Metformin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have taken Metformin 500 mg once daily in the last 6 months. Finally, I got to the endocrinology, and they put me on 2000 mg per day. Now I am slowly increasing the dose - I had bad diarrhea, cramps, and everything you can imagine! Hopefully, the side effects will go away - because otherwise, I have no problem with it. Slow but steady weight loss, no more food cravings, and crazy frustration if I can't get my hands on carbs. I noticed I don't really want to eat oily food, junk food... which is brilliant!"

• Alv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I got diagnosed with PCOS on 7/15. Started metformin HCL ER 1000 mg mid-August for a week and then bumped up to 1500 mg the next week. I am 5'4" and started at 197 lb. Now on 10/7/15, I am at 184, so a 13 lb loss. I did get diarrhea when I first started, but that resolved itself after a week. I find that I have very little appetite for greasy foods. If anything, when I eat unhealthy food, I get nauseous, so I'm avoiding it now. I go to the gym every once in a while and still managed to lose weight! Meeting my doctor next week to see if weight loss pills are an option!"

• dmc...
• December 31, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• Tig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2018

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "Dr. said I was pre-diabetic and prescribed Metformin 500 once per day. I take it at night, and the next morning I have severe, uncontrollable diarrhea. I'm a 50-year-old male and had a sudden cardiac arrest with no heart rate for over 40 minutes, only CPR. While in the ICU, unresponsive for 19 days, they now believe I also had a stroke. The Metformin causes diarrhea so forceful that if I'm not near a toilet, well, I'm embarrassed to say, I end up with a stinky mess. I'm not taking this stuff anymore."

• TNi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Grade 9, I was given birth control (BC) to regulate my periods as I could not naturally create them on my own. On and off BC for a few years, testing to see if naturally I would get it - no luck. Advised to remain on BC until I wanted to have children, as this would keep my PCOS symptoms and hormone levels regulated. I am now 30 and needed to stop taking BC because of excessive weight gain and mood swings. I was prescribed Metformin from my family doctor on Feb 16th (gradually working up to 1000mg, 1/2 pill increase weekly). February 26th, I got my first natural period since Grade 9. AMAZING! Side effects: stomach pains, diarrhea, and nausea, manageable with a good diet - hope to have success with weight loss like others I've read below. Good luck!"

• Fai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2021

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Metformin is amazing. I am 5'2" and I went from 137 lbs to 117 lbs. I have PCOS, and it made me lose 20 lbs. I used to have painful periods, and now I can barely feel them. I take it to stimulate ovulation. I have been on it for about a year and a half. Side effects only if you eat too much sugar, you will have diarrhea. Other than that, it's awesome. Keeps me fit!"

• Sam...
• April 30, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I started with 250 mg only. At day 5, I started 500 mg. Weird side effects: mild diarrhea, quite bearable, but stomach pain on the left side, bloating, and flatulence. And I quit within 10 days. Now, after a month, I started again from 250. Same, stomach pain has started on the upper left abdomen. I hope it's a minor side effect, and it won't harm my stomach. But I wonder why this left side pain occurs. It's not a cramp, but a discomfort that sometimes radiates to my left side chest and left arm and then disappears."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2023

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I have type 2 diabetes. My blood sugar levels were always high, and I was constantly feeling hungry. My doctor put me on metformin 850 mg, three times a day. I have been on this dosage for 3 months, and my blood sugar has stabilized, my appetite has decreased, and I am slowly losing weight. I do have diarrhea, which I control with medication. Overall, I am happy with metformin."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been off and on birth control since 2011 to regulate my period. After being off birth control for 6 months, I went to the doctor for refills, except this time he prescribed birth control and metformin. I have been taking 500 mg a day for the past 5 days, and it has been absolute HELL! I feel bloated and weak all day. I feel nauseous all the time, which also discourages me from eating. And when I do eat, I get stomach aches and occasionally diarrhea. Also, I already had a sleeping problem, but now it's cramps and tossing and turning all night. But I think the worst for me is the bloating, I constantly feel like I just ate a whole cow! It's so uncomfortable! Eventually, I'll have to take 1000 mg. Hoping the side effects decrease."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on 500 mg of extended-release metformin for 2 months. I’m not feeling any change within myself for energy or seeing any weight loss yet. However, my blood pressure is lower after previously seeing diastolic readings of around 85, and now around 70. The side effects lasted about 1 week - diarrhea, stomach cramps, and headache. I’m scheduled to see if my blood sugar has reduced in about a month, so crossing my fingers for that."

