Metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for diabetes, is known for its significant impact on blood sugar management and affordability – aka it is effective, efficient, and inexpensive. Normally, this would be a big win for a medication. However, despite these advantages, there is a growing trend of individuals discontinuing its use. This is largely due to the side effects that it can sometimes cause, as well as a general lack of education around the drug and its side effects. This is what you should know, so you can decide with the guidance of a healthcare professional what is right for you.

The Digestive Dilemma: Side Effects of Metformin

One of the primary reasons individuals stop taking metformin is the gastrointestinal side effects it can cause. Symptoms such as diarrhea and flatulence are fairly common. As anyone can imagine, these side effects are challenging, uncomfortable, and often embarrassing. It can make it difficult to leave the house or lead to anxiety about being in public situations. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to start suffering from severe flatulence or worse while on a long bus ride, at a concert, or even everyday places like the grocery store. Despite metformin’s effectiveness in managing diabetes, this symptom alone may lead to people discontinuing their treatment.

Not all side effects of this medication are permanent. In many cases, metformin may cause some side effects that diminish over time. These side effects include the gas and diarrhea, as well as heartburn, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, bloating, constipation, weight loss, headache, and a metallic taste in your mouth. Taking metformin with a meal can help reduce the chances of experiencing these side effects. Of course, depending on the severity of these symptoms and how long they do last, it can be quite a hindrance towards doctors getting their patients to hang in long enough for those symptoms to pass.

These common side effects are not the only side effects of metformin, however. There are other side effects that have begun to cause quite a lot of concern among some diabetes patients. Some are so worried that they are even beginning to refuse to take the medication altogether, for fear of these potential side effects. This, of course, puts them at risk for mismanaged diabetes and all of the problems that come along with that.