Metformin Side Effects

Metformin, the most common type 2 diabetes medication, comes in many different doses depending on your particular needs. Before taking metformin, it is recommended you start with a lower dosage to allow your body to get used to the drug. There is currently no set dosage guideline. Your doctor should prescribe your dosage based on your tolerance and individual needs. The only thing you should not do is exceed the recommended daily limit of 2,550 mg in adults and 2,000 mg in children.

To start, both adults and children will normally start at two doses of 500mg daily. Metformin should also be taken right before a meal. You should wait at least two weeks upon first starting metformin to see how your body responds to the medication. If you have severe metformin side effects, then you need to lower your dosage so that your body can better respond to the metformin. If the dosage does not adequately control your glycemic levels, a third dosage of 500mg can be taken.

For adults, most patients say they do not see much effect if they take anything lower then 1,500mg a day. If adults do not respond well to 500mg before two meals, an 850mg dose can be given once a day. It is recommended that you do increase your dosage 500mg a week up until 2,000mg are taken a day. For those who need further medication, another 500mg may be taken if properly taken and spread throughout the day. For children, the limit is only 2,000mg. Most of the time metformin will be given twice daily before meals in the form of 500mg doses.  Both children and adults can take 1,000mg tablets twice a day if taken at a meal like breakfast and then during a late supper.

Unless switching to metformin from chlorpropamide, no transition period is necessary.  If you were taking chlorpropamide, you need to take extra care of what you take due to the prolonged retention of chlorpropamide. The overlapping drug effects can sometimes cause hypoglycemia, which is why you need to monitor your dosage until your body removes all of the chlorpropamide.

Patients with liver or kidney problems also need to take extra precautions when using metformin. As discussed previously, liver and kidney patients can develop a serious side effect called lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. This can cause death or other severe injury if it is not properly treated. If you are a patient with liver or kidney problems, you will probably not increase your recommended dosage for a longer period of time so your doctor can make sure that you do not have the beginning stages of lactic acidosis.

Before taking metformin, discuss your dosage with your doctor and figure out a dosage that you feel comfortable taking each day. Likewise, if your current dosage is not working well for you speak up so you can increase your dosage. Metformin is the best way to treat your diabetes, you need to be proactive to make sure that your diabetes is under control and your body is functioning properly.