What are the pros and cons of taking metformin?

Metformin can be used alone or with the addition of insulin if sugar levels are still too high. Not having to inject, less risk of low blood sugars and few side effects, the benefits of use are easy to see. Side effects if experienced are most commonly nausea and diarrhoea which should settle soon after commencing.

What are the downsides of taking metformin?

When Should metformin be avoided?

Your doctor will probably tell you not to take metformin. Also, tell your doctor if you are over 65 years old and if you have ever had a heart attack; stroke; diabetic ketoacidosis (blood sugar that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment); a coma; or heart or liver disease.

What are long term effects of using metformin?

Among individuals with diabetes, long-term treatment with metformin may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Further studies should establish the role of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, and the protective role of metformin in the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

How many years can you stay on metformin?

Generally, if you are prescribed metformin, you will be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it. However, metformin does have some side effects, and patients often have questions about the safety of long-term use.

Metformin Side Effects (

Why are doctors no longer prescribing metformin?

In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that some makers of metformin extended release remove some of their tablets from the U.S. market. This is because an unacceptable level of a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) was found in some extended-release metformin tablets.

Do I need to check blood sugar while taking metformin?

Home testing is typically not needed for patients taking oral medications, such as Glucophage (metformin), he says. Instead of home testing, doctors typically order a blood test, called a hemoglobin A1C test, every three to six months.

What does metformin do to your legs?

A lack of this B vitamin can happen to anyone, but the risk is higher on metformin, especially over time. When you don't get enough, it can cause peripheral neuropathy, the numbness or tingling in your feet and legs that's already a risk with diabetes.

What can I take naturally instead of metformin?

Studies show that taking berberine can lower blood sugar levels to a similar extent as the popular diabetes drug metformin ( 4 ). In a study in 116 people with type 2 diabetes, the substance reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 20% and HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels) by 12% ( 5 ).

What is the safest drug for type 2 diabetes?

Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Can metformin cause aching joints?

Conclusions: People with diabetes taking metformin were less likely to report back, knee, neck/shoulder and multisite musculoskeletal pain than those not taking metformin. Therefore, when treating these patients, clinicians should be aware that metformin may contribute to fewer reports of musculoskeletal pain.

What is the best time of day to take metformin?

Metformin alone (Glucophage® XR): At first, 500 mg once daily with the evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day. Metformin alone (Glumetza®): At first, 500 mg once a day taken with the evening meal.

What do diabetic legs look like?

Also known as “shin spots,” the hallmark of diabetic dermopathy is light brown, scaly patches of skin, often occurring on the shins. These patches may be oval or circular. They're caused by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the tissues with nutrition and oxygen.

What should my blood sugar be when I wake up?

Whenever possible, aim to keep your glucose levels in range between 70 and 130 mg/dL in the morning before you eat breakfast, and between 70 and 180 mg/dL at other times.

What is a good blood sugar level for type 2 diabetes?

Keep your blood sugar levels close to normal to avoid many of these complications. The American Diabetes Association's goals for blood sugar control in people with diabetes are 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL after meals.

Can you stop metformin once you start?

But you may be able to stop taking it if your doctor thinks you can maintain your blood sugar without it. You may be able to successfully lower and manage your blood sugar without medication by making lifestyle changes such as the following: maintaining a healthy weight. getting more exercise.

What is the new pill for diabetes?

FRIDAY, Sept. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A new pill to lower blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday. The drug, Rybelsus (semaglutide) is the first pill in a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) approved for use in the United States.

How can I reverse diabetes permanently?

“There is no permanent cure for diabetes, because the cells that produce insulin have been damaged and the underlying genetic factors remain,” Lucas says. “The patient does maintain an increased susceptibility to recurrence of diabetes, so lifestyle interventions must be continued.”

Is blood sugar of 7.8 high?

Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

When participants in the study drank one cup of chamomile tea after meals three times per day for six weeks, they showed a reduction in blood sugar levels, insulin, and insulin resistance.

Is coffee good for diabetics?

Some studies suggest that drinking coffee — whether caffeinated and decaffeinated — may actually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, however, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels.

Does metformin reduce belly fat?

Conclusions: Metformin has no clinically significant effect in reducing visceral fat mass, although it does have a beneficial effect on lipids.

Can metformin make you tired?

Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood.

Does metformin help you sleep?

Conclusion: We showed that metformin therapy is associated with a longer sleep duration and better sleep efficiency. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm metformin's favourable effect on sleep quality and quantity.