Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes User Reviews (Page 5)

• One...
• July 30, 2015

"My blood sugar was extremely high (403), and metformin 500 mg was prescribed for a 30-day period to aid in getting the blood sugar levels lowered. Within a 24-hour period and after taking 1000 mg, my blood sugar readings were 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."

• det...
• May 26, 2016

"I have been on this medication a mere 4 days. I have gained 7 pounds in that time. I also feel extremely bloated. I also had an upset stomach for the first two days. I am getting off of it immediately! I must be one of the lucky ones, it is not working well for me at all."

• wbl...
• March 17, 2017

"Took the first 500 mg pill that evening, felt a little lightheaded at bedtime, same thing that next morning at 7:00 am. Took the second pill at 7:30 am, and by 10:00 am 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."

• big...
• 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 onto 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."

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

"I have been on metformin 500 mg once a day for 3 months. 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 doctor 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 risks."

• 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."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 15, 2017

Metformin "I have side effects from most brands of generic 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."

• Jag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2017

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

• Fox...
• 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."

• Sam...
• October 4, 2015

"I was diagnosed in 2010 as 'borderline' Type 2 and given Met 500 mg 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 3 x 800 mg per day, I don't remember now, but having been diagnosed years earlier in the UK. He was okay on it, despite also being on the French equivalent of warfarin, and something else, since his triple bypass op in 2008. So the same drug doesn't always suit everyone, depending on other health factors. I ended up with a swollen spleen after taking metformin, so I took myself off it just before the scan confirmed it!"

• ble...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 18, 2025

"I have been on Metformin for 20 years. I started on one 500 mg for the first few years. Currently I'm on 2/1000 mg a day. One with breakfast and one with supper. I have never had any bowel or stomach issues as my doctor said eat half your meal, take the pill, and then finish your meal. Works for me. If I am consistent eating a low carb diet, my sugar stays average. I will be on the medication for life and I'm fine with that."

• ug ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

"2 1/2 years ago my fasting glucose was 134. I didn't watch myself, and it shot up to 284. My doctor told me, 'YOU HAVE DIABETES!!!' two weeks ago. She gave me metformin 500 mg, 2x daily. Previous to taking this medication, I was urinating 6-12 times each night. I felt so awful, it was impossible to function the next day. During the day, I was urinating 2-3 times/hour. My friends thought I was crazy. I was drinking nonstop because of the diabetes, probably trying to flush out all of the excess sugar. All that has stopped. I get up 1-2 times in the night. I urinate during the day once every 3-4 hours, maybe. The metformin has really helped me, I hate pills with a passion, but I must give credit where it's due. I will stay on this drug until I lose weight and bring my sugar under control."

• cut...
• 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 day and had an upset stomach the first couple of 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."

• pky...
• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2019

"At first, all went well with metformin. The 2nd week, I was told to take 2 tablets, and that is when the severe stomach pain and nausea began. After putting up with that for several days, I went to the ER. I had pre-pancreatitis. I wouldn't take this or any med with metformin as an ingredient."

• 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 A1C. I had to finally tell my doctor ENOUGH and moved on to an injection."

• DDa...
• August 29, 2018

"I have been taking metformin for 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."

• 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."

• Sou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2022

"Horrible. Continuous diarrhea with nausea, bloating, and flatulence. The side effects do not go away, they will always be there. I lost 12 pounds in 10 days, not because Metformin is great, but because it is bad. It makes you dislike food completely and feel nauseated when you even think about eating. It is cheap and somewhat effective. That is why doctors and insurance push it first and foremost. I could not even tolerate 500 mg daily."

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2023

"I have been on metformin for a few years. I went from insulin injection to metformin, and while it hasn't helped me lose weight, it has kept my sugar down. People on here talk about diarrhea and stomach cramps, but it only happens when you don't eat anything when you take it or after you take it. If you eat dairy and try to eat sweets and greasy food, it will run through you. In order for this to work, you have to eat right too. I switched from dairy to lactose-free things, it helps a bunch because metformin seems to interact with dairy. Just eat like you should-healthy, no greasy, no fried food, no sweets. Eat something light and healthy when you take it, and drink lots of water too, it'll be okay. It has helped my heart too."

• 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!!!"

• Lil...
• 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 gallbladder 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 gallbladder."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2021

"I read some good reviews and was eager to try it out for the weight loss & 'feel-good' feeling others mentioned. I was on the min dose, 1 pill a day, 500 mg. I did not have diarrhea, instead, I had terrible constipation. I had no changes in my blood sugar, and within a few weeks, I had the most horrible bloating and stomach cramps I have ever known. I looked pregnant. As soon as I quit taking it, my bloated belly went back down to normal, BM returned to normal, and I will never touch it again."

• Sar...
• March 20, 2017

"Been taking 1000 mg 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!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2020

Metformin "OMG, completely and utterly dreadful. If you have a strong gag reflex, you will never get it down. It tastes disgusting, nauseating. Do yourself a favor and take regular Metformin (not extended release), chop that baby up, add applesauce, and it's a quick, pleasant swallow, just slightly bitter. Can't compare to the horrid taste of this stuff. Side effects are another story..."