Metformin for Diabetes, Type 2 User Reviews (Page 5)

• OneSa...
• July 30, 2015

"My blood sugar was extremely high (403) and metformin 500mg was prescribed for a 30 day period, to aid getting the blood sugar levels lowered. Within a 24 hour period and after taking 1000mgs, my blood sugar readings was down by 89 points to 314. I've just started on this road, but so far it has been helpful. The side effects for me have been minimal. Severe diarrhea, light headaches."

• jla
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2021

"I have been on metformin 500mg once a day for 3 mo. At first it was great I even lost a little weight. My A1C went up recently and I gained the weight back. I believe that was due to extreme stress. My doc increased my dosage to twice a day now. I have not had many side effects just headaches no stomach issues. I hope it helps me as I am afraid to go too high on the dosage because of the recall issues. I am hoping the benefits outweigh the risk."

• wblackb
• March 17, 2017

"Took the first 500mg pill that evening, felt a little light headed at bedtime, same thing that next morning at 7:00am. Took the second pill at 7:30am and by 10:00am I was so dizzy I spent the next day and a half flat on my back in bed, the room was spinning even with my eyes closed."

• Sambs
• October 4, 2015

"I was diagnosed in 2010 as "borderline" Type 2 and given Met 500mg dose 1 x day at breakfast. I was overweight and already being treated for Hypothyroidism with Levothyroxine sodium. after several months on it I started losing muscle strength and tiring easily, sleeping in afternoons, something I'd never done before. My husband was also on it 2 or 3x 800 mg per day,I don't remember now, but having been diagnosed years earlier in UK. he was ok on it, despite also being on French equivalent of Warfarin, and something else, since his triple bypass op in 2008. So same drug doesn't always suit everyone, depending on other health factors. I ended up with a swollen spleen after taking Metformin, so took myself off it just B4 scan confirmed it!"

• Evelyn
• July 19, 2021

"My aunt Evelyn had a terrible reaction to Metformin with confusion and hallucinations. This was the diabetes medication that was changed at the Long Term Care Home. Told the nurses to put her back on her old diabetes meds and she returned to normal. She later went into hospital and was put on Metformin for her diabetes. She start hallucinating again. Once again I asked the charge nurse what had caused her to start hallucinating (again). Charge nurse told me, POA for Personal care, that the only change was to Metformin, “the wonder drug for diabetes”. Again I told the charge nurse to stop the Metformin, read her medical records to see that she has had adverse reactions to Metformin twice before. I then requested that my aunt be put back onto her old Diabetes medication. My aunt return to her normal self in less than 36 hours. Metformin may be “a wonder drug” for some people, but it is not good for all People with diabetes."

• RalfL
• October 29, 2016

Glucophage (metformin) "Intestinal effects were greatly reduced by substituting name-brand Glucophage XR for generic metformin (various manufacturers), and a lower dose of Glucophage was sufficient to achieve a similar BG effect (daily dose reduced from 2000mg to 1500)."

• Ultra...
• December 6, 2014

"Metformin is very good at maintaining blood glucose levels, but the "trots" have been a problem for me since taking it 3 times a day, 1 pill per meal. I found that eating a fresh green salad with no-fat salad dressing a day, and a dose of Imodium Lopermide, made for the "trots", cuts down that problem. I have a tremendously bad problem with morbid (hate that word so much) obesity, and have not noticed any weight loss, but perhaps I'm glad that it can! I am very limited in physical excercise due to a spinal cord injury, degenerative arthritus in my spine, several problems with my legs, broken bones, etc. I used to hike a lot, but can't now. Hypothyroidism doesn't help. Hard time..."

• Foxy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2019

"This is the worst medicine I have ever taken. I would rather have high blood sugar than take this medicine. It makes me so sick to my stomach and just always having stomach pain. I am switching over to insulin because at least insulin won’t make my stomach miserable, even if it means taking shots every day."

• dmc
• December 31, 2016

"Diagnosed in August 2016. Tried a few of the newer drugs, reactions just fine, but insurance would only pay a fraction of these meds. So, settled on Metformin. It does the job but I suffer from digestive/intestinal gas problems. I combat these with diarrhea meds and an acid reducer. It has helped but I would like to take the newer drugs if my rx plan would pay a substantial amount of the cost."

• bigbo...
• April 16, 2011

"I'm male, 52, and a Type-2 diabetic, now on insulin. I have been a diabetic for 11 years, and took glipizide for eight of those years to successfully control my glucose levels. When my PCP moved away, I had to find a new one. My new PCP switched me from glipizide to metformin. As much as I tried to carefully titrate on to the medicine, metformin left me feeling bloated and with chronic diarrhea. My body simply would not tolerate metformin. I ended up seeing an endocrinologist, and he switched me to insulin, and I am VERY happy with that move. My glucose levels are under control, and I don't have to deal with any adverse effects. The pen-needle injections hurt less than a finger prick, so going on insulin has not been a problem at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2019

"Metformin was horrible for me. I was on it for over 6 months and had severe stomach problems/diarrhea the whole time. It never even helped to lower my AIC. I had to finally tell my doctor ENOUGH and moved on to an injection."

• cutea...
• August 16, 2008

"I began Metformin a week ago to control what is referred to as borderline diabetes with a fasting blood sugar of 129. I am taking only 500 mg twice a daily and had the upset stomach the first couple days only. Coupled with Armour Thyroid and Iodral my cravings for sweets and spicy are much less and I have been able to stick to the diet for 1200 calories and journal for the past 7 days which is a record for me. After my last visit and B12 shot I have been told to double the thyroid if I began to feel tired after a few days again. "

• TerieV
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 15, 2017

Glucophage (metformin) "I have side effects from most brands of genetic metformin because they use cheap fillers. Real Glucophage is my only option. Why is it so expensive? My insurance won't cover it. But I have no side effects. Guess it's worth it."

• Jagschd
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2017

"I started taking metformin 500mg twice daily this June and had hell of symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach ache, dizziness, weakness etc. But the condition improved within a month of use. Never felt so energetic and cheerful. 6 months on and have increased to 1500mg per day. Request the users not to discontinue without feeling the positive effects."

• DDano
• August 29, 2018

"I have been taking metformin for several several years too. And yes like many other people have said it did give me diarrhea too, night sweats, and tiredness all the time. No energy, and who only knows what else."

• pkyzz...
• July 4, 2009

"I am a 64 year old male. I stopped taking this drug (along with Glimepiride) after only 8 days because I was experiencing constant exhaustion and shortness of breath. Walking up the steps caused me to pant and have to sit and rest. I wanted to sleep all the time. I never took a sugar reading during the 8 days I was taking it, so it may very well have worked to lower my sugar. I just couldn't live with the side effects, and felt better within hours of stopping taking it (and Glimepiride). I will go back to my doctor after the holiday to try something else."

• Joy-see
• August 29, 2015

"Have been on Metformin for years and up to 1000 with an A1C of 8.7 currently. Glucose at doctor's office 87 one day and at next follow up with family doctor was 186,,,endocrinologist prescribed Actos to get A1C down. Also on other meds. Lipitor, Cosaar for BP, and new drug, Otezla for psoriatic arthritis along with UVB treatments. Taking vitamins to support heart, supplements, calcium, vitamin C, B supplements, acidophilus, co-Q, ear drops and ointments dimethesone and ketacodnisone from dermatologist for psoriasis. Had adjustment period with Metformin. Hands have been extremely painful with swelling and severe joint pain and swelling concentrated in left hand, ring finger. New Rheumatologist recently diagnosed psoriatic arthritis."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2012

"I have been on metformin 1,000 mg in morning and 1,000mg after dinner. Since starting this medicine I have been having morning sickness type feelings 24/7 with nausea and vomiting everyday. I don't know if it's my Ortho Evra birth control patch or if its the metformin making me sick. I've only been on the patch for 2 months with no side effects except for this month. I'm also on phentermine 30mg 1x daily for a month so far. I've been eating healthier small meals daily and exercising 6 days a week and have not lost a pound. When I go back and see my endocrinologist next month I will report back if she changes my medication and checks my blood levels to see if there is a change. Thank you for all of the comments on here its helped me a great deal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 4, 2021

"Took Metformin for 2 years and lowered A1C and lost weight! Loved it! Then started getting forgetful, brain fog and very poor memory! Decided to go off metformin to see if it was the cause and it all cleared up!!!"

• Sha
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2017

"This was the first drug they tried for me when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I was unlucky to get one of the rare side effects. It made me super drowsy to where I couldn't get out of bed. When I did get up for maybe eating or bathroom, I felt like a zombie. Working was impossible. I went off the med, felt better, and tried it a second time with the same effect. I gave this a two because I know this drug can work for some people. It works well for my husband with minimal side effects. Just not for me."

• Lilys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

"I took metformin for two weeks - changing from IR tabs 500 mg twice a day, because my A1C was down to 5.5 - mostly due to gall bladder trouble and not being able to eat. This medication caused SO MUCH INTESTINAL DISTRESS I was forced to switch back to IR tabs. Stomach pain, severe bloating and gas, and diarrhea. This may not be the case for others. I also must take ox bile and other digestive supplements because I no longer have a gall bladder."

• Sar
• March 20, 2017

"Been taking 1000mg a day for about a week. No side effects and my blood glucose levels are around 150 now. I'm Full sooner and hoping for some weight loss. Took Trulicity prior and was sick an entire week from one shot!"

• Wifely
• September 19, 2017

"My estranged husband was sent to the ER twice 5 days ago, 1st time they sent him home after 3 hrs., then his friend brought him back at 3am the next night, as his friend thought he looked so bad! He got sick on a Sun and got progressively worse over the next few days. Awful nausea couldn't eat was so weak he could not get up. They did all sorts of tests and his ER doc said it wasn't metformin as his blood work didn't show lactic acidosis. But after reading reviews from other people who had similar effects, I am convinced the metformin is to blame."

• Clay_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2017

"I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 1.5 months ago. My A1C was 15.8, Urine Glucose over 500 (test max) and my first home blood glucose test was 577. My doctor had me start with one metformin 500mg ER tablet a day for the first week, then two a day since then. I also was prescribed a 5mg tablet of glipizide a day. My Blood Glucose has been in the 85-150 range the past month. I have modified my diet some. I did experience some diarrhea, though am over it now."

• AJChar
• June 29, 2017

"Diagnosed as "pre-diabetic", A1C 5.9. GP said my triglycerides high and prescribed metformin 500 mg twice a day. 1 pill a day had no obvious side effects. Adding pill #2 gave diarrhea if taken at the same time. So I shifted pill #2 to lunch and it gave diarrhea after 2 days in a row. So I worked my way up to 2 a day. Mon & Thur for month. Mon/Wed/Fri for a month. Etc. My A1C is now 5.3-5.7, with my insurance the generic is super cheap (less than $1/month), and if I have diarrhea for any reason I skip the 2nd daily pill. Metformin is working fine for me."