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Can Metformin Cause Constipation Or Diarrhoea?
Question: I take metformin 1500 mg daily. I get either constipation or diarrhea. Is there anything I can do to help this side effect?
Brief Answer:
For how long have you been taking this drug?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
These are often present at the initiation of treatment and resolution is often spontaneous within the first few weeks of treatment. If this is the case with you, I will say carry on and this will resolve spontaneously. However, if you have been taking this drug for a while now, it is no longer as expected and I will like your doctor to review your medications list fully. If this remains the only cause to these symptoms. then we may want to replace with other equally good medications.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and let me know where you stand as concerns the duration of using this treatment. Beside, how is your diet?
For how long have you been taking this drug?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
These are often present at the initiation of treatment and resolution is often spontaneous within the first few weeks of treatment. If this is the case with you, I will say carry on and this will resolve spontaneously. However, if you have been taking this drug for a while now, it is no longer as expected and I will like your doctor to review your medications list fully. If this remains the only cause to these symptoms. then we may want to replace with other equally good medications.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and let me know where you stand as concerns the duration of using this treatment. Beside, how is your diet?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. I have been taking this meds since August 2015. I like metformin because it helps me keep my weight down. However, I worry about the diarrhea and constipation and wonder if the continue use of this med can ultimately damage my digestive system.
I have talked to my doctor about it, but undoubtedly I contacted you for a second opinion. What other medication is available to treat Diabetes 2, that do not cause this same or worse side effects?
I have talked to my doctor about it, but undoubtedly I contacted you for a second opinion. What other medication is available to treat Diabetes 2, that do not cause this same or worse side effects?
Brief Answer:
If you can tolerate, I will say stick to it. If not, a change is needed!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is barely two months and because of the great advantages of metformin especially with weight control, I will say give it another one month before deciding to quit if it fails to resolve spontaneously.
There are several other drugs which include glypizide, glinbenclamide, etc. However, I will let your doctor to choose from the locally available drugs for use in your case if need be.
Let me know what your thoughts are. I wish you well.
If you can tolerate, I will say stick to it. If not, a change is needed!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is barely two months and because of the great advantages of metformin especially with weight control, I will say give it another one month before deciding to quit if it fails to resolve spontaneously.
There are several other drugs which include glypizide, glinbenclamide, etc. However, I will let your doctor to choose from the locally available drugs for use in your case if need be.
Let me know what your thoughts are. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I thought two months would be long enough to get used to this med.
you really have not answered my two questions:
1) will the side effects (gastro) be harmful to my digestive system in the long wrong?
2)Is there another med for Diabetes 2 that will not cause this side effects?
you really have not answered my two questions:
1) will the side effects (gastro) be harmful to my digestive system in the long wrong?
2)Is there another med for Diabetes 2 that will not cause this side effects?
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. The diarrhea and constipation will not damage your digestive tract. BE rest assured about this because it is a functional problem(intolerance) and not as a result of another disease being caused by this drug.
2. Glipizide/glibenclamide are safe and have less side effects that metformin . Unfortunately, they are more prone to causing low sugars compared to metformin.
I hope this addresses them. I Wish you well and feel free to ask for any further clarifications if need be.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. The diarrhea and constipation will not damage your digestive tract. BE rest assured about this because it is a functional problem(intolerance) and not as a result of another disease being caused by this drug.
2. Glipizide/glibenclamide are safe and have less side effects that metformin . Unfortunately, they are more prone to causing low sugars compared to metformin.
I hope this addresses them. I Wish you well and feel free to ask for any further clarifications if need be.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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