Metformin and Diuretics
Metformin and Diuretics – discover what most doctors won’t tell you, unless you ask them, or find the right type 2 diabetes doctor.
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.
Diurectics are typically used for two different purposes. One is to influence and reduce high blood pressure. By removing fluid from the body, blood pressure often goes down. The other common use is for primary effect: to reduce the amount of fluid retained in the body. People with conditions such as heart disease and even diabetes often struggle with swollen extremeties. Diuretics are sometimes used to reduce this problem. However, when combined with the most common drug used to control blood sugar, the effectiveness of Metformin is reduced.
Metformin and Diuretics
One of the reasons Metformin is less effective while you’re taking a diuretic is simply how the medicine works. The basic form of Metformin, rather than the extended release, does it’s work during a very short window of time in your body. This is clear in the dosage and is clearly reported by the manufacturer. As reported by the manufacturer 90% of the medication passes out the body via urine in the first 24 hours. The strongest period of activity for the drug ranges between a little over six hours and is completed around seventeen hours.
You maybe asking yourself, “What does this have to do with a drug like Lasix?”
Diuretics get the fluid in your body moving faster. Metformin moves through your blood and plasma. Plasma and blood both consist primarily of fluid. Some experts call each one a fluid-based matrix (allowing them to hold and carry things like Metformin). Diuretics move fluid out of the body at a drastic rate. The resulting effectiveness of your diabetes medication goes down. The drug simply isn’t in your system as long as usual so it cannot do the normal amount of work.
Throughout your treatment for diabetes, the goal is keeping blood sugar as level as possible. Spikes up and down are believed to make the disease worse over time. Many people feel the results of taking a diuretic in as little as thirty minutes. The impact may last a couple of hours depending on the specific prescription and your body. With the fast response and powerful impact, it can be hard to predict exactly how any one person’s blood sugar will be affected.
The extra strain on your kidneys is also worthy of concern. More Metformin will be sent out of your body without being used. In most cases patients are recommended to increase the dosage of Metformin to offset this problem. This is best used a temporary solution to avoid other complications.
There you go. Metformin and Diuretics information you should know, before your doctor sees you.