• KeL...
• June 24, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2013 but did not start taking Metformin seriously until late 2014. I am also prediabetic, which is what has jump-started my desire to seriously lose weight. I cannot speak for blood sugar levels as I have not had them rechecked, nor have I gotten my cycle back, but I also have a significant amount of weight to lose first. I definitely experience an upset stomach and pretty intense diarrhea; however, this only seems to happen if I do not watch my carb and/or sugar intake. If I eat sensibly, I have little to no issues in the side effect department. I am losing weight and moving more and hope to one day not need medication anymore."

• I...
• December 22, 2016

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "In general, I have loose stools, but while on the drug, a sneeze or cough and I would soil myself. This became such a problem I didn't want to leave the house. I never lost any weight during my time on this medication."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• CJA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been prescribed Metformin by two doctors. The first experience was 1000 mg per day, and the side effects were awful. I was exhausted from constant diarrhea and a general feeling of unwellness. The side effects went away when I stopped the medication. I was told to cut my dose in half for a few weeks, then raise it again, and the side effects came back as soon as I started taking it. I stopped for a number of years, and my A1C was rising but still not that bad. Now my A1C is in the 6 range, and my new doctor put me on 500 mg of Metformin ER. After a few weeks, the side effects are intolerable again, so I’m stopping. I envy anyone who can take this with no problems and lose weight too. For me, it’s been a nightmare."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• Gem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I don't like this particular brand of Metformin. It doesn't have consistent results. My A1C was down to 5.9 from 11.8 when first diagnosed in 2009 after receiving a round of steroid shots for my back pain. My doctor had put me on a series of different diabetic type 2 meds. They found I was insulin resistant. So, they put me on Actos for about 6 months, and that is what got everything under control. I also had an extreme diet change, in 4 months, I lost 100 lbs. That also helped my numbers. Unfortunately, I had a life-changing event that required me to move out of state. I just had my urine checked, and my kidneys seem to be fine, but I'm having major issues when my sugar is 129. My A1C has gone up since taking this. Itching, diarrhea, weight gain."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "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."

• Jim...
• July 22, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Metformin for about a month (500 mg twice a day). I was told that it would give me stomach problems and loose stools, but since I have irritable bowel syndrome, that didn't worry me. As it turns out, this medicine had the opposite effect. I had constipation all the time. Only a good dose of laxatives would help, but even then, I had to strain pretty hard to relieve myself. Finally, my doctor decided to take me off the medication, since my readings were in the mid 80s. I've been off for about two days, and I'm feeling very light-headed. I'm hoping this will pass soon. My readings are still good, and the constipation is abating."

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2017

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am now 36 years old. I had self-diagnosed myself with PCOS in Oct 2015 at age 34. I have always had irregular periods. What flagged me was the rapid weight gain, acne, no period for 3 months, and hair growth on my chin. At first, I thought maybe I was pregnant. I went to see my doctor, explained all the issues, and had a blood test that was negative, although my testosterone levels were abnormally high. Mind you, this is where the hair growth comes in. I just started seeing a new doctor, explained the situation, and I have started Metformin. So far, so good. Slight diarrhea for a day or two, nothing big. Mind you, the side effect is possible gastro issues such as diarrhea. Out of all the reviews and talk with the doctor, this is the best solution, especially for someone wanting to conceive."

• AJC...
• June 29, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Diagnosed as 'pre-diabetic', A1C 5.9. GP said my triglycerides are 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 a 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."

• LMS...
• September 1, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was diagnosed with PCOS about two years ago with my lack of energy, weight gain, and irregular periods. I started on 500 mg/day, then slowly upped the dose to now taking 2000 mg/day. I have been on 2000 mg/day for over a month now and still feel awful side effects. I am always nauseous, burping, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, reduced sex drive (due to previously mentioned side effects), joint pain, loss of appetite, weakness... the list goes on. I am already low weight, so feeling ill and not having an appetite is concerning. Also, my period has not become more regular and, in fact, has become worse. When I was on just 500 mg/day, I felt fantastic, so the doctor kept increasing the dose. I think I will go back down to a lower dose or stop."