Metformin Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Metformin side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Rare Metformin side effects may include Lactic Acidosis, taste disturbance, usually a metallic taste, rash, and itching.

Metformin Side Effects Reporting

If you experience any Metformin side effects not mentioned above you should report it to your primary health care provider or FDA 1-800-FDA-1088 in the United States, Health Canada 1-866-225-0709 in Canada, MHRA 020 3080 6000 in UK, or TGA 1800 020 653 in Australia.


Metformin is a type of antidiabetic drug known as a biguanide. Metformin works in a number of ways to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood of people with type II diabetes mellitus. Firstly, Metformin reduces the amount of glucose produced by cells in the liver. Secondly, Metformin boosts the sensitivity of body cells to insulin. This helps the cells to remove glucose from the blood more effectively. Metformin also delays absorption of glucose from the intestines into the blood after food intake. Metformin reduces blood glucose levels both between and directly after meals. Metformin is used as a first line of defense against type II Diabetes Mellitus.
Metformin is used when diet and exercise have failed to control blood glucose levels. People with diabetes have a deficiency or absence of a hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for the control of glucose in the blood. In type II diabetes the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or the cells of the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin would normally make the cells remove glucose from the blood, hence in type II diabetes blood glucose levels can rise significantly. Metformin can also be used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood glucose.

METFORMIN OVERDOSE

Metformin overdose symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, drowsiness, and hypoglycemia. The potentially life-threatening complication from Metformin overdose is lactic acidosis. In case of Metformin overdose, seek medical help right away. If you miss a dose of Metformin, take it as soon as you can. However, if it is just about time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and go on with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose of Metformin.

Metformin and Pregnancy

Metformin should not be used during pregnancy. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, or are planning a pregnancy, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. Control of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is usually achieved using insulin, because it provides a more stable control of blood glucose. Metformin may pass into breast milk in small amounts. Nursing mother should switch to bottle-feed while taking Metformin.

Metformin Warning

When used on its own, Metformin does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). However, your blood glucose levels may drop dangerously if you take Metformin in combination with other antidiabetic medicines.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache and or nausea.

Metformin can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood.
Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur in people with decreased kidney function. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly on an empty stomach or if you have liver problems, can also increase the risk of lactic acidosis.

Your kidney function should be monitored regularly while you are taking Metformin.

Consult your physician/dentist if you are due to have surgery/dental work under a general anesthetic. In these situations blood glucose is normally controlled by insulin, your doctor/dentist may ask you to stop taking Metformin 48 hours before surgery/dental work.

Metformin should not be used if you have the following:
Diabetic keto-acidosis.
Decreased kidney function.
Kidney failure.
Decreased liver function.
Dehydration.
Severe infections or trauma.
Reduced blood flow to vital internal organs.
Heart failure.
People who have recently had a heart attack.
Alcohol intoxication.
Children under ten years of age.

Metformin should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.

Metformin should be stopped before X-ray examinations involving injections of iodinated dye, as it may cause a temporary decrease in kidney function that could affect the blood level of Metformin. Metformin should not be started again after the X-ray until kidney function has been tested and found to be normal.

Metformin Interaction

Your blood glucose level should be monitored if you are taking Metformin in combination with other antidiabetic drugs and or insulin as there will be an enhanced blood glucose lowering effect.

The following drugs may increase blood glucose levels. If you start treatment with any of these your physician may want to check your blood glucose level more frequently and your dose of Metformin may need increasing:
Beta-II-agonists
Corticosteroids
Diuretics
Lithium
Oestrogens and Progesterones
MAOI antidepressants
Octreotide and Lanreotide

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels ) may occur, sometimes suddenly, if ACE inhibitors are taken with Metformin.
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