Longitudinal clinical studies have indicated that metformin may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in diabetic patients [2, 14]. Metformin treatment improved cognitive function and produce antidepressant effects in diabetic patients with depression [3].
Metformin can cross the blood-brain barrier and have specific effects on the central nervous system, although the exact mechanism and sites of its action remain uncertain. In addition, conflicting information exists about the beneficial versus adverse effects of metformin on the brain.
As detailed above, metformin has been reported to improve memory in some brain disorders. However, long-term metformin administration to healthy animals has been shown to impair memory function (Alhowail et al., 2019; Alharbi et al., 2020).
CONCLUSIONS. In our series, patients with diabetes who were taking metformin had worse cognitive performance than participants who were not taking metformin.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the most common side effects people have when they first start taking metformin. These problems usually go away over time. You can reduce these effects by taking metformin with a meal.
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.
Reversal of insulin resistance by metformin improves depression, anxiety, and general functioning in a large proportion of patients with TRBD.
This study has recognized a positive impact of Metformin on the mood instability and energy levels of PCOS patients.
Previous research from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that the use of metformin in people with type 2 diabetes was linked with slower cognitive decline and lower rates of dementia.
The kidneys process and clear the medication out of your system through your urine. If your kidneys don't function properly, there's concern that metformin can build up in your system and cause a condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is when there's a dangerous amount of lactic acid in the body.
1. How long does it take metformin to work? Metformin is a long-term medication. While not everyone with diabetes needs to take medication forever, many people will continue taking metformin for life.
Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.
Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Metformin also increases your body's response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood.
In addition, metformin is a first-line drug for Type 2 diabetes in past 60 years for its safety [8,53]. Therefore, metformin is a promising antidepressant to be used in the clinic for patients with depression.
Metformin increased brain serotonin by reducing circulating levels of branched-chain amino acids, a type of amino acid that decreases the levels of tryptophan entering the brain.
Metformin ameliorates stress-induced depression-like behaviors via enhancing the expression of BDNF by activating AMPK/CREB-mediated histone acetylation. J Affect Disord.
Atypical antipsychotic medications are notorious for inducing weight gain and metabolic syndrome. To reduce these effects, psychiatrists are encouraged to prescribe metformin to affected patients.
They noted that in observational studies there was a significant association of exposure to metformin with the risk of cancer death, all malignancies, liver, colorectal, pancreas, stomach, and esophagus.
The use of metformin by non-diabetics stems from some evidence that metformin can decrease inflammation, protect against cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, minimize cancer risk and progression, and prolong life.
How to check if metformin is working. A medical provider can run a few tests to see how metformin is affecting your health: Blood work can check if your glucose, insulin, and HbA1C levels are in range. If they are, the medication is working.
You'll have more energy as your body uses insulin more efficiently. Common diabetes-related symptoms, such as blurry vision, being thirsty all of the time, or having to pee a lot, improve or disappear.
Metformin can be an important part of an effective diabetes treatment plan. But lowering your dose of metformin or stopping it altogether can be safe if your diabetes is in remission. If you want to stop taking diabetes medications, you should talk with a doctor or healthcare professional first.