Diabetes Type 2 Support Group

I was started on Metformin 500 twice daily a little over a year ago. In the early days I suffered headaches and gastric 'distress' (that's the most polite way I can put it!) but it's fair to say that after 3 months, these symptoms became much less frequent. I have since managed to get off the drugs completely and now control my diabetes thru diet and exercise alone, and in that respect it's the best thing that could have happened to me.
I learned early on that it's really important to take your Metformin either during or immediately after a meal as it has a big impact on the effectiveness of the drug and helps to minimize the side effects.

Why is it important to take it during or after a meal? What happens otherwise. I am newly diagnosed by all of the medical stuff. Thanks.

Hey there...a brief and easy answer:
Food increases the extent of metformin absorption by approximately 50%
Dr O.

The first time I was on Metformin was after a number of years of being diet controlled. My blood sugar shot up at the same time my thyroid went down and so I had to go back on diabetic meds the same time I went on thyroid hormones. Other diabetic meds interact with thyroid levels but Metformin doesn't so that was the treatment of choice. The high dosage I had to take of the Metformin did work, but caused problems with very lose BMs. Problems to nearly the point where I could barely leave home for fear of incontinence and actually a couple of embarrasing episodes. Luckily only personal ones.

However with continued weight loss we were able to decrease the dosage of Metformin and also the Dr gave me samples of a fibre supplement that actually helped.

The slightly reduced dosage made a world of a difference. In less than a year I was back to being diet controlled... or was it a year. I can hardly recall.

Something shifted a year ago after having been diet controlled for another year and I am back on the metformin. This time the dosage was increased slowly from one pill to two to three and I don't have any side effects. I've had to add glyburide too now. I hope with further weight loss I can reduce and maybe get off meds all together again.

I always have taken the Metformin with food as per instruction.

Thanks for the info on Metformin. Even after 3 years of taking it I didn't know that food increases absorption. Thanks!

So metformin should be taken during or right after a meal? My doctor told me to take it 30-45 mins before I eat, and my levels are all over the place, hasn't been helping me at all. So should I just start taking it during my meal, or are there certan reasons to take it before?

Kathryn,

I am on Advandamet, which contains Metformin in it as a short term agent. My doctor even expressly told me to take it after/with my biggest meals due to the absorption and the fact these kinds of medicines cause upset stomachs if taken on an empty stomach. Of course those effects usually wear off after you have adjusted to the medicine physically, but it never hurts to avoid making yourself sick with the medicine.

So do you think I should try it with my meal or just after? Will it hurt anything if I try it that way, or should I make an apoinment and talk to my doctor about it before I try that?

I think it would be perfectly safe to take it with/after a meal. When I take mine, it is right after I have taken my last bite of whatever. I even checked my medicine, and the label instructs take with food.

I was diet controlled. I then started on Actos which had results but my sugar continued to increase. When my numbers came back high (after 3 years) my doctor ordered Metaformin 500mg. Within 2 wks I had my accident which resulted in increasing Metaformin to 1000 mg 2x day and using Insulin till I came home then I went back to oral meds. That decrease my physical stamina. Now my weight and sugar are both up.Added Amaryl along the way.