What is Metformin?
Metformin Oral medicine is a recommended medication that’s easily obtainable in the market-place under the name brand medication such as Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Foramen, and Glumetza. Glucophage is an immediate-release medication. Most of the further brands are extended-release supplements. Metformin immediate-release pills and tablets as well as extended-release pills and tablets are readily found as a generic drug. Generic drugs are usually less expensive. At times, they may not be easily obtainable in almost every strength or form just as the brand. Metformin is normally easily obtainable in an oral treatment method that’s only accessible as the brand name Riomet.
Metformin is a medication utilized to deal with type 2 diabetic issues issues as well as sometimes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Type 2 diabetes is a disease by which the body system doesn’t produce sufficient insulin, or the insulin that it creates doesn’t work efficiently. This may result in high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia). PCOS is an ailment that has an effect on the way the ovaries function.
Side Effects of Metformin (Glucophage)
Like all medicines, metformin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Metformin does have several common side effects. Like almost all medication, Metformin will affect different people in different ways.
The following types in detail explains about Metformin (Glucophage) side effects, but this does not mean that all people taking Metformin will experience any or all of the following side effects such as:
- Common side effects
- Serious side eeffects
- Short term side effects
- Long term side effects
Common Metformin (Glucophage) Side Effects:
Like all medicines, metformin can cause common side effects, although not everyone gets them. Common side effects of Metformin (Glucophage) include:
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Uneven breathing
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- Slow or fast heart beat
- Vomiting
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Skin reaction
- Taste disturbance (metallic taste)
However, these are moderate side-effects which vanish after the very first few weeks. Consuming metformin with meals will help get rid of nausea or vomiting as well as diarrhea? Skin rash had been reported hardly.
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Serious Side Effects of Metformin (Glucophage)
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10,000 people. Tell your doctor straight away if you get any such warning signs of:
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Swollen face or other body parts
- Rash, itching or hives on the skin
- Feeling of faint
- Hay fever-like symptoms.
- Shivering
Lactic acidosis is an extremely uncommon but very serious side effect which needs urgent medical advice. The threat of lactic acidosis is higher in the aged people, those whose diabetic issues is poorly regulated, those with long term fasting, those with specific heart conditions, those who drink alcohol and people who have kidney and liver disorders.
Short Term Metformin (Glucophage) Side Effects:
Almost all, these short-term side-effects are reversible: they will vanish whenever the dosage is minimized or simply whenever the medication is stopped. Remember that the beneficial (good) influence of prednisone just cannot be separated at the beginning for over a few of these side-effects.
Some short-term side effects are as follows:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Low level oh “ph” in body tissues
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent vomiting
- Upset stomach
Most of the harmful temporary side effects usually disappear rapidly once you avoid these medication, consult your doctor immediately if you suffer more from the above side effects.
Long Term Side Effects of Metformin (Glucophage)
These side effects arise when metformin continues to be reduced to a minimal dosage and only happen when metformin is used for a long period. In lots of sufferers, these types of side effects could be decreased by proper avoidance. The Metformin long term negative Side effects are:
Digestive Problems: Gastrointestinal disorders which affects the intestines and stomach are long term side effects of metformin. These includes nausea or vomiting, and loose intestinal movements or even diarrhea. These symptoms can decrease by starting with a low dosage of metformin and slowly increasing it.
Malaise: Patients who will be consuming metformin, specifically women could experience general malaise, tiredness, and body pain. Malaise can be a result of other effects of metformin on the liver, kidneys, and abdomen as well as bowel issues.
Damage in Body Organs: Long-term use of metformin may cause liver or kidney issues in few intakes, since this medication changes function of liver which is excreted by the kidneys. It is more prevalent in patients that already have problems with kidney or liver.
Malabsorption of vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 malabsorption can also occur in patients on metformin treatment. A chemical in the stomach called intrinsic factor is necessary for the body to absorb vitamin B12. Metformin may interfere with this chemical, which may cause decreased absorption of this vitamin. From the long term, this vitamin B12 deficiency may cause persistent health risks as this vitamin is important for the synthesis of DNA, red blood cell production and other biochemical functions in the human body.
See Also: Side Effects of Januvia with Metformin (Sitagliptin)
Types of Metformin mg:
Metformin comes in three strengths:
- 500 mg tablets:
- 850 mg tablets:
- 1000 mg tablets:
How does Metformin look like?
500 mg: This tablet is white in colour, film-coated, biconvex capsule shaped tablet with a break line in centre and ‘500’ embossed on the other side. They are packed in a blister pack of 100 tablets.
850 mg: This tablet is white in colour, film-coated, biconvex capsule shaped tablet plain on one side and ‘850’ embossed on the other side. They are packed in a blister pack of 60 tablets.
1000 mg: This tablet is white in colour, film-coated, biconvex capsule shaped tablet plain on one side and ‘1000’ embossed on the other side. They are packed in a blister pack of 10, 30, 60 and 90 tablets.
How Does Metformin Works?
This medication belongs from a category of medicinal drugs termed as biguanides. A category of drugs describes medicines that basically work just like this. They possess an identical chemical structure as they are effectively used to deal with similar conditions.
This drug decreases the amount of glucose produced by liver, lowering the amount of glucose in the body absorbs, and increases the effect of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that will help your body removes extra sugar from the blood. This lowers your blood sugar levels.
More Details and info on Metformin (Glucophage)
Metformin lessens your blood glucose level by improving the technique the body manages insulin. It’s usually recommended for diabetic issues while dieting and exercise alone do not have happened to be good enough to control your blood sugar levels. For most women with PCOS, metformin stimulates ovulation even though they don’t possess diabetes. It does this by reducing insulin and blood glucose levels. Metformin can be acquired on prescription as pills as well as as a liquid that you simply drink.
Metformin functions by reducing the level of sugar your liver discharges into your blood. It also helps make the entire body respond better to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the levels of glucose in your blood. It’s advisable to have metformin with a healthy meal to lessen the side-effects. The most common side-effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen pain and going off your meals. Metformin does not result in weight gain (unlike some other diabetes medications).
Metformin is suitable with an ideal diet plan and exercise regimen and most likely along with other medications to regulate high blood sugar levels. It can be used for patients with type 2 diabetes. Managing high blood sugar levels helps to prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve and skin problems, losing arms together with legs, and sexual function issues. Accurate control over diabetes can also decrease your threat of a heart attack or heart stroke. Metformin works by assisting to recover your body’s proper response to the insulin you biologically produce. This also reduces the amount of sugar that your liver produces which yourstomach/intestines absorb.
Source: AllHealthpost.com
Other Medicines Side Effects:
