How to take metformin and how to start taking metformin for the first time. Learn how to reduce metformin side effects correctly.

Did I help you in any way? Donate a coffee to support the channel! ☕😃

►[ Ссылка ]

Get a pill box to remember your meds!
►[ Ссылка ]

Camera I Use:
►[ Ссылка ]

This video will go over many questions I receive in the pharmacy that include:

How To Take Metformin Without Side Effects, when is the best time to take metformin, how to build up to the right metformin dose, what to expect from metformin 500 mg side effects, how to treat diarrhea caused by metformin, and more.

How many people are on metformin therapy?

Metformin has been prescribed to over 120 million people worldwide.

What is metformin used for?

Metformin is a medication which is prescribed for 2 major reasons Type 2 Diabetes and off label use for polycystic ovarian syndrome otherwise known as pcos. Its also sometimes used for counteracting weight gain caused from some medications treated to help with mood.

How does metformin work?

Number 1: It reduces the amount of sugar your liver makes, Number 2: It reduces the amount of sugar your body absorbs, and Number 3: It increases the effects of insulin in your body to help transport sugar from your bloodstream to where it needs to go, such as (your fat cells, muscles, tissues, and liver, so on so forth).

The ADA recommends starting metformin when first becoming diagnosed with type 2 diabetes if diet and exercise, and lifestyle changes alone is not enough to reduce those high blood sugars.

Metformin can stimulate ovulation and regulate your cycle, increasing your chances of pregnancy. It can also treat diabetes that develops during pregnancy, called (gestational diabetes) and delay or prevent full-blown diabetes from developing in women who are overweight.

But these benefits do have side effects which make it one of the most hardest medications to stay consistent with.

What are the side effects of metformin?

Most of the side effects people experience when first starting are stomach problems, the main one is the diarrhea, then its the nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, and gas. Most of the time these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Should I take metformin with food?

Thats why the biggest take away with this video to reduce the chances of these side effects is to: Take it With Food and to let your doctor know if its okay to slowly increase the dose of your instant release metformin to the optimal amount over several weeks instead of getting hit with the full dose all at once, this is what pharmacists call drug titration.

Metformin extended release?

Some people find that the extended-release version of metformin to be gentler on the digestive system and its better tolerated because its spread out over several hours acting as a slow releaser of the drug. Just keep in mind though that the extended release tabs should not be crushed or cut and the dosages might differ too.

How long does it take for metformin to work?

You may notice improvement in your blood sugar control in 1 to 2 weeks, but the full effect of blood sugar control may take up to 2 to 3 months. This also depends person to person too.

Other important tips to keep in mind is to avoid heavy drinking (which is anything over 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men) as this can cause too much lactic acid buildup which is a serious and rare side effect, alcohol can also increase your blood sugars so keep that in mind too. Weight loss can occur as well.

What to expect when taking metformin?

Your doctor may also want to monitor and check your A1c levels every 3 months or every 2 years, your kidney function, a complete blood count, as well as your vitamin b12 levels. Also, some formulations of metformin may smell awful and some leave a lingering metallic taste in your mouth too, totally normal, but its not something that a little bit of mouthwash cant solve.

Metformin explained

So quick recap , almost everyone with type 2 diabetes, as well as many with prediabetes are taking metformin to control their blood sugar. In fact, it’s one of the most prescribed medications in the U.S. because It’s cheap, and it works to not only lower your blood sugar levels but it can also lower your risk of heart attacks.

What is metformin?

Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and sometimes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Type 2 diabetes is an illness where the body doesn't make enough insulin, or the insulin that it makes doesn't work properly. This can cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). PCOS is a condition that affects how the ovaries work.

#diabetes #metformin #pcos

свернуть