However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving metformin.
Precautions – Older patients also are at increased risk for developing conditions other than diabetes that further reduce kidney function or cause lactic acidosis (eg, acute infections, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, heart failure). Therefore, metformin should be used with caution in older patients.
Some studies have noted less cognitive decline and a lower rate of dementia, as well as a lower rate of stroke, among people with diabetes taking metformin compared with those who were not taking it. Slow aging, prevent age-related disease, and increase lifespan.
The most common side effect of metformin is its gastrointestinal irritation, which causes flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps. These symptoms are most common when metformin is used for the first time or when the dose is high.
GLP – 1 Receptor Agonists (Bydureon, Byetta, Ozempic, Adlyxin, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza) Usage: This is another alternative to metformin. This comes in both oral and injection forms. GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe for kidney patients as it reduces risks of kidney damage and also support heart health.
Studies have noted when used in pregnancy, metformin is generally well-tolerated and side effects are uncommon. The most common side effects reported are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving metformin. This medicine is not recommended in patients 80 years of age and older who have kidney problems.
In conclusion, metformin use is associated with a reduced dementia risk. Dementia can be caused by vascular etiology or neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's disease). It is a syndrome characterized by deterioration in memory and loss of daily self-care ability.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are another option if Metformin isn't working for you. These can either be taken orally or through an injection (either once a day or once weekly). They are proven to lower blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels, as well as protect against kidney disease and heart disease as well.
Hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar, is a serious problem for older adults, and it can have severe consequences when untreated. Adults over the age of 60 should try to maintain glucose levels between 100 to 140 mg/dL.
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.
Bottom line. Metformin is a safe, effective medication to treat type 2 diabetes, but it can have other health benefits besides helping to lower blood sugar.
Metformin has been reported to regulate the expression of abnormal proteins in the brain by autophagy. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation process to recover obsolete cellular components and eliminate damaged organelles and protein aggregates.
Also, metformin is often used to treat mild diabetes, so patients taking other anti-diabetic drugs may have more severe diabetes, which may be associated with worse brain health. Additionally, long-term metformin use can decrease vitamin B12 levels, which may be a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
Studies thus far hint that metformin may slow aging processes and promote longevity. This is where the research currently stands on metformin's link to measures of aging.
Physiologically, metformin acts directly or indirectly on the liver to lower glucose production, and acts on the gut to increase glucose utilisation, increase GLP-1 and alter the microbiome.
Metformin has a black box warning for lactic acidosis — a condition where too much lactic acid builds up in the blood. It's a serious problem and can lead to death. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
Metformin attenuates osteoarthritis structural worsening and modulates pain, suggesting its potential for osteoarthritis prevention or treatment.
Official answer. Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).