You can protect your stomach from the side effects of metformin primarily by taking the medication with a meal, starting with a low dose that is gradually increased, and discussing the extended-release formula with your doctor.
Take metformin with food to reduce the chances of feeling sick. It may also help to slowly increase your dose over several weeks.
Beta-blockers: If you're taking beta-blockers such as Lopressor (metoprolol) at the same time as metformin, the beta-blockers may prevent the fast heartbeat you typically feel when your blood sugar drops too low, virtually eliminating that warning sign.
Generally, Jardiance and metformin are safe to take together. But as with most medications, they can cause their own unique side effects. Common metformin side effects include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and gas.
For many people, the worst gastrointestinal effects begin to improve after a few weeks. In the meantime, learn how to manage unpleasant metformin side effects — and know when it's time to talk to your care team about trying a different dose, formulation, or medication.
Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea tend to resolve on their own once your body gets used to taking metformin. These common side effects are also less common on lower doses and with the extended-release versions of metformin.
As with other common diabetes drugs, metformin works best if you avoid:
Metformin is usually the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes because it's effective, affordable, and well-tolerated by most people. Meanwhile, Jardiance may be a better option if you have heart failure, chronic kidney disease, or a high risk of cardiovascular complications.
Headache: Metformin works by preventing glucose production in the liver. Headaches can happen as a result of changes to the way the body metabolizes medication or because of changes to glucose levels that the body is used to. Tell your medical provider if the headaches last a long time or are more than mild.
have ever had an allergic reaction to metformin or other medicine. have uncontrolled diabetes. have liver or kidney problems. have a severe infection.
Cautions with other medicines
Metformin has a relatively short half-life in the body, meaning it needs to be taken regularly to maintain therapeutic levels ((Lee, 1996)). Taking it every other day would likely result in inconsistent blood glucose control.
Providers have frequently prescribed a sulfonylurea after metformin because such agents are low in cost, have long-term safety data, and are effective at lowering HbA1c. Sulfonylureas work by directly stimulating insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells in a glucose-independent manner.
The reason metformin causes diarrhea isn't exactly clear. But it's well-known that the immediate-release version of metformin causes diarrhea more frequently than the extended-release form. To prevent and manage diarrhea, it's recommended to take metformin with a meal.
A number of natural products, from probiotics to spices and herbs such as fennel, ginger or peppermint, may help ease gas from metformin. Sometimes even helpful medications have side effects that are difficult to tolerate.
Another possible cause of metformin diarrhea has to do with our gut biome. Metformin can alter the bacteria and viruses that naturally exist in our gut. This potentially disrupts the way our gut functions and can lead to loose and more frequent bowel movements as your body adjusts to the medication.
The current studies demonstrated that chronic metformin treatment altered brain function evidenced by the extensive behavioral test battery. Interestingly, metformin seems to have a distinctive effect on locomotor and cognitive function upon chronic treatment with a clinically relevant dose.
Metformin is a first-choice medication for managing Type 2 diabetes. But it can sometimes lower your vitamin B12 levels. You can increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet to help keep your levels up while taking metformin. But it's best to avoid taking a B12 supplement unless your prescriber recommends it.
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; dizziness; lightheadedness; fast or slow heartbeat; muscle pain; or ...
Common alternatives to metformin include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, sodium-glucose transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Less often, thiazolidinediones or sulfonylureas are used as an alternative to metformin.
Nausea and vomiting is another common metformin side effect. Heartburn can also occur. Metformin vs.
Jardiamet contains the active ingredient empagliflozin and metformin.
Key Takeaways
In general, you'll want to eat whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. These foods can promote weight loss, and sticking to them can help you avoid the types of foods that may make side effects worse.
Nausea: It typically begins in the early days of treatment but tends to ease as your body adjusts to metformin. Stomach pain or cramping: These symptoms may occur, especially if metformin is taken on an empty stomach. Gas and bloating: These are common digestive side effects but are usually mild and temporary.