Is Metformin safe for liver with early stage cirrhosis

[KatoombaNSW]

Hello again,everyone..Just a quick question..I was on Metformin (1000 mgx1 slow release/day) but had to stop for CAT scan and Liver biopsy..I have not recommenced and my GP was OK with that. My Type 2 diabetes seems to be under control..I am not due to see the specialist for a few months to ask him. What is the verdict on Metformin and cirrhosis?

[Hidden]

I too have type 2 diabetes. Of the diabetes medication available out there, Metformin is the kindest to the liver, it's the least harmful anyway. I think Gliclazide is the worst. I was first prescribed Gliclazide when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. No body checks, or questions the cause of the diabetes. In my case it was due to my cirrhotic liver becoming insulin resistant. But nobody questions this, It was only by chance after having taken it for three months I happened to read the medication instructions.

Before you take

Do not take Gliclazide tablets and tell your doctor if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to Gliclazide tablets or any of the ingredients in the tablet (Please refer to section 6, further information) An allergic reaction may include a rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue

are breast feeding.

have severe liver or kidney disease.

have porphyria (a hereditary disease affecting the liver or bone marrow).

have ever had a severe diabetic reaction (such as “acidosis” or diabetic coma).

I complained to my GP who just sort of said, Oops! Here's some Metformin.

Your right to question the safety of medication, but Metformin is safe, so no sleepless nights.

Good Luck

[KatoombaNSW in reply to Hidden]

Thank you,dear Richard.. I am starting to question everything I eat and take,including the supplements..I will go back onto Metformin if need be.After consulting with my GP of course.

What do you think about supplements like Milk Thistle and/or Dandelion tea? They come up a lot online,and I occasionally take some. I am assuming they can't hurt,even if they don't help much once you move onto the cirrhosis stage..

[Hidden in reply to KatoombaNSW]

My personal view is that the human liver has been doing it's job for over 200,000 years. It doesn't need any wondrous remedies or to be detoxified. All these so called advertisements saying, "How to detox your liver", are really saying, "How to detox your wallet/purse".

Your liver has never needed to rely upon Milk Thistle or any other herbal supplements. Also what needs to be bared in mind, is that what ever enters into the body, either through the mouth or the skin, all ends up having to go through the liver at some point. While some of these chemicals maybe quite harmless on their own, they can become rather toxic when mixed with other substances and chemicals. This can then cause even more damage to the liver.

I have in the past, always tried to limit the amount of medication I take. I no longer take anti-depressant, I've cut down on my anti-rejection medication, which in turn means I can cut back on my diabetes meds too. All this means is that there is less junk having to be passed through my liver and is also less expensive on the NHS. I should added that all this cutting back is under medical supervision.

So, in answer to your question. If you don't need it, don't take it, and always seek advice from a healthcare professional. (Doctor or Pharmacist).

[LAJ123 in reply to Hidden]

See my last post - could be just for you !

[KatoombaNSW in reply to LAJ123]

Not sure if I can access it from Australia,but I will try from the laptop..Much appreciated..

[KatoombaNSW in reply to Hidden]

Eminently sensible response..Thank you, dear Richard..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I clicked on this post for the sole purpose that I was going to tell this member to " ask Richard" . But you beat me to it lol

[KatoombaNSW in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Phoenix..Richard is indeed a wealth of very sensible information.. I feel calmer since I have joined this forum..Best regards from the Land of Oz..

[Tashadog in reply to KatoombaNSW]

Thankyou richard you explained brilliant.