Metformin Therapy Center

Many of our patients have intolerable GI side effects from metformin. We use ER to try to decrease these, but that doesn’t always work. If they have these symptoms, I recommend they take it slow and take it after they eat. If they still have problems, I recommend they break the tablet to 250mg, even though the label may say one shouldn’t break the tablet.

Scientists believe drug commonly prescribed for T2 could be routinely taken by T1 patients.

Metformin use has been associated with significant disturbances in acid-base balance.

In a controlled trial, 600 overweight and obese people with prediabetes were given metformin.

Is once-daily delayed release metformin better than the other forms of metformin?

The diabetes drug may have a beneficial effect on neurodegenerative diseases.

According to more than 200 studies involving 1.4 million patients, metformin reduces heart disease risk in diabetes patients more effectively than its competitors.

Female, 57 years of age, type 2 diabetes, metformin 1,000mg twice daily for 12 years, came in with weakness, anemia, tingling of fingers and toes. Her A1C had always been below 7%. Some in my office thought she had developed diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I could not disagree, but I also knew metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

Better understanding of drug’s mechanism of action can lead the way to new treatment options for heart disease in diabetes patients.

Woman, 67 years of age, newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with an A1C of 7.8%. Met with PCP who prescribed metformin ER and referred patient for diabetes education. Patient made some dietary and physical activity changes at first, but upon return visit her A1C was 8.5%. She reported she did not take the metformin. “I can’t swallow big pills. The bottle said not to crush or break the tablets. They were just too big to swallow. So then I just gave up on everything.”