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-07 8:34 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-07 8:28 AM
Other Names
- Fortamet
- Fortamet ER
- Glucophage
- Glucophage XR
- Glumetza
- Metformin
- Metformin ER
- Metformin HCl
- Riomet
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*
- 11,690,000
- 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 67,500 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 67,500 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 67,500 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:
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
Question/Comment:
It seems like everything my father (74 now) gets, I (50 now) get. He had a disk rupture in his lower back and several years later I did too. He got diabetes and now I have it too. He was taking Metformin and his kidneys have started failing. His dotor took him off Metformin and told him that the Metformin hurt his kidneys. I am on Metformin and now wonder if I will have the same fate or if I get taken off of the Metformin and put on something else will I be alright?
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-07 13:11:06
Question/Comment:
I have taken metformin for a couple of years and lately I started having chest pain that felt like really bad heartburn. So bad I'd have to get up and walk it off and move my arms back and forth at chest level to try and get the pain to ease. This seemed to help some. After about 30 min of this exercise and the walking the pain would ease up and I'd be very weak. So I stopped taking the Metformin and changed my diet and my sugar is doing pretty well as long as I eat right.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-29 04:35:42
Answer/Reply:
Possibly you are getting a bit of reflux from the Metformin. Try drinking a large amount of water when the pain first comes on. Perhaps 5 or 6 large glasses of water should be plenty. If you are having a touch of reflux, the water will wash it down and the irritation in your esophagus should be gone. If it works, it's a good treatment for you when ever you get that feeling.... also taking away the fear of heart distress. I've tried to "walk off" pain before and even took large doses of Tums, all of which did not work for me. The water, however, worked quickly and the only thing it cost me was an extra trip to the bathroom later to void the extra water.
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-30 23:59:07
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Patient Comments about
Metformin