Metformin

[Antoinette48]

Does anyone take Metformin for type two diabetes and also take Prednisalone?

I have read that you should not…Supposed to start it today and also on various other meds that were not compatible, such as Ace inhibitors. Can you help?

[SheffieldJane]

I queried this with my GP’s pharmacist having read that it was contraindicated when on Pred, on the NHS section of the Internet. The Pharmacist said that it only applied if you were prescribed Pred and were already on Metformin. This was because it would make the sugar levels in the blood rise and this was not good when you were on a drug to lower them. He told me it was fine to take Metformin when already on Pred. 🤷

I am currently recovering from Covid, so I haven’t started Metformin yet.

[Antoinette48 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for your response, I am very cautious about taking it. I will start tomorrow it is 500 mgs. Can you not take it with Covid?

[Polymialgia in reply to SheffieldJane]

I was on Metformin for several years before PMR and Prednisone, I was only changed to Vipidia Algoliptin when I was told I had stage 4 CKD , have been on Pred for almost 8 (very long) years now.

[Antoinette48 in reply to Polymialgia]

Thanks Polimialgia. I never took medication for my diabetes before I done it by diet alone until I became in remission. I really would like to do the same now but have been advised because other conditions to take Metformin.which I really don’t want to ..I have been on Prednisone since Christmas…Put on 1and half stone ,I feel miserable with pain and weight gain.

I have to try it at least, you never know I may feel better. I am on 3mgs of prednisone at the moment. I will let you know how I get on.

[Polymialgia in reply to Antoinette48]

I don’t ever remember a diabetes medication improving how I feel, however the correct dose of Prednisone is a miracle! You’ve only been on it for a very short time , are you tapering too quickly? The weight will go but it’s hard work , try the Michael Mosely fast diet it worked for me I lost 3 stone over a year, but always keep myself pain free with adequate Pred,

[Abykarma in reply to Antoinette48]

Hi Antoinette48. I am on Metformin 1000mg twice per day for diabetes 2. I have had PMR for 2 and a half years and slowly tapering down. On reaching 3.5mg Pred recently I developed telltale pain so have gone up to 10mg for a few days and will return to 5mg. The pains have mostly gone. My HB1AC is only slightly high (test for glucose). I have no side effects from the Metformin. It was prescribed by a physician/endocrinologist after I had been on Pred for a while.

You have tapered down extremely quickly in 7 months. Your pain might be PMR pain from not enough Pred. Best wishes

[Antoinette48 in reply to Abykarma]

Thankyou Abykarma. You are right about tapering .I was on 3mgs but went back up to 5.. now back on 3 mgs…The screaming pain that happens even hurts my teeth, honest! I take 100 mgs of tramadol now and again..I also have fibro so I can’t be sure about which is playing up…must admit the pred works when I take extra..I am not sure what is the highest mgs to go on and taper down from that more slowly.

[Pol53 in reply to Antoinette48]

hi antoinette48 I am on both our situation sounds similar I was dealing with my diabetes via food before pred also but my rhuemy said with all the will in the world I wouldn’t be able to control it whilst on the pred- so I am on 1000mg metformin plus gliclazide40mg to control my diabetes as I went so high I was flashing ketones at every reading - I too didn’t want to take metformin and the originals non slow release didn’t agree with my tummy but they switched me to slow release I have had no side effects from the metformin other than my weight coming down which is a nice side effect for me I’m currently on 8mg pred started on 30mg hope that helps

[Antoinette48 in reply to Pol53]

Certainly does help especially the weight loss part.Thanks!🙂🙂

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Few on here take both- sure you get replies -

And according to NICE to interaction -

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...

You can use link to check other medications and Metformin

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...

[Antoinette48]

Thanks Dorset Lady.

[Omakaat]

Hai Antoinette48.

Such a disappointment isn’t? One disease after another?

Well I can only relate my own experience. When I started on prednisone after a few months my bloodsugar rose to unacceptable levels.Now on 500 mg of Metformine, all is well. No extra side effects.

The same route with the ACE bloodpressure medicin.

