Get Informed: Metformin
Active Ingredient(s)
Metformin
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It works by improving glucose tolerance, decreasing glucose production by the liver, decreasing absorption of glucose by the intestines, and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 11:36 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Metformin
- Glucophage
- Metformin HCl
- Metformin ER
- Glucophage XR
- Fortamet
- Glumetza
- Fortamet ER
- Riomet
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risk of lactic acidosis, particularly in patients with kidney problems.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 03 Mar 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 11,620,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Metformin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Metformin
There have been no alerts regarding Metformin during the past year.
Metformin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Metformin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Metformin used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 68,100 patients that use Metformin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 85% | 
|
| Insulin Resistance | 4% |
|
| Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | 2% |
|
| Other | 12% |
|
How well does Metformin work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 68,100 users taking Metformin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 79%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Metformin outweigh the bad things.
- 17%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Metformin.
Common Side Effects of Metformin
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 68,100 users taking Metformin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
32% of patients experience side-effects on Metformin
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Metformin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Abdominal Pain
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Allergic Reaction, Bloating/Gas, Breathlessness, Constipation, Cough, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Fatigue, Frequent Urination, Gas/Flatulence, Glucose Problems, Hair Loss, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Increased Appetite, Itch, Kidney Problems, Loose Stool, Loss of Libido, Migraine, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Numbness/Tingling, Ocassionally Stomach Cramps, Occassional Bowel Problems and Swelling, Postural Hypotension, Sexual Problems, Sleep Problems, Sweating, Swelling/Edema, Thirst, Tremor, Vitamin Deficiency, Weakness, Weight Gain, Weight Loss
Global Patient Feedback for Metformin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
now on Metfromin Er 500mg 3 @ bedtime
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-16 15:31:34
Question/Comment:
not currently on this medication formulation
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-16 15:30:25
Question/Comment:
I am an 80 yr.old male with diabetes 2. I take 500 mg. ER twice per day. and have for about 2 yrs. I have noticed that my tasting ability had diminished about 1/2 and I am wondering if this pill could be causing this condition? My Dr. says he has never had anyone of his patients complain of this. Have any of you had this condition occur??
81 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-29 11:44:42
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
No iGuard members have reported loss of taste while taking metformin. Overall, up to 30% of patients report a metallic taste while taking metformin, which may alter your tasting ability. This side effect seems to be controlled by using the lowest possible dose of metformin and increasing very slowly. If the altered taste is affecting your quality of life, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss trying a different medication.
Posted: 2009-10-24 01:26:49
Question/Comment:
My doctor recently took me off Byetta at my request. Now I am taking 4 mg of glimiperide per day 2 in the morning and 2 at night. I am afraid I might be taking too much. I take 36 units of Lantus, Metform 500 mg. 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening and carvedilol 6.5 mg. twice a day. Sometimes I think I feel dizzy and of course I have diahrea a lot. Should I cut back on the glimiperide?
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 10:37:54
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The best determination for controlling your blood sugar is to self test your blood glucose and record it several times during the day. In addition, your doctor can perform a blood test to determine your long term glucose control. You should not make changes to your therapy until you have reported your symptoms to your doctor and determined the best course of medication for you to continue. Symptoms like dizziness could be signs of hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low) and you should contact your doctor to report them immediately and seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Posted: 2009-10-01 20:16:22
Question/Comment:
My kidney Dr. took me of Metformin....Said it was not good for the kidneys. After going off it I realized my eye problem I had got better...I assume Metformin had caused my eye problem also....Getting along well with out it...
69 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-24 13:51:01
Answer/Reply:
Is Metformin bad for your kidneys? I've been taking 100mg in the a.m. & 1000mb in the pm, for 1 month.
51 year old female
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-16 23:25:23
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
142
Patient Comments about
Metformin