How To Take Metformin Without Side Effects | When Is The Best Time To Take Metformin | How To Build Up Metformin | Metformin 500mg Side Effects Constipation Diarrhea Hey guys! This weeks video is about metformin and the importance of slowly building up your dose to the prescribed dose to help reduce it’s side effects when you’re first started on it. Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and sometimes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Type 2 diabetes is an illness where the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or the insulin that it makes doesn’t work properly. This can cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). PCOS is a condition that affects how the ovaries work. KEY FACTS: • Metformin works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood. It also makes your body respond better to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls the level of sugar in your blood. • It’s best to take metformin with a meal to reduce the side effects. • The most common side effects are feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache and going off your food. • Metformin does not cause weight gain (unlike some other diabetes medicines). • Metformin may also be called by the brand names Bolamyn, Diagemet, Glucient, Glucophage, and Metabet. HOW AND WHEN TO TAKE: It’s best to take metformin tablets with a meal to reduce the side effects. Swallow your metformin tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew them. Metformin tablets come in different strengths. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take a day. DIFFERENT TYPES OF METFORMIN: Metformin comes as 2 different types of tablet – standard-release tablets and slow-release tablets. Standard-release tablets release metformin into your body quickly. You may need to take them several times a day depending on your dose. Slow-release tablets dissolve slowly so you don’t have to take them as often. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain what type of metformin tablets you are on and how to take them. Metformin is also available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets. Liquid metformin is called by the brand name Riomet. WILL MY DOSE GO UP OR DOWN: Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels regularly and may change your dose of metformin if necessary. When you first start taking metformin standard-release tablets you will be advised to increase the dose slowly. This reduces the chances of getting side effects. (See video for explanation on how to build up dose slowly) If you find you can’t tolerate the side effects of standard-release metformin, your doctor may suggest switching to slow-release tablets. HOW TO COPE WITH SIDE EFFECTS: • Feeling sick – take metformin with food to reduce the chances of feeling sick – it may also help to slowly increase your dose over several weeks. • Diarrhoea or vomiting – have small but frequent sips of water. It may also help to take oral rehydration solutions which you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket to prevent dehydration. Don’t take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. • Metallic taste in the mouth – if you find that metformin is giving you a metallic taste in the mouth, try chewing sugar-free gum. If you find you are suffering from side effects talk to your doctor about switching to a slow-release tablet. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT METFORMIN: Visit the following links to learn more about metformin and serious side effects or allergies which will need medical attention. https://beta.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/ https://patient.info/medicine/metformin-for-diabetes Want to see more videos about everything health and pharmacy? Let me know in the comments below. Subscribe for new videos ▶https://www.youtube.com/c/AbrahamThePharmacist LET’S CONNECT: http://facebook.com/AbrahamThePharmacist http://instagram.com/AbrahamThePharmacist https://www.linkedin.com/in/AbrahamThePharmacist https://plus.google.com/u/4/109698449114086481589 https://twitter.com/AbrahamThePharm https://www.AbrahamThePharmacist.com https://www.youtube.com/c/AbrahamThePharmacist ABOUT ME: Prescribing Media Pharmacist | Bringing Science Through New Film Every Monday | Extreme Optimist I’m a British – Persian – Iranian prescribing media pharmacist who loves science, making videos and helping people. I work in both GP surgeries and community pharmacy. DISCLAIMER: This video is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Abraham The Pharmacist has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.