I did manage to get to 5 mg of prednison and lower, once, and all signs of diabetes 2 disappeared. Bloodpressure was also on the mend. So there is light at the end of the tunnel!

All the best!

[Antoinette48]

o aka at. Thanks for your reply, you are quite right about one thing after another..I was in remission with type 2. I am so pleased that you have been okay with the Metformin , now less anxious about taking them.xx

[HelenDaisy]

I became a steroid induced diabetic after taking prednisone. I’ve been on metformin ever since. No issues with it.

[autumnlass in reply to HelenDaisy]

I think I may be in a similar situation! They are doing a repeat HbAc1 this week following one at beginning of month. If one has steroid diabetes is it for life or if one drops Pred does it normalise again? Hope this makes sense! 🙂 Thank you.

[autumnlass in reply to HelenDaisy]

I think LBM 53 has answered my question below!! So sorry! 😵‍💫

[autumnlass in reply to HelenDaisy]

They did a repeat ac1 this morning -

My last one at beginning of July was 64.4 - not too bad. So we’ll see what today’s result brings. GP review this morning - he said well wait and see … as steroids are being reduced too which should help.

I take a poly pharmacy of meds and dont want any more if I have to.

I’m glad HD that the Metformin is suiting you & wish you well. 🌈

[HelenDaisy in reply to autumnlass]

My last hb1ac was 41, so I hope I can now reduce Metformin and one day I won’t be diabetic! Good luck to you.

[autumnlass in reply to HelenDaisy]

Such good news HD 🥳🎉Very happy for you! One day very soon you won’t be diabetic!! I look forward to that for you. Well done! 🙂

[LBM1953]

When I started on 30 mgs pred my Hba1c went from 40 to 52 overnight which meant I became instantly type 2. Started on 500 mgs Metformin and as my pred reduced so did my blood sugar. Came off pred in August last year after 2.5 years and Hba1c is now 41 so not diabetic or prediabetic anymore. However I have kept taking the Metformin for two reasons. The first is to help maintain my glucose to the required level. The second is that Metformin is being acknowledged as being a "super drug" which is supposed to help with longevity amongst other things. The major pharmaceutical companies are all racing to produce a such a bespoke drug but in the meantime the chief executive of one of them takes Metformin every day.

[Antoinette48]

very informative. Things are really looking up, let’s get started!

Thankyou.😀

[Ambatu]

I take 500ng of Metformin as I have steroid induced diabetis. It can upset your stomach at first but does get better. I also take 120mg of Glyclazide. The diabetis was very bad a few months ago but settled down now . I was reading almost 30mmol on some evenings.

[Antoinette48]

Amatu thanks for responding , I am expecting the upset tummy part as long as doesn’t affect my other ailments that is my biggest fear as I have heart problems and they make live in fear,just a bit scared in general about change.

[Nightingales in reply to Antoinette48]

I changed to a metformin slow release and my stomach pain really improved.

[Tiggy70]

Hi, I’m 4 years in with PMR. I had type 2 diabetes when diagnosed with PMR and was already taking Metformin (2 x 500mg daily). Over the past four years my diabetes has worsened and I’m now on Insulin injections, Metformin 500 and a drug called Dapagliflozin. Prednisolone causes spikes in your blood sugar levels. Regarding weight gain I had the same issue. The best way to reduce is to cut the amount of carbs you are eating. Not easy I know as the drugs I take make me hungry particularly in the evening 🌸

[Lickle]

I'm on Metformin and Pred. I fought shy of it for as long as I could but my GP insisted because he says that Pred increases the blood sugar so prescribes metformin to keep it lower.

[loomweaver]

Hello, I have been on pred for3years and on metformin and gliclazide for the same amount of time, when I get a flare pmr I up the steriods and gliclazide, but all seems to work ok. Hope you get on ok with it all.

[Antoinette48]

Loomweaver ,thanks for your response ,

All very reassuring for me…Well I have taken the first dose and all is well so far.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[Hunter134]

I take metformin as well.It does cause a bit of nausea after but if I eat Iam ok.