Side Effects of Metformin to Diabetics

Metformin is a common type of oral hypoglycemic medicine applied to people with type 2 Diabetics to control the blood glucose. It is the first-line drug of choice for overweight and obese people. Metformin lowers insulin resistance and helps management of Diabetes. But just as some other medicines, Metformin also has several side effects. People need to be alert for signs of side effects so as to prevent and control it timely.

Meformin works in several ways to help control Diabetes. It helps to increase the sensitivity of the liver, fat, muscle, and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin produced by the pancreas, helping lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetics. As is proven by clinical studies, Metformin helps to reduce complications such as heart disease, blindness and kidney disease.

What are the side effects of Metformin? Like any medicine, Metformin has side effects. Metformin’s side effects are mostly mild and treatable, though there is rare chance of a problem called lactic acidosis. About 30% of users experience some sort of side effect, including indigestion and diarrhea. According to many clinical trials, 1% to 5% type 2 Diabetics experience side effects as follows:

﹡Taste changes (metallic taste in mouth)

﹡Abnormal stools

﹡Loss of appetite

﹡Increased sweating

﹡Nail problems

﹡Dizziness or lightheadachedness

﹡Unusual tiredness or weakness

﹡Asthenia

﹡Drowsiness

﹡Flushing or reddening on skin, especially in the face

﹡Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle pains and chills

﹡Allergic reactions including itching, hives, tightness in the chest, troubling breathing and unexplained swelling in face, lips, tongue, mouth, etc.

Lactic acidosis is the first known dangerous side effects of Metformin. Signs of lactic acidosis include feeling tired or weak, muscle pains, breathing difficulty, abdominal pains, feeling cold, cold or blue hands and feet, slow or irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, weight loss, etc. Healthy people don’t experience lactic acidosis because their body can deal with it. Metformin reduces liver uptake of lactate so the patients are at risk of the condition.

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can also be side effects of Meformin. Hypoglycemia occurs because your blood sugar levels drop too low to meet your needs. Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, shakiness, hunger, dizziness, blurry vision, speaking difficulty and seizures. Hyperglycemia, on the other hand, happens because blood sugar levels run too high. In this case, people experience dry mouth, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, etc. If this is not corrected timely people may develop diabetic ketoacidosis.

For people with type 2 Diabetics, taking metformin with a meal is one way to reduce problems, as well as taking an extended release version. In case any of the mentioned signs of side effects are detected, visit your doctor to immediate treatment advice.