People with diabetes probably know about Metformin and its side effects. This article is for all those who wish to learn more about this drug. Metformin is a medication used in diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) treatment, (including patients who are overweight). It is used in treating polycystic ovaries syndrome as well.
According to some sources, it is one of the world’s most prescribed anti-diabetic medications. Although it is considered quite safe, it can cause some side effects. Metformin side effects are not very severe, but some people are too sensitive and can have bad reaction to this medication.
Possible Metformin Side Effects
Metformin does not cause many side effects, in condition it is used in appropriate cases and in recommended doses. This medication helps reducing triglycerides and can contribute to preventing cardiovascular problems in people who suffer from diabetes.
Contraindications are possible in patients who suffer from any problem related to lactic acidosis. There can be kidney problems and liver or lung problems. Patients with hypothyroidism should be extra careful with this drug and must consult their doctor first.
Metformin side effects that can sometimes occur are: headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence and other gastrointestinal problems. Some users may experience weight gain. Allergies to this drug are also possible, so if you experience any sort of allergic reaction (rash, difficult breathing, pain in your chest, mouth swelling, lip swelling, face or tongue swelling) call your doctor immediately. These are signs of allergic reactions, so if you experience any of these, you will have to get immediate medical help.
Even if you have never had any kind of allergy, you never know what can happen. Skin rash is usually a mild side effect and it will subside once you stop taking metformin. Breathing problems and pain in chests are serious side effects, so you should not ignore them. Finally, lip swelling, face swelling, throat swelling and tongue swelling are very serious side effects, and you must contact your doctor right away.
Also, if you experience any kind of unexplained pain in bones or notice that your urine is darker than usual, call your doctor. If you feel any pain while urinating, feel dizzy and weak or feel cold, this could indicate low tolerance to metformin. One can also have changes in his stool, pain in muscles, appetite loss, severe vomiting, short breath and hands/ankles swelling. Fever and sore throat were also reported by some users. However, sore throat and fever are not severe side effects of this medication and they are not difficult to treat. Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration, and if your appetite is poor, you may start feeling quite weak.
Although this medication is commonly used and considered very safe for patients, you never know what can happen to you, so don’t do anything without asking your doctor first. Before starting with this drug, your doctor must know about your medical past. It is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions. Do not change the dose on your own. Even if you think that your dose needs to be modified, you must never change it without your doctor’s knowledge.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
metformin side effects
Metformin side effects are rare and generally well tolerated. The several critical side affect – and rare – is lactic acidosis. Here are six conditions to discuss among your doctor to determine your risk.
Before you get too worried about lactic acidosis among metformin on you and your doctor providing try to determine your risk. First – how is lactic acidosis? Basically, it is a condition in your person where your blood pH drops, making an acidic environment. There are additional conditions this occur the are out of this moment discussion. However, there are signs and symptoms of your have got to your eye out out because if you bet you is able to be getting lactic acidosis.
For example, you may feel tired and weak, muscle pain, shortness of breath and stomach problems. Of course, this is quite thorough symptoms and may make it difficult to detect lactic acidosis. That’s why it is top for you and your doctor to cover the roots depicted below before starting metformin.
But before we get to that, let me assure you this the true gamble of developing lactic acidosis based on what i read in metformin is severly rare. In fact, alone happens in 1 in every 33,000 patients. However, when it occurs, is fatal in 50% of the time.
Thus, in a nutshell. Lactic acidosis is rare so patients typically say not to apprehension too much around it. However, there are selected patients who may be worried. Here’s how to know if you’re one of them.
1) How is your kidney function?
What occurs in your person has to go. Metformin and its journey within your kidneys. Therefore, if your kidney function is shoddy (his doctor has to determine by laboratory tests) runs the risk of not being able to remove your body metformin. When this moment occurs, persists in to accumulate on your system. And that is when you plans to commence worrying nearly lactic acidosis.
2) Do you drink alcohol?
The consumption of alcohol may substantiate the impact of metformin on lactate metabolism. Therefore, one drink are able to put you at the top? Obviously, that is somewhat such a you and your doctor should talk. But I believe the current moderation is the key. Alcohol may have particularlly therapeutic good things in moderation. Unless you are a compulsive drinker or drinking all the second is not too worrying.
3) How is the functioning of the liver?
