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Does Metformin Cause Excessive Foul Smelling Stool?

Posted on Mon, 4 May 2015

Question: Please tell me why my poop smells so fowl. I take metphormin 100O mg. IM lactose intolerant. I don't get it. When I start going to the bathroom I go and go and go until its just colored water! And it really smells awful!

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
i would need some info

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way.

In order to help you better , I would like you to give me some more information,

I will here by ask you some relevant questions to fill up the information gap.
1) do you get gas and bloating?

2) since when is. this hapening?

3 ) do you get any pain in abdomen?

4) history of stomach burn?

5) do you keep passing flatus?

6) sonce when you are using metformin?

7) keepincg check on lactose intake?

Waiting for your input

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner)

Resident M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (4 hours later)

Yes I do have stinky gas
No pain
Been on metformin since about 2003
I do not have stomach burn
I don't drink milk to often when I do its Lactose free
For age 76, I'm very young looking, very fit, tall etc. I work as a receptionist .so this problem bothers me. Thank you for your help :-)

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
there are few things which can help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back,

I hope you are having a super weekend there,

I have read your response , I want to assure you that things can be dealt with quite easily,

Bad smelling stools can be cause by few things.

1) Gut upset, leading to indigestion.

2) Indigestion leading to stale food particles in gut not getting digested.

3) Lowe fibre in diet.

4) reduced gut motility.

5) side effect of metformin, but as you taking it for ages I would keep it out of suspects lisT.

6) Using large quantieties of fizzy drinks .

SUGGESTIONS:

1) Don't worry this will settle.

2) Increase your fibre intake, you can use fibre supplemets as well , (organic ones) , you can switch to whole wheat products.

3) Take metformin IN THE MIDDLE ofr your meal eat half of the meal then take metformin, this reduces side effects , but keep checking you diabetic status with that if control gets disturbed then you can swtich back to old routine.

4) Digestive enzyme pills are available in market it proved very useful for my patients.

5) Prokinetcs reduce transition time in gut segments this doesn't let the food to putrify in gut and reduce bloating and gad.

6) Green tea twice a day is quite benefitial too.

Hope these suggestions help you.

I wish you the very best of health.

Have a great weekend.

Dr.Muhammad AHAMAD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (5 hours later)

Thank you sooo much! I will do as u suggested. Take care, XXXX:-)

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It's my pleasure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back,

stay blessed ,

have a great weekend:)

regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar