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:
- 2010-Mar-21 12:59 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Metformin
- Glucophage
- Metformin HCl
- Metformin ER
- Glucophage XR
- Fortamet
- Glumetza
- Fortamet ER
- Riomet
- Orabet
- Glucamet
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- 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*
- 11,500,000
- 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 iGuard.org 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 is currently tracking more than 76,600 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 | 88% | 
|
| Insulin Resistance | 11% | 
|
| Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | 5% |
|
| Weight Loss | 2% |
|
How well does Metformin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 76,600 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)
- 76%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Metformin outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Metformin.
Common Side Effects of Metformin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 76,600 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.
25% of patients experience side-effects on Metformin
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Metformin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bloating/Gas, Constipation, Cough, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Dryness, Fatigue, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Hypoglycemia, Incontinence, Increased Appetite, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Light Sensitivity, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Palpitations, Weakness, Weight Gain, Weight Loss
Global Patient Feedback for Metformin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking 2 500mgs of Metformin, one at 11am and one at 11pm, it completely has my diabetes under control, along with carb counting, I have not noticed any significate smell, I just smelled the bottle and it has a hint of smell but nothing really bad. My diabetes has been under control 100% of the time, and the diabetic center told me 50% was acceptable.
57 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 12:24:40
Question/Comment:
Article from msnbc.com
Stinky diabetes drug turns off patients
Medication's fishy smell may explain why many stop taking it, doctors say.
"Although reaction to the odor of metformin has not been reported in the medical literature, hundreds of postings to message boards on the Internet note the peculiar odor of the drug, which is also well known to pharmacists," they added.
"Trial of a film-coated, extended-release formulation may be a reasonable approach in such cases," they said.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-08 17:33:23
Question/Comment:
Can anyone tell me if it is normal for this medication to stink so bad that I have an extremly hard time ingesting it and I have to take 2 500mg pills twice a day. The last batch I had didn't have this smell, no one in the house can stand to be near me when I take these pills... my daughter runs from the room gaging when she catches a whiff.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 22:26:57
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Metformin can have many side effects when it is ingested, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Typically these side effects would not occur from smelling the medication. Metformin has a strong signature scent, but it should not be overpowering. You should have the medication checked at your pharmacy to ensure you have the correct medicine.
Posted: 2010-03-09 22:52:23
Question/Comment:
I take two 500mg metformin in the morning and in the evening and my sugars are still high.. also the medication smells SO BAD that I seriously have trouble swallowing it and not throwing it back up everyday, but I do gag extremly bad. Is this normal? I don't remember the last batch smelling this horrid.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 22:10:47
iGuard Answer/Reply:
You should followup with your doctor to evaluate your current dose of metformin as there may be changes needed to help control your increased sugar levels.
Some patients have informally reported a smell from their metformin. Metformin has a distinct smell. There are several manufacturers of metformin, and the inactive ingredients or fillers may be contributing to the different smell. You should followup with your pharmacist to ensure you have the correct medication or to determine the generic manufacturer and review an alternate supplier if necessary. If you are not able to keep the metformin down, that may be the cause of your elevated blood sugars.
Posted: 2010-03-09 23:05:51
Question/Comment:
I HAVENOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH METFORM AND I BEEN ON THEM ABOUT FOUR YEAR .
Posted: 2010-03-06 18:14:50
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.
399
Patient Comments about
Metformin