As you read this, metformin is excreted from the person within your kidneys, so why apprehension about the function of the liver? Because that is how lactate is removed based on his body. Therefore, if you are triggering lactate and do not want to proceed through lactic acidosis has to have a way to get rid of it. That’s why your liver needs to be in top form.
4) Are you going to have any procedure despite do in the close to future?
Sometimes the doctor may order a calibration course (such as a CT scan among contrast). Usually such involves the use of iodine. These types of procedures can trigger to fluctuations in kidney function. If you are being offered to do something such as currently generate ensured your doctor knows you are choosing metformin.Metformin side effects
5) What other medications are you taking?
The greatest risk of a drug interaction with metformin come about additonally taking Lasix ® (furosemide), Lanoxin ® (digoxin) and Procardia ® (nifedipine). The end result of these types of interactions with other drugs is who such a proportions of metformin increase in your body, which can make to lactic acidosis.
6) How old are you?
Normally, as you get older your kidney function begins to slow down. So if you are throughout 80 have got to get their kidney function tested before appearing metformin.
Moreover, even if you have a likelihood factor, you’re a doctor may decide to carry on him in at any rate metformin. Why? It is the just drug available that improves glucose tolerance. Moreover, from the time of becoming generic it has kept on vastly dropped prices. In short, you may suffer a difficult opportunity replacing a drug so worthy.
Before you get too worried about lactic acidosis among metformin on you and your doctor providing try to determine your risk. First – how is lactic acidosis? Basically, it is a condition in your person where your blood pH drops, making an acidic environment. There are additional conditions this occur the are out of this moment discussion. However, there are signs and symptoms of your have got to your eye out out because if you bet you is able to be getting lactic acidosis.
For example, you may feel tired and weak, muscle pain, shortness of breath and stomach problems. Of course, this is quite thorough symptoms and may make it difficult to detect lactic acidosis. That’s why it is top for you and your doctor to cover the roots depicted below before starting metformin.
But before we get to that, let me assure you this the true gamble of developing lactic acidosis based on what i read in metformin is severly rare. In fact, alone happens in 1 in every 33,000 patients. However, when it occurs, is fatal in 50% of the time.
Thus, in a nutshell. Lactic acidosis is rare so patients typically say not to apprehension too much around it. However, there are selected patients who may be worried. Here’s how to know if you’re one of them.
1) How is your kidney function?
What occurs in your person has to go. Metformin and its journey within your kidneys. Therefore, if your kidney function is shoddy (his doctor has to determine by laboratory tests) runs the risk of not being able to remove your body metformin. When this moment occurs, persists in to accumulate on your system. And that is when you plans to commence worrying nearly lactic acidosis.
2) Do you drink alcohol?
The consumption of alcohol may substantiate the impact of metformin on lactate metabolism. Therefore, one drink are able to put you at the top? Obviously, that is somewhat such a you and your doctor should talk. But I believe the current moderation is the key. Alcohol may have particularlly therapeutic good things in moderation. Unless you are a compulsive drinker or drinking all the second is not too worrying.
3) How is the functioning of the liver?
As you read this, metformin is excreted from the person within your kidneys, so why apprehension about the function of the liver? Because that is how lactate is removed based on his body. Therefore, if you are triggering lactate and do not want to proceed through lactic acidosis has to have a way to get rid of it. That’s why your liver needs to be in top form.
4) Are you going to have any procedure despite do in the close to future?
Sometimes the doctor may order a calibration course (such as a CT scan among contrast). Usually such involves the use of iodine. These types of procedures can trigger to fluctuations in kidney function. If you are being offered to do something such as currently generate ensured your doctor knows you are choosing metformin.Metformin side effects
5) What other medications are you taking?
The greatest risk of a drug interaction with metformin come about additonally taking Lasix ® (furosemide), Lanoxin ® (digoxin) and Procardia ® (nifedipine). The end result of these types of interactions with other drugs is who such a proportions of metformin increase in your body, which can make to lactic acidosis.
6) How old are you?
Normally, as you get older your kidney function begins to slow down. So if you are throughout 80 have got to get their kidney function tested before appearing metformin.
Moreover, even if you have a likelihood factor, you’re a doctor may decide to carry on him in at any rate metformin. Why? It is the just drug available that improves glucose tolerance. Moreover, from the time of becoming generic it has kept on vastly dropped prices. In short, you may suffer a difficult opportunity replacing a drug so worthy.
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