Can long-term metformin use cause memory loss and dementia? It's unclear. Researchers have been investigating the connection between metformin and memory loss for over a decade. Several studies have highlighted a possible link between metformin use and a higher risk of developing dementia.
Metformin side effects include diabetic neuropathy, brain fog, and digestive issues. You can address them through diet, Vitamin B12, CoQ10, and exercise.
In a clinical study, chronic metformin treatment significantly improved cognitive function in female diabetic or prediabetic patients with MDD [77].
Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Diabetes Is Associated With Metformin.
Numerous observational studies have found metformin use to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia among individuals with diabetes, while others have found an increased risk. However, time-related biases may exist in observational studies and result in spurious associations.
Long-term side effects
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
Metformin Effective In Treating Depression
Metformin helps in reducing depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin, the happiness hormone. Even more astounding, data suggests that women who take metformin may have a staggering 3.3 times lower risk of developing major depression.
Severe Side Effects of Metformin
Anemia: Metformin can interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12, which plays an important role in healthy red blood cells. If this happens, it can lead to anemia, which may cause symptoms like extreme tiredness, feeling cold all the time, and dizziness.
Large population-based case-control studies have indicated that chronic metformin was associated with impaired cognitive performance [22] and greater risk of neurodegenerative diseases including AD [23, 24].
More serious side effects are rare. They include severe allergic reactions and a condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. The risk for this is higher among people with significant kidney disease, so doctors tend to avoid prescribing metformin for them.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
Stomach trouble is the most common metformin side effect. About 25% of people have problems like: Bloating. Gas.
Metformin associated lactic acidosis (MALA) was the most commonly reported adverse effect present in 224 (92.6%) patients. Most of the patients presented with gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms and a significant number of patients had severe metabolic acidosis and hyperlactatemia.
Common metformin alternatives are SGLT-2 Inhibitors (Invokana, Farxiga, Jardiance, and Steglatro), GLP – 1 Receptor Agonists ( Bydureon, Byetta, Ozempic, Adlyxin, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza), Sulfonylureas or SFUs { DiaBeta, Glynase, or Micronase (glyburide or glibenclamide) Amaryl (glimepiride) Diabinese ( ...
If you eat a lot of sugar while taking Metformin, your body will have to work harder to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range, and the Metformin will not be as effective for weight loss. However, if it happens infrequently, you should not suffer too many negative side effects. The key is moderation.
The most common side effects are feeling and being sick, diarrhoea, stomach ache and loss of appetite. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also a common side effect of taking metformin in higher doses or for long periods. Metformin does not cause weight gain, unlike some other diabetes medicines.
Metformin therapy decreased the occurrence risk of cognitive decline in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Metformin may produce antidepressant effects through improvement of cognitive function among depressed patients with diabetes mellitus.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
Metformin alone (Glumetza®): At first, 500 mg once a day taken with the evening meal. Then, your doctor may increase your dose if needed until your blood sugar is controlled. However, the dose is usually not more than 2000 mg per day. Metformin with a sulfonylurea: Your doctor will determine the dose of each medicine.
However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving metformin. This medicine is not recommended in patients 80 years of age and older who have kidney problems.
Why Shouldn't You Stop Taking Metformin? Metformin works by decreasing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood, making your body more sensitive to insulin's effects. If you suddenly discontinue use, it can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels.
The current drug labeling strongly recommends against metformin use in some patients whose kidneys do not work normally because use of metformin in these patients can increase the risk of developing a serious and potentially deadly condition called lactic acidosis, in which too much lactic acid builds up in the blood.