Metformin side effects

[Anonymous29]

Hey, does anyone have tips on helping with the side effects of metformin please? I'm taking 3 x 500mg per day and TMI but I have terrible wind/diarrhoea and bloating.

Thanks!

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Best to take them just after or with your evening meal Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water - do not chew them Some times it can help if you slowly increase your dose over a couple of weeks as the side effects will often go away [ or less troublesome] over time If still unsure ask your clinic/Dr for further advice

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Anonymous29 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thanks for the reply! I started one per day for the first week, two per day for the second week and then now on three per day (only on week four).

Is it recommended to take them all together on a night or three different times of the day?

[SquishyBean]

If you can, ask for the slow release version. I was prescribed this form from the start as the doctor said it reduces side effects and I've never had any side effects at all!

[AuntieMandy in reply to SquishyBean]

Yes!!! I was on slow release and didn’t realise my prescription had been changed to normal metformin. I was having accidents as my diarrhoea was so bad and immediate with no warning. I’m back on slow release now after my gp spotted the change and all of those unpleasant ‘running’s’ to the loo have gone. SquishyBean is right!

[Livinginoz]

Hi,

All I can say is persevere and the side effects do get better. Definitely take them with food and it’s a lot better if you slowly increase the dosage, I started on one tablet a day and built up to 3.

Hope that helps!

[Anonymous29 in reply to Livinginoz]

Thanks, I've done the same and onto my 2nd week of taking 3 per day...the symptoms are worse this week though! Thanks for replying x

[Livinginoz in reply to Anonymous29]

Aaah sorry to hear that! I remember it being rough when I was first building up the dose. I have IBS too and it wreaked havoc on my insides! Hope it gets better soon xx

[XXKKXX]

Haha yes I know all too well the side effects. I has diabolical diarrhea for months. Only thing I found helped was cutting back to 500mg daily for around a month or two then adding in another tablet. Couldn't ever tolerate more than 1000mg daily.

I found just before bed helpful and I slept and it seemed to stop the diarrhea with that tablet. It's been over a year and I can now tolerate 1000mg without any side effects. I have ibs too so maybe that's why took me so much longer to adjust

[Anonymous29 in reply to XXKKXX]

Ohhh it's awful isn't it 😂 I'm going to try another week or so on 1500mg and then I might go back down to 1000mg. Did it help you with conceiving at all? if you don't mind me asking. I start a cycle of clomid in a couple of weeks x

[kvs22]

i found it to be less intense when I took one tablet three times a day rather than all three at one time. My nausea got better this way. Symptoms gets less intense after a whike as it builds up in your system.

[Wishinandahopin]

I found best to take with a meal and try and eat lower carb whilst taking it too as that will help.

I found the main symptoms only lasted a week or two and then it was a lot better and I just got a bit of bloating.

It helped me feel great otherwise though! Also make sure it’s the slow release version.

take care!

[Anonymous29 in reply to Wishinandahopin]

I know I definitely don't have the slow release version but going to ask about that, thanks! I'll also try a low carb diet x