Top 12 Metformin Side Effects
Metformin (INN, pronounced /mɛtˈfɔrmɨn/, met-fawr-min; originally sold as Glucophage) is an oral antidiabetic drug in the biguanide class. It is the first-line drug of choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, in particular, in overweight and obese people and those with normal kidney function. (source: Metformin-Wikipedia)
Here are the top 12 Metformin side effects you should know before you consult with your doctor. And feel free to share this link with your friends or people you know that suffer from type 2 diabetes.
#1 – Metformin and Alcohol Consumption
photo by Darwin Bell
In most cases, diabetics are recommended to avoid consuming alcohol. Beer, wine and mixed drinks tend to be very high in sugar, obviously less than ideal for someone managing elevated blood sugar levels. Additionally, liver function is closely tied to insulin and blood sugar levels. Because the alcohol part of any adult beverage must be processed in the liver, an ever greater potential problem is further unbalance the sensitive body chemistry that is already at risk.
If you consume alcohol while treating diabetes with Metformin, your risks and the occurrence of potential problems increase. Some doctors do a great job of letting their patients know this is a problem. Other times it does not get emphasized enough.
#2 – Metformin and Contrast X-rays
photo by woodleywonderworks
A contrast X-ray or scan is designed to increase the definition that can be seen through the image taken of an injury or potentially damaged area. Common applications of contrast are knee injuries and colon imaging. In some cases the liquid dye is swallowed and in other situations it’s injected into the joint or area to be examined. A few of the things used to make the dyes are extremely low radiation products. More commonly, the dye contains a high amount of iodine.
#3 – Metformin and Heart Attack
photo by gandhiji40
A complex profile of issues leads to a rare occurrence of heart attack as a side effect from using Metformin. You may want to consider testing for some of these factors. One of the reasons this happens is that many heart conditions remain undiagnosed.
Even with the complex picture involved in heart attack related to diabetes and the usage of Metformin, there is one factor that can checked, regardless any other concern. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the body are a strong indicator of risk.
Metformin side effects should never be neglected…
#4 – Metformin and Vascular Collapse
photo by perpetualplum
Independently, vascular collapse is a medical event, not a disease. Literally, the edges of blood vessels fall into each other greatly constricting blood flow. In most cases, this response occurs because of another problem. If blood volume is low, your body automatically protects itself by reducing blood flow through your extremities such as hands, arms, legs and feet. The additional blood is routed to critical functions such the brain and other organs. One example of the phenomenon is how someone who is in shock gets very cold. This is one symptom of this response.
#5 – Metformin and Beta Blockers
photo by ninasaurusrex
Beta Blockers and Metformin can be Bad News. Beta Blocker medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure levels. Many people on Metformin are on blood pressure medication or may need it in the future. Some experts estimate that up to 30% of the population has high blood pressure. Most of those people don’t even know it.
Beta Blockers bring down blood pressure by taking two actions. First, they form a chemical bond with receiptors in the brain and the heart. This blocks signals indicating that a higher level of blood pressure is needed. Not all forms of blood pressure are resolved this way. Beta Blockers can also interact with the heart and blood vessels to reduce blood pressure levels.
#6 – Metformin and Calcium Channel Blockers
photo by grongar
One of the problems of taking Metformin is taking other medications at the same time. Diabetes frequently happens along with other conditions. In fact, your risk of developing other illnesses such as heart disease or blood pressure issues increases due to being diagnosed with diabetes. For those who have related high blood pressure and heart problems, a Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) medication may be prescribed.
The group of Calcium Channel Blockers act directly upon the heart and blood vessels. As a result of the medication, blood vessels relax. This reduces the pressure of the blood moving through the body. The reduced pressure relieves stress on the heart muscle.
photo by law_keven
The combination of a diuretic medication and Metformin is usually problematic. Diuretcis include drugs such as Lasix (Furosemide), Lozol, HydroMax, and many others. Although there are main types of diuretics, for someone with diabetes, concern is justified regardless which type is prescribed.
#8 – Metformin and Lactic Acidosis
photo by mj + dhd
Let’s start with the condition of Lactic Acidosis. In the simplest terms lactic acidosis happens when lactate (not lactic acid) builds up in the blood stream faster than it can be removed. The build up usually happens due to a low pH level in tissues in the body. Due to this low level, oxygen can’t get to the tissues. In order to survive, sugars are broken down inefficiently. This process replaces the natural desired glucose process that creates ATP. The body using glucose fuel without the benefit of adequate oxygen, lactate results. When this product builds up a damaging, toxic situation occurs.
#9 – Metformin and Hypoglycemia
photo by land_camera_land_camera
Low blood sugar is actually a side effect, a condition that can be caused by the use of Metformin. Mind find this surprising. Sometimes people feel that if high blood sugar is a bad thing then surely low blood sugar is a good thing. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case. Balanced blood sugar is the goal. For some people, Metformin causes the side effect of hypoglycemia. The mechanism causing the problem is key to understanding your treatment and the course of Diabetes.
#10 – Metformin and Kidney Problems
If kidney problems are not found early, they tend to become self-perpetuating. This can lead to many difficulties such as dialysis and the need for an organ transplant. This is a tough road for diabetics as very specific weight goals must be reached and level blood sugar levels must be maintained to qualify. Even with long-term dialysis, this is an outcome you truly want to avoid.
#11 – Metformin and Pregnancy
photo by mahalie
It almost seems that pregnancy has the ability to teach your body how to be diabetic. Hormones produced by the placenta that are needed by the baby reduce the ability of the mother’s body to manage insulin. As a result, her system becomes insulin resistant.
#12 – Metformin and Vitamin B Deficiency
photo by Alex E. Proimos
Reduced Vitamin B12 levels are associated with taking Metformin. Unlike some of the other side effects that seem to crop up early if they are going to happen, Vitamin B12 deficiencies may also develop over the long-term. Metformin is the primary drug prescribed for people recently diagnosed with Diabetes and it is widely used. As a result, the challenge to have adequate levels of B12 could be very widespread.
There are other Metformin Side Effects. These are just 12 of the most notables we wanted to share with you right here on this page. Please share it with others in need. Thank you!