is that going to happen!!! I explained to the pharmacist who said she doesn't think there are any other replacements but will call the doc tomorrow morning. Has anyone had this issue as well ????? And what was the outcome???? I don't believe there's a smaller version of Metformin but you can split the tab in half if it's not the extended release version. I'm surprised the pharmacist didn't advise you to try that, of course that still makes for a pretty big pill. I've heard of a med called Actos being prescribed for the same thing and it's a smaller pill but I'd worry it might not work as well for fertility since it's not the standard but I don't know that for sure. You could also crush a regular metformin tab and eat in something like pudding, applesauce or whatever you could tolerate. But that might be such a pain in the butt you stop taking it. I was told I can't break or chew the metformin :( I wonder if they can do injections. Hoping to hear back today! There's definitely not an injection. They must have you on the extended release if they're saying you can't crush or cut it in half. Just asked to be switched to the regular kind. You can buy a pill splitter or a tool to crush it. Dear Lord you would never want to chew it!! lol Or again, you could ask about Actos since it's small and has the same effect. Ya the pharmacist said the same thing! It because they prescribed me the extended release one, but if my fertility specialist confirms I can take the reg one then I'll be good to go with breaking it :) hoping my specialist will say it's fine to use t Continue reading >>
Help! I Have To Crush The Metformin And Now...
Help! I have to crush the metformin and now... Help! I have to crush the metformin and now... Now I am scared to take it!!! It's causing great anxiety. I was about to put it in a bannana and take it and froze! I'm scared to take it and NOT to take it...I am nauseated Moderator T2 insulin resistant Using Basal/Bolus Therapy I'm sorry but I don't understand your post. You have to crush your dose of metformin - why? Is it the taking of the medication that is causing your anxiety or some other problem? If it is not Metformin ER crushing it should not affect how it works. Most medications can be crushed and given in a spoonful of something easy to swallow like applesauce. Let me clarify Nan, I'm sorry...I have been told/warned and seen quite a few people have bad reactions or ill effects with metformin, so obviously part of the anxiety comes from not wanting to deal with ill effects...crushing it has been the easiest decision thus far...I crush because for me I cannot swallow these horse pills...why a dr doesn't ask if a person can swallow pills ok.I will never know...as not everyone can. Yes@ Cathy...I was in the process of using a mashed bannana and just cant; I am going to have to speak to my dr if I can ever reach him. Doesn't taking Met with food negate some of the GI distress? Bananas are not very friendly to our b.g. , so maybe mixing with some deviled egg would work. Hope you can reach your doctor or maybe the pharmacist. A banana may not be the best thing to take it with. Have you tested your blood glucose after eating one? Bananas send my BG very high. Maybe try having it with tuna or something less carby. It sounds like you need to talk to your doctor a little more about what hes prescribing you and why, including benefits vs side effects, so that you feel more c Continue reading >>
Metformin, Oral Tablet
Metformin oral tablet is available as both a generic and brand-name drug. Brand names: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, and Glumetza. Metformin is also available as an oral solution but only in the brand-name drug Riomet. Metformin is used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. FDA warning: Lactic acidosis warning This drug has a Black Box Warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients to potentially dangerous effects. Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious side effect of this drug. In this condition, lactic acid builds up in your blood. This is a medical emergency that requires treatment in the hospital. Lactic acidosis is fatal in about half of people who develop it. You should stop taking this drug and call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you have signs of lactic acidosis. Symptoms include tiredness, weakness, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, unusual sleepiness, stomach pains, nausea (or vomiting), dizziness (or lightheadedness), and slow or irregular heart rate. Alcohol use warning: You shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels unpredictably and increase your risk of lactic acidosis. Kidney problems warning: If you have moderate to severe kidney problems, you have a higher risk of lactic acidosis. You shouldn’t take this drug. Liver problems warning: Liver disease is a risk factor for lactic acidosis. You shouldn’t take this drug if you have liver problems. Metformin oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand name drugs Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, and Glumetza. Glucophage is an immediate-release tablet. All of the other brands are extended-r Continue reading >>
