Metformin is an oral medication of the biguanid class that was developed for patients with type 2 diabetes and lowers blood glucose (sugar). It is drug of choice for overweight and obese people. Metformin lows insulin resistance. It acts by increasing the sensitivity of liver, muscle, fat, and other tissues to the uptake and effects of insulin produced by pancreas. This helps to lower the level of sugar in the blood.
It can be used alone or as a part of combined therapy. As was determinated with clinical studies Metformin helps to reduce the complications of type 2 diabetes such as heart disease, blindness and kidney disease.
Metformin also can be used for treatment of the women with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Side effects
As any medicine Metformin has side effects. Some of them are quiet widely spread (e.g. diarrhea, nausea and vomiting) and some occur more rare (e.g. gas, weakness, indigestion, abdominal (or stomach) discomfort).
According to data of multiple clinical studies side effects revealed in 1 to 5% of patients. Among them:
- Taste changes (smack of the metal)
- Abnormal stools
- Muscle pain
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nail problems
- Loss of appetite
- Increased sweating
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, chills, and weakness
- Flushing(a reddening of the skin, especially in the face)
- Feelings of a forcefully or rapidly beating heart (heart palpitations)
- Asthenia
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- General feeling of being unwell
- Increased homocysteine levels
- Malabsorption of vitamin B12 that can lead to megaloblastic anemia
- Unusual drowsiness
The most serious and dangerous side effects of the Metformin are
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
- Lactic acidosis (increased lactic acid production)
The first one condition called hypoglycemia develops when sugar’s level in your blood drops too low to meet your needs. It can develop very quickly. Symptoms of low blood sugar, include sweating, shakiness, extreme hunger, dizziness, cold sweats, blurry vision, changes in behavior, (such as irritability) loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, seizures. If you don’t quickly eat hard candy, drink juice, or ingest something with sugar in it, more severe symptoms may appear. These include sudden confusion and may even go as far as to cause fainting.
The second possible serious side effect is hyperglycemia – condition that can happen when sugar in your blood rise too high. If so you can experience increased hunger, very dry mouth, extreme thirst, increased urination, blurred vision, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting. If you don’t treat this dangerous condition quickly, your body can dive into a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis and you might start having a hard time to breathe and even pass out after a few moments.
And the third possible and the most dangerous side effect is lactic acidosis. Signs of lactic acidosis include feeling tired or weak, muscle pain, trouble breathing, abdominal pain (or stomach pain), feeling cold, cold or blue hands and feet, dizziness or lightheadedness, slow or irregular heartbeat, persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, shortness of breath, an enlarged or tender liver, weight loss. This complication is very rare. Lactic acidosis is not developing in otherwise healthy people because their body can deal with excess of the lactic acid. The majority of these cases seem to be related to comorbid conditions. Because Metformin decreases liver uptake of lactate, any condition that may precipitate lactic acidosis is a contraindication to its use. Common causes of increased lactic acid production are alcoholism, heart failure, respiratory disease (due to inadequate oxygenation of tissues) and kidney disease.
Also if you are taking this medicine you can expierence signs of an allergic reaction, including:
- an unexplained skin rash
- itching
- hives
- wheezing or trouble breathing
- unexplained swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- tightness in the chest
Side effects in children
In clinical trials Metformin in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes, the profile of side effects was similar to that observed in adults.
Conclusions
You may experience some or none of the Metformin side effects mentioned above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your doctor to know beforehand if you will have adverse effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects of the Metformin. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that “just does not seem right.” While it may not be a Metformin side effect, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem. And don’t forget that some side effects can be very dangerous and you may need urgent medical help. So be sure that you have discussed all possible effects with your doctor.