Even though the cases of diabetes are increasing in the United States and elsewhere in the world. The heartwarming news is that there are multiple ways of preventing the ailment. Well, one of the preventive ways of averting the disease is by taking medications. Although many diabetes drugs exist, metformin is one of the effective medicines. The reason is that it is ideal for treating people living with the condition. Treatment aside, it can also help at-risk people avert the highly dreaded ailment. In this guide, you will learn all the information you need to have before using the drug.
About Metformin
The drug helps at-risk people to manage the health condition. When someone is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the person cannot produce insulin. Better still, one can simply say that the body doesn’t make enough insulin to help it work effectively. As a result, the person develops hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood cells). By improving how that the human body handles insulin, the drug helps at-risk people significantly bring down their blood sugar levels.
More often than not, health experts recommend the drug when they think exercise and balanced diets are not enough for managing the situation (high blood sugar level). With more and more women developing PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome (a hormonal disorder that leads to enlarged ovaries with the outer edges having some cysts), this medication serves as succor. In precise terms, such women can use metformin to lower their insulin and blood sugar levels. In the end, they can stimulate their ovulation. The medication is readily available in liquid and tablets. Either way, any at-risk person can take it according to a doctor’s description.
Types of Metformin
At this point, you need to learn the two types of metformin – graded according to tablets.
Standard-release tablets: This is the type quickly reacts with your body. Most times, it is prescribed to make the patient take them several times in one day. In some instances, it is called immediate-release metformin. Once you take it, the drug works with your liver’s enzymes to lower glucose absorption from meals. Additionally, it does not cause hyperglycemia.
Slow-release tablets: On the other hand, this is a type of tablet that takes a while to dissolve whenever it is consumed. Most times, doctors do not recommend them. With just one dose of this pill, you okay for the day. Still, you have to take it with an evening meal.
Regardless of your condition, your physician or pharmacist has the exclusive right to prescribe the right one for you. They will also explain the appropriate dosage for you. Keep in mind that metformin is readily available in liquid for children and other people who may find it difficult to swallow the pills.
Metformin: Key Facts
Aside from adults, children can consume the drug. If your child is ten years old or older, then they can safely take it. However, kids should only take it under the watchful observation of a medical doctor. Much as children can take the medication, some people should never take it. For instance, those who:
Have an allergic reaction from metformin are not encouraged to continue taking it
Already have uncontrolled diabetes, breathing difficulties, and circulation problems
Have liver, kidney problems, or other severe infections
Have still suffer from or have been treated for heart failures/attacks in recent times
Drink plenty of alcohol
Although metformin is a lifesaver, no one can pretend that it has no side-effects. According to medical pundits, people at risk of developing the ailment should take it with meals. Doing so will help reduce the drug’s side-effects. Another cogent point is that you should always swallow the tablet with a glass of water, never chew it. The cheering news is that these effects don’t manifest in everyone.
The British National Health Service (NHS), some metformin side-effects include diarrhea, loss of appetite, awful mouth taste, nausea, and stomach ache. On the other hand, the agency notes that the drug does not cause weight gain, which is common with other medications. There are severe side-effects like liver problems, soreness, red tongue, skin itching, mouth ulcer, etc. Nonetheless, these conditions are rare, with official stats pegging it at 1 out of 10,000 people.
For the right dosage, the agency recommends a maximum daily dose of 2,000 mg every day. A good example is 4 x 500 mg tablets. Overdose of metformin can cause several health problems, including stomach ache, diarrhea, coldness, fatigue, coldness, breathing difficulties, etc. Given that it comes in different strengths, you need to work with your doctor’s prescription before taking the drug.
Conclusion
So far, you have seen that achieving low blood sugar is no rocket science because you can that using metformin. However, it is worthy of note that medical experts always advise people at risk of developing it to combine the drug with exercise and balanced dieting. In other words, it is never applied alone. But then, there is a situation where a patient can suffer from hypo (hypoglycemia), which should be avoided. It usually happens when you combine metformin with other diabetes medicines like insulin and gliclazide. Despite that, you can save the situation using fast sources of carbs like fruit juice, sweets, and sugar cubes. Some hypo signs include sweating, confusion or mood change, anger, dizziness, trembling, etc. Moving ahead, you have seen the most crucial details of metformin. Caution: You should never buy the medicine over the counter without a doctor’s instruction.
References
What is a Hypo? Hypo Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-a-hypo.html
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Research Group. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): description of lifestyle intervention. Diabetes Care 2002; 25:2165.
Metformin. National Health Service, UK. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/
Sussman JB, Kent DM, Nelson JP, Hayward RA. Improving diabetes prevention with benefit-based tailored treatment: Risk-based reanalysis of Diabetes Prevention Program. BMJ 2015;350:h454.
Ratner RE, Christophi CA, Metzger BE, et al. Prevention of diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes: effects of metformin and lifestyle interventions. J Clin Endocrinol Metab2008; 93:4774.