This diabetes medication doesn\u2019t cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia<\/a>), so this is one of its major benefits. Because it doesn\u2019t cause low blood sugar levels, people with type 2 diabetes can take metformin along with other medications like sulfonylureas and injectable insulin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin is in a drug class called biguanides. Biguanides help reduce the amount of sugar your liver makes while improving insulin sensitivity<\/a>, which helps reduce high blood sugar<\/a>. There are two types of metformin – regular metformin and extended-release metformin (XR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The common dosage for metformin ranges from 500 milligrams to a maximum of 2,550 milligrams per day. It\u2019s usually recommended to split the dose among meals, typically three times per day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While metformin is most commonly used for type 2 diabetes, it\u2019s also used to help treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)<\/a>. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder in women often stemming from insulin resistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PCOS<\/a> is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. Some healthcare providers prescribe metformin for women with PCOS<\/a> struggling with infertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the benefits of metformin is that it may support weight loss<\/a> and doesn\u2019t promote weight gain like some diabetes medications<\/a>. If you\u2019re overweight then weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can improve your blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [bensnaturalhealthIinlineLeadGen id =”1″ event=”15 Food Blood Sugar eBook Download” image=”https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Ipad-15-Foods.png” title=”Get Your FREE Diabetes Diet Plan” content=”##15 foods to naturally lower blood sugar levels ##3 day sample meal plan ##Designed exclusively by our nutritionist”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common metformin side effects are gastrointestinal-related. If you start taking metformin, you may experience some of these side effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin might also reduce your body\u2019s ability to absorb vitamin B12 in your stomach. Approximately 6-30%<\/a> of people taking metformin experience vitamin B12 deficiency. According to studies, the higher the metformin dose, the greater the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin B12 is important for creating DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia<\/a>, which is when you have lower levels of red blood cells than is healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia and comes with symptoms such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can treat vitamin B12 deficiency with vitamin B12 injections. Oral supplements aren\u2019t usually used to treat pernicious anemia because the issue lies in the stomach\u2019s ability to absorb vitamin B12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: <\/strong>What Happens When You Stop Taking Metformin for Diabetes?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people taking metformin experience minor side effects. However, there is a low risk of more severe side effects from taking metformin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lactic acidosis<\/a> is a serious condition where your body creates more lactic acid than your body can clear. The symptoms of lactic acidosis<\/a> usually set in quickly and include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin overdose<\/a> is the main risk factor for developing lactic acidosis. According to a position statement in the American Diabetes Association\u2019s Diabetes Care, <\/em>\u201cWhen metformin is used as labeled, the increased risk of lactic acidosis is either zero or so close to zero that it cannot be factored into ordinary clinical decision making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have severe renal impairment or kidney disease<\/a>, you might also be at greater risk of developing lactic acidosis<\/a> because your kidneys can\u2019t clear the lactic acid from your system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin is safe to use when the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is greater than or equal to 45 milliliters per minute<\/a>. The GFR is an indicator of how efficiently your kidneys filter blood. A GFR greater than 60 mL\/minute is considered normal, and kidney failure occurs when the GFR falls below 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin Diet: 5 Foods To Eat and 6 You Should Avoid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone responds to metformin differently. Two people taking the same dosages can have completely different levels of tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it over a few weeks can help reduce the risk of developing unpleasant side effects. For instance, your healthcare provider might have you start with a 500-milligram-tablet once daily and increase it to two tablets after a week if you\u2019re tolerating it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking metformin with meals is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of side effects. If you take metformin on an empty stomach, then you\u2019re more likely to have gastrointestinal upset. That\u2019s why metformin is meant to be taken with meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re struggling with metformin side effects or don\u2019t eat consistently enough to take your metformin two to three times a day, then you might do better with the extended-release version of metformin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Glucophage XR tablets are meant to be taken once daily with dinner. The starting dose is 500 milligrams and should then be increased as tolerated based on tolerance and response. The maximum dose of Glucophage XR is 2000 milligrams once at dinnertime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin is generally a safe and effective medication used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and other conditions related to insulin resistance<\/a>. It\u2019s inexpensive, generally well-tolerated, and doesn\u2019t cause low blood sugar<\/a>, unlike many type 2 diabetes medications. Side effects will usually decrease once you get used to the diabetes medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your healthcare provider recommends you take metformin, it\u2019s because the expected benefits outweigh any risks, which are quite low for metformin. You can adjust and tailor your medication dosages and regimens to your unique needs, so always reach out to your healthcare provider if you\u2019re having any issues with your medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCommon metformin side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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