HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

How Long Does Metformin Take To Show Effect?

Posted on Fri, 22 Sep 2017

Question: Hello. I am a 61 year old male, non smoker, do some jogging a few days a week and in not so bad general health. I have a slightly high fasting blood sugar 115 - 118, but during the day normally well under 140 2 hours after eating and under 120 random. My Dr. said I have pre diabetes, I have been reading that Glucophage is so under prescribed with this condition, I have started on 2 x 500mg twice per for the last five days, how long does it take to work? do you agree with this and when I take the night dose and go to bed I have a pain in my sternum.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About prediabetes treatment;

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
Yes, it is prediabetes.
Rather to take metformine or not, depends on your body weight.
If you are overweight, metformine works perfectly, especially in improving fasting glucose level.
It' state effect starts immediately, it means; if you take it in the evening, next morning you see the improvement.
Of course diet and physical activity are important too.
Metformine may cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea but chest pain is not typical for it.
I would suggest an ECG and consult a cardiologist to rule out coronary heart disease.
Hope i have answered your query.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (5 hours later)

Thank you. The pain only started when I started the GLUCOPHAGE?
Should I stop it for a few days starting from tonight and see if the pain goes?
I am not overweight so should I stop it indefinitely? I need read online that this sternum pain can be caused in certain people by the medicine?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
About sternal pain;

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back!

Yes, you may stop it for some days ( slightly elevated glucose levels are not harmful for short periods).
We usually recommend to rule out other pathologies, then consider medicamental side effects.

Anyway, you may stop the treatment tonight.

Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (9 hours later)

Thank you. I stopped the bedtime dose of 500mg of GLUCOPHAGE and the pain in my sternum disappeared, I am now thinking it was indigestion as I have a non complicated hiatus hernia? should I keep on taking the GLUCOPHAGE and leave out the night time dose and take 500mg morning & lunch? does it matter what time of day you take this medicine? I do not want to lose any weight, so is this the right medicine for Pre Diabetes? Lastly, how long does it take to work.
My last HAB1C last October 2016 was 5, but I know that the high FBS 108 - 118 can damage certain organs.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
About fasting glucose level treatment:

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
To correct fasting glucose levels, metformine is best prescribed in the night. It does not need to be taken in the morning because its effect is short (up to. 12 hours)
There is also metformine with extended release (it's effect lasting more than 24 hours) that can be taken once a day. So you may discuss with your physician about it.
To see it's effect, you need to check regularly fasting glucose level and the dose will be adjusted according to it.
In most of the cases metformine is the appropriate treatment to correct fasting glucose levels.

Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana