I'm pre-diabetic, and I've been this way many years. So as a precaution my Dr gave me Metformin 500 mg. On the 3rd day I had an allergic reaction. I was itchy all over, and I felt slightly short of breath for several hours. I've stopped taking it and those symptoms are gone. One relative said she never heard of anyone being allergic to Metformin, and the pharmacist is also skeptical. The Dr is out of town until next week. Has anyone ever heard of anyone being allergic to Metformin? I'm also highly allergic to any form of Sulfer.
Metformin Allergy?
Question posted by Thor283 on 11 Dec 2014
Last updated on 1 December 2019 by Lisa95926
6 Answers
Lisa95926
1 Dec 2019
I was on Metformin for 20 years with no issues. Then, I did keto, lost weight and was able to get off all meds. I was SO healthy! Then I developed Meniere's disease and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. RHS comes with Bells Palsey, Shingles in my ear and throat and severe dizziness and nausea. Not fun to say the least. I live in a rural area and it took some time to be diagnosed. By then, my blood sugar was back up so I restarted metformin again. My dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea increased greatly, but I attributed it to RHS. I was weak and bedridden for weeks. I was constantly itchy and my breathing became difficult. I usually took my meds at night, and vomited all night long till I had nothing left to vomit and still continued to dry heave. One weekend, we were leaving for a 2 day trip, and I took my meds in the morning instead for convenience. 20 minutes later, down the road, I began vomiting. My poor bf kept pulling over.
I knew right then that it was the metformin. I have never taken it again, and I feel great. All of my other symptoms are managed for the most part. I'm on insulin now, but working towards getting healthy enough to get off of it. BTW, I dreaded the insulin and fought it as long as I could. But it really isn't that bad, and I feel MUCH better!
I guess so much has changed in my body, it couldn't tolerate metformin anymore. Good riddance! Lol
Pattye Lee
27 March 2019
I was put in the hospital for a week because of Metformin, I called and told the hospital what symptoms I was having , they said it is not likely to be Metformin, so I continued to take the medicine. 3 days after being on the medicine I was put in ICU,was place on a ventilator. heart machine, medicine to contact the medicine to get it out of my system . I literally thought I was going to die. They told my family that if I would have continued to take this drug I would have died. So if any one says you can not be allergic to this drug they are lying.
Lisat1968
10 April 2018
I have recently discovered an allergy to sulfa. This lead me to think about metformin. I have come off metformin and my neutrophils in my blood have come down so I am no longer showing with a high c reactive protein either. So metformin lead to palindrome arthritis (allergy)and high white blood cells. (Showing infection in body). I am now back to normal!
JBLINSKY
4 June 2018
My husband has been on Metformin for 6-8 months. He has hives and itchy skin. The Dr. told him it couldn't be the Metformin. Now he has an elevated WBC count. He has been off the drug for 1 week and has seen a 50 percent improvement in his hives and itching. We are hoping it is the Metformin.
EV2016
22 Dec 2016
I know this post is two years old. But wanted to let you know that I too have the exact problem. I am allergic to Sulfa and Metformin as well as Glipizide.
My provider says she has never heard of these allergies. But I have found others on the web whom have stated they have. It's very frustrating...
Thor283
23 Dec 2016
I'm also allergic to sulfur. When I was a kid I had a chemistry set and sulfur was needed for many of the experiments. If I even opened the bottle I got bad hives.
I've been taking Januvia for my pre diabetes. It seems to be only slightly effective so I hope it doesn't have any serious side effects.
Cooper1964
4 Oct 2017
I am also allergic to Sulfa and Metformin. I get an itchy rash. Have you found anything else to take?
Akin2010
18 Aug 2015
Yes I am allergic to metformin. It gives me hives.
Thor283
20 Aug 2015
n It's nice to know I'm not the only person allergic to Metformin. From what I'm told it is rare, but it does happen. I went to a 2nd Doc & his MiL is allergic to Metformin. So 1st he gave me Januvia. It lowered my sugar levels but after 2 months everything tasted too salty, and I don't even add salt to food. The Doc said it's a Januvia side effect. So now he has me on Tradjenta. It's only 3 weeks and I noticed some days I feel like I can't drink enough water. Since it's summer right now, I'm hoping this will go away in the colder weather. As of yet, I don't know if Tradjenta is lowering my sugar levels. Luckily, I'm not really diabetic. I'm prediabetic, so this is more of a precaution. I also managed to drop 30 lbs since last winter, so that should help.
thanks for the responses.
mkmorris84
18 June 2017
I am allergic to Metformin, I have tried it 2 different times and both times had intense itching. Now take Januvia but need something more. Any ideas?
Inactive
11 Dec 2014
Yes! - Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Inactive
11 Dec 2014
You should discontinue metformin until you talk with your Dr.
Thor283
11 Dec 2014
I did stop it and the symptoms are gone. But has anyone ever heard of a person being allergic to Metformin? That is the question.
Inactive
12 Dec 2014
I answered your question
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