If you're exploring Metformin as a potential treatment option, you probably have questions about the medication and our program and how it works. We've got you covered with the details you need to know.
What is Metformin?
Metformin is an oral drug used to manage blood sugar levels. It can improve your body’s response to insulin, which is a natural substance secreted from that pancreas that controls blood sugar. As a result, it can help to lower blood sugar levels.
Dosage Explained
Most people start at a dose of 500mg per day. This dose is increased weekly based on your body’s response and side effects, to a maximum dose of 2,000mg per day.
It’s important that you do not increase your dose at a quicker rate than what is outlined in your medication dosing schedule and treatment guide, or what your practitioner has advised. This is because the medication was designed to be increased at a specific rate for your safety and in order to minimize side effects. This also allows your body time to adjust to the medication.
Additionally, your practitioner's aim is to find the lowest effective dose for you, so you may not need to be on the maximum dose of 2,000 mg per day if a smaller dose is effective enough for you.
It’s also important to note that as your metformin dose increases, so does the cost of your treatment. Here is more information about our prices — you can always reach out to your healthcare practitioner to find a treatment that works for you and is cost effective.
What are the Main Side Effects?
While this medication has proven effective when combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, it's also important to be aware of its potential side effects.
Some of the most common metformin side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
Side effects tend to improve after a week and are usually not severe, especially when metformin is taken with food.
Who Should Not Take Metformin?
Those with