What can I take instead of metformin for diabetes?

People who do not like the side effects of metformin can ask their doctor about other options.
  • Prandin (repaglinide) ...
  • Canagliflozin (Invokana) ...
  • Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) ...
  • Empagliflozin (Jardiance) ...
  • Actos (pioglitazone) ...
  • Herbal options.

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Is there an alternative to metformin for diabetes?

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 ( ...

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How can I control type 2 diabetes without metformin?

Ways to control blood sugar levels without medication
  1. Pursue weight management. In people with overweight or obesity, significant weight loss may reduce blood sugar from the diabetic to the nondiabetic range. ...
  2. Eat a healthy diet. ...
  3. Get regular exercise. ...
  4. Stop smoking. ...
  5. Manage stress.

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Why do doctors no longer prescribe metformin?

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.

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What happens when you take metformin for years?

Proven long-term side effects of metformin

Of those discussed above, low vitamin B12 levels is the only proven long-term metformin side effect. But, as mentioned, low vitamin B12 levels can cause other problems, including anemia. That's why it's important to go for all recommended blood tests while taking metformin.

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Metformin Alternatives: You Can Take WITH or WITHOUT Metformin!

30 related questions found

What drink reduces blood sugar?

These 3 Drinks Help Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced
  • Water. Water indirectly lowers our blood sugar by giving us the sensation of feeling full. ...
  • Unsweetened teas. Unsweetened teas contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower our overall blood sugars. ...
  • Black coffee.

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Which is better Ozempic or metformin?

Ozempic and metformin help most people to lower their average blood sugar levels (as measured by an A1c blood test), and these effects are quite significant. Clinical trials have established that (at its maximum dose) metformin can help decrease A1c by 1.5%, while an average dose of Ozempic can decrease A1c by 1.4%.

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Is there a better pill than metformin?

There are six other major classes of blood-sugar lowering drugs used in Type 2 diabetes. Of these, the SGLT2 inhibitors (short for sodium-glucose co-transporter) are emerging as the next best drug after metformin.

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Is it true that metformin is not good for you?

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.

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What is the safest drug for type 2 diabetes?

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).

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What happens if I stop taking metformin?

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.

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Can cinnamon replace metformin?

As a result, cinnamon seems to be as effective as metformin in increasing the Insulin sensitivity. In line with this study, Maleki et al. showed that HDL and insulin sensitivity were increased by the cinnamon supplementation while LDL, TG, and blood glucose were decreased in patients with PCOS (17).

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What foods should you avoid while taking metformin?

As much as possible, avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, desserts, and snacks like chips or crackers. Eating foods that can spike your blood sugar will not necessarily make the metformin not work, however, it will increase the burden it has to work against.

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Can I take Ozempic instead of metformin?

If metformin is not helping you meet your blood sugar goals, your medical provider may also recommend you take Ozempic.

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Does Ozempic really work for diabetes?

Ozempic is an FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It helps improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and is proven to lower hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood glucose over time, according to research cited on Ozempic's site.

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What are the downsides of Ozempic?

Downsides

Common side effects of Ozempic include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Ozempic needs to be given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous). However, self-administration is easy to learn for most people.

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What 3 drinks should diabetics avoid?

People with type 2 diabetes should avoid beverages that have high sugar content, such as:
  • Alcoholic drinks. ...
  • Sports drinks/energy drinks. ...
  • Sweetened and unsweetened fruit juices. ...
  • Sodas. ...
  • Sweet tea.

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Is Coke Zero good for diabetics?

A. No, zero sugar soda uses artificial sweeteners, which increases people's weight. Increased weight, in turn, is linked to the worsening of diabetes. Hence, zero soda is not suitable for diabetes.

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What 10 foods should diabetics avoid?

10 Foods To Avoid With Diabetes
  • Sugar-sweetened drinks. Sugary beverages are probably the worst thing diabetics could buy at the store. ...
  • Trans fats. ...
  • Simple carbs (pasta, white bread, white rice) ...
  • Yogurt with added sugar. ...
  • Store-bought breakfast cereals. ...
  • Honey and maple syrup. ...
  • Dried fruit. ...
  • Fruit juice.

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Can diabetic patient eat banana?

A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.

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What are the symptoms of liver damage from metformin?

Clinically apparent liver injury from metformin is very rare, fewer than a dozen cases having been described in the literature despite widespread use of this agent for several decades. The liver injury usually appears after 1 to 8 weeks, typically with symptoms of weakness and fatigue followed by jaundice.

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