Metformin is known for its trade name “Glucophage” and used mainly to treat diabetes . There are several studies that say metformin weight loss is seen to patients taking the medication. It reduces the person’s hunger that’s why it results to weight loss.
Metformin is used to manage type II diabetes if a person has a high blood sugar in the body and cannot be controlled through diet and exercise. Some patients are using metformin to reduce the amount of blood sugar in the body and to maintain it in a normal level. The drug is very helpful to increase the sensitivity of the body to insulin and to know to produce good results among diabetic clients. Like all medications, metformin also has side effects. People who are taking metformin may experience the side effects from time to time and it also varies in different persons because of the different body factors.
Most common metformin side effects:
- Changes in taste
- Abnormal stools
- Difficulty of breathing
- Muscle pain
- Increased thirst
- Increased sweating
- Flushing of the face
- Flu- like symptoms such as weakness, muscle pain, fever and chills
- Light headedness/ dizziness
- Nail problems
More severe glucophage side effects:
- Allergic reaction signs such as skin itching, wheezing, rash, difficulty of breathing, unexplained swelling and hives.
- Causes reduced absorption of vitamin B12 but B12 injections can be done to provide more B12 vitamins in the patient’s body
- It causes electrolyte disturbances which makes the body acidic. Metformin reduces lactic acidosis which can be harmful in the body but these symptoms are only experienced by 10 in every 100,000 persons who are taking metformin medication.
- Metformin causes impaired liver and kidney functions. But it only happens if the patient is overdose by the medication. If there is an excessive intake, there is a tendency for the liver and kidney to completely stop working.
- The drug can affect the level of hormones. Overdose can reduce the thyroid-stimulating hormones in the body. Lowering of the luteinizing hormones and testosterone is also possible in men.
Side Effects of Metformin Among Women
Metformin can be used in different diseases. It can be used by women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Since metformin can cause severe damage to developing fetus, intake of the medication should be discontinued once pregnancy is confirmed. If the women are infertile and suffering from PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome, the medication must only be given after several analysis and synthesis of the test results.
The most common side effect is weight loss which became favorable to those people who are taking the medication. The major goal of people who have type II diabetes is to lose weight that’s why the use of metformin in therapeutic level will be helpful. But it does not mean that everyone can use the medication as substitute to slimming pills. They should remember that the medication is intended to lower the blood sugar level and if the person who has no diabetes takes Glucophage, they will most likely experience hypoglycemia that may be dangerous if not treated immediately. Taking the prescribed amount of medication is very important to avoid undesired side effects like kidney and liver damage. Also, doctor’s prescription is very important.
People suffering from high sugar levels or those who are diagnosed having type 2 diabetes are prescribed by their physician to take the medicine Metformin. This medicine has generic and not generic, and it is also called as Glucophage. As we all know that everything that takes into the body, it is normal that the body system reacts on it. Same with this drug, when taken by patients, it is normal to feel some metformin side effects, such as:
- Diarrhea – This is very common to those taking this drug
- Vomiting – This is next to the highest percentage of side effects felt by patients
- Gas – It only occurs to some patients
- Weakness – This also has seldom effects to metformin users
- Indigestion – It normally doesn’t affect those patients taking metformin
- Abdominal Discomfort – This is not a common experience of side effects
- Headache – This is the least experienced side effects
As we notice the above side effects of metformin hcl, we can evaluate that these are not that serious side effects compared to other drugs. It is tolerable by the patients taking it and doesn’t cost too much trouble. But there are also glucophage side effects which are considered slightly complicated that when a patient experiences it, he needs to see a doctor. Among these are:
- Nail Problems
- Increased sweating
- Flu-like symptoms
- Flushing
- Heart Palpitations
- Tastes changes
- Abnormal stools
- Muscle pains
- Dizziness
- Breathing Difficulty
A health care provider can make the patient feel better if someone experiences any of these side effects. Though these are not that harmful but it somehow causes some other malfunctions to other body organs if taken for so long. Just like the case that was listed along metformin lawsuits pages which can be read over here in the internet, that somebody’s wife has taken this drug for quite sometime, and it was really effective on lowering its blood sugar level, but the sad thing was his wife died of a kidney disease which was allegedly caused by this medicine. So it is important to know how to avoid this.
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Were you recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? If so, your doctor might have prescribed you a prescription or two and offered up some suggestions on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Following those guidelines for a healthier life and taking the daily medication will be important. One of those medications prescribed might be called Metformin. Metformin, also referred to as Metformin HCL, is used to treat only type 2 diabetes. There are some side effects when you take the medication, but your doctor will only prescribe it if they are not bothersome to you. If the Metformin side effects are a large problem for you, your doctor might change your medicine.
When you start the medicine, take note of any adverse affect you have. It might be a mild side effects or it could be a major one, so pay attention to your body. Your body will always indicate when it does not react well with a medicine. If the Metformin side effects are too strong, there is a combination of prescriptions that can work in its place. Since the medicine regulates the blood sugar in the body, there will be ups and owns in your system. When the blood is low, it is a condition called hypoglycemia. The side effects include pale skin, muscle weakness, hunger, headache, sweating, nervousness, mood swings, shakiness, lightheartedness, and numbness.
The symptoms can get worse with hypoglycemia if they are not corrected and reversed right away. Always keep a supply of your medicine on hand or alert people with you about your condition so they know what to do in case of an emergency. Hypoglycemia and diabetes can both be treated with proper diet and medication taken regularly without trouble. In rare instances will you have a problem where your friends will need to intervene.
There is also a side effect which results in high blood sugar, which is called hyperglycemia. This is when there is too much sugar in the bloodstream and it needs to be taken care of. The symptoms include extreme thirst, extreme hunger, frequent urination, weakness, dry mouth and blurred vision. In rare cases, extreme symptoms will include seizures, vomiting, shortness of breath, decreased breathing.
There is another medicine prescribed called Glucophage that is taken in conjunction with other medicines in order to treat sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. This is an oral medication that is usually taken daily to help regulate blood sugar when one medication is not enough. Glucophage side effects can range from mild to moderate. One symptom is called lactic acidosis and it can be dangerous. Other side effects include dizziness, weakness, stomach pain, uneven heartbeat, swelling, trouble breathing and vomiting.
When you are taking Metformin alone, there are side effects that might go away as treatment continues and your body gets used to the medicine. They include diarrhea, bloating, gas, headache, nausea, sneezing, runny nose, heartburn, constipation, nail pain, chest pain and headache. Make sure to tell your doctor about your side effects and see if he wants to change the medicine.