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.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends metformin for some people with prediabetes. Generally, if you're prescribed metformin, you'll be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it.
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.
Can you stop taking metformin? Don't stop taking your metformin unless your doctor recommends you do. Starting a long-term prescription can be challenging and you might feel like you want to stop taking your tablets, but this isn't a good idea.
If you stop taking metformin abruptly, your health may suffer. You may experience side effects such as higher blood sugars, an increased A1c, and even weight gain. Over time, higher blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes complications, including: Retinopathy and blindness.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
GLP – 1 Receptor Agonists (Bydureon, Byetta, Ozempic, Adlyxin, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza) Usage: This is another alternative to metformin. This comes in both oral and injection forms. GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe for kidney patients as it reduces risks of kidney damage and also support heart health.
Physiologically, metformin acts directly or indirectly on the liver to lower glucose production, and acts on the gut to increase glucose utilisation, increase GLP-1 and alter the microbiome.
An effective substitute for Metformin is a compound known as berberine or berberine hydrochloride, which is obtained from many plant species, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric.
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.
As such, it is recommended that metformin should be discontinued when the eGFR falls to 30 ml/minute/1.73 m2 or below [3], in anticipation of a higher risk of lactic acidosis.
Metformin has been referred to as a miracle drug due to its relatively low cost, minimal risks, and ability to ward off diabetes and potentially some effects of ageing. It is most commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but it has also been found to offer them cardiovascular benefits.
Metformin has a black box warning for lactic acidosis — a condition where too much lactic acid builds up in the blood. It's a serious problem and can lead to death. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
If your diabetes remains hard to manage even after you begin taking metformin, or you cannot tolerate metformin or do not want to take it, that's when a GLP-1RA or SGLT2i might come in. Studies have shown that both medications are safe and effective at lowering blood glucose when compared to a placebo.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.
Official answer. Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
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.
In conclusion, metformin use is associated with a reduced dementia risk. Dementia can be caused by vascular etiology or neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's disease). It is a syndrome characterized by deterioration in memory and loss of daily self-care ability.
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.