Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2022

"I was on Metformin for almost 2 years. One 500 mg tablet each day. After about 4 months of its use, I developed chronic constipation. Given that this side effect is not known, I did not suspect Metformin as the cause. I tried everything to recover from constipation, but to no use. My life was miserable. Finally, I decided to stop taking Metformin last week. My constipation went away. Good riddance, Metformin."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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..."

• TOf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2024

"I lost 40 lbs without trying, and the weight was coming off daily. Also, I had constant vaginitis, was drinking 3+ liters a day, feeling constantly thirsty and peeing. The good points: Metformin reduced my blood sugar, I don’t feel sluggish, I’m not up peeing every 20 minutes, and it cured my vaginitis. The downsides are - in the first two weeks, I put on a stone in weight. Untreated diabetes meant that I could eat anything I wanted and I wouldn’t put any weight on. However, metformin obviously sorted that out, and because I didn’t change my diet, I piled on that weight very quickly. The stomach bloating was severe for 6 weeks. Also, I used to pride myself on drinking 3 liters a day - I bragged about this. Drinking 3L always had such a positive effect on my skin. Now I take metformin, I have zero desire to drink and have gotten my first forehead lines as a result"

• Cla...
• 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 500 mg ER tablet a day for the first week, then two a day since then. I also was prescribed a 5 mg 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 I am over it now."

• Joy...
• August 29, 2015

"Have been on Metformin for years and up to 1000 with an A1C of 8.7 currently. Glucose at the doctor's office 87 one day and at the next follow-up with the family doctor was 186. Endocrinologist prescribed Actos to get A1C down. Also on other meds. Lipitor, Cozaar 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, dimethasone and ketoconazole from the dermatologist for psoriasis. Had an 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."

• 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."