Researchers gauged a 23% reduced risk for muscle cramps and a 29% reduced risk for leg and calf pain during walking with the addition of metformin. “Metformin appears to reduce the risk of non-severe statin muscle pain,” they reported.
Our results demonstrate that metformin treatment impairs muscle function through the regulation of myostatin in skeletal muscle cells via AMPK‐FoxO3a‐HDAC6 axis.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.
Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain. It may also be used to treat menstrual cramps and other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help alleviate mild to moderate pain. Two medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: duloxetine (Cymbalta) pregabalin (Lyrica)
Conclusions: People with diabetes taking metformin were less likely to report back, knee, neck/shoulder and multisite musculoskeletal pain than those not taking metformin. Therefore, when treating these patients, clinicians should be aware that metformin may contribute to fewer reports of musculoskeletal pain.
The administration of metformin, as glucophage retard, at bedtime instead of supper time may improve diabetes control by reducing morning hyperglycemia.
Precose, Januvia, Victoza, Glucotrol XL, and Actos are some metformin alternatives.
Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, gas, weakness, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after taking the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor right away.
Nausea and gastric distress such as stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea are somewhat common among people starting up on metformin. For some people, taking large doses of metformin right away causes gastric distress, so it's common for doctors to start small and build the dosage up over time.
How to check if metformin is working. A medical provider can run a few tests to see how metformin is affecting your health: Blood work can check if your glucose, insulin, and HbA1C levels are in range. If they are, the medication is working.
If you successfully manage your diabetes to remission, it's possible to stop taking metformin. Lifestyle and dietary changes can help you manage your blood sugar levels and possibly reach diabetes remission.
metformin can commonly reduce vitamin B12 levels in patients, which may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. the risk of low vitamin B12 levels increases with higher metformin dose, longer treatment duration, and in patients with risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Metformin increases blood flow and forearm glucose uptake in a group of non-obese type 2 diabetes patients.
Should you drink a lot of water when consuming this medicine? Metformin must be consumed with meals to assist lower stomach or bowel side effects that might happen during the initial few weeks of treatment. The tablet or extended-release tablet must be taken whole with a full glass of water.
As already discussed, metformin can result in sleep disturbance, and this might affect normal dream patterns. Nightmares are reported in patients receiving metformin.
It's best to take metformin tablets with, or just after, your evening meal to reduce the chance of getting side effects. Swallow your metformin tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew them.
Several conditions, such as kidney failure and diabetic nerve damage, are known to cause night leg cramps. But if you have one of these, you're most likely aware of it and have symptoms other than night leg cramps.
The kidneys process and clear the medication out of your system through your urine. If your kidneys don't function properly, there's concern that metformin can build up in your system and cause a condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is when there's a dangerous amount of lactic acid in the body.
Risks of stopping metformin
If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can lead to complications, such as: impaired vision, or diabetic retinopathy. kidney problems, or diabetic nephropathy. nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy.
Muscle cramping is a relatively common manifestation of DM. It can be the result of electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, peripheral vascular disease with arterial insufficiency, and/or peripheral neuropathies. The cramps tend to be more common in the lower extremities and may be seen more commonly at night.
When to seek medical advice. If you only get leg cramps occasionally, it is not a cause for concern and a medical diagnosis is not required. A visit to your GP will only be necessary if you get leg cramps frequently, or if they are so painful they disrupt your sleep and you are unable to function normally the next day.