Metformin should be taken with meals to help reduce stomach or bowel side effects that may occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Swallow the tablet or extended-release tablet whole with a full glass of water.
If you take metformin without food you may end up with an upset stomach, especially if you are just starting treatment.
It's best to take metformin tablets with, or just after, your evening meal to reduce the chance of getting side effects.
Metformin does not usually cause low blood sugar. But you may get low blood sugar when you take metformin and you exercise hard, drink alcohol, or do not eat enough food. Sometimes metformin is combined with other diabetes medicine. Some of these can cause low blood sugar.
Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed. This medicine is usually taken within 15 minutes before a meal but may be taken up to 30 minutes before a meal. If you skip a meal, you should skip your dose for that meal.
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.
It should be taken no earlier than 30 minutes before meals. If a meal is skipped, skip the dose for that meal. Do not take more often than directed. Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children.
If you eat a lot of sugar while taking Metformin, your body will have to work harder to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range, and the Metformin will not be as effective for weight loss. However, if it happens infrequently, you should not suffer too many negative side effects. The key is moderation.
Simple and refined carbs: Metformin helps the body reduce blood sugar, but it doesn't work effectively if you eat a lot of foods that make blood glucose levels spike. Refined or processed carbs have little fiber and can rapidly increase blood sugar levels.
There are no foods that are off-limits with metformin. However, you should be eating a healthy diet to help control your diabetes. When you eat sugar and metformin, your body will have to work harder to lower your blood sugars.
Taking all of your medications first thing in the morning may be the easiest way to remember to take them daily, but if you take metformin on an empty stomach (or only with coffee), it may cause nausea that can last all day.
Take metformin as prescribed by your doctor. If you only take one dose, it is preferable to take it at night after your meal to decrease side effects such as nausea, bloating, or diarrhea. If you are taking 2 doses, take it after meals.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
An effective substitute for Metformin is a compound known as berberine or berberine hydrochloride, which is obtained from many plant species, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric.
How long does it take to work? Metformin does not instantly reduce blood sugar levels. The effects are usually noticeable within 48 hours of taking the medication, and the most significant effects take 4–5 days to occur. However, the timing depends on the person's dosage.
People with diabetes can eat 1-2 medium-sized bananas a day. You can also follow the given tips to minimize their effect on your blood sugar levels: Eat a smaller banana to reduce your sugar intake. Try eating less ripened bananas, so the sugar is slightly on the lower side.
Metformin will be active in your body for 4 days, but you may notice higher blood sugar levels within a day or two of a missed dose.
Generally, if you're prescribed metformin, you'll be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it.
Extended-release (ER): Take with the evening meal; if glycemic control is not achieved with ER 2000 mg once a day, may consider splitting daily dose to ER 1000 mg twice a day; if glycemic control is still not achieve, consider switch to immediate-release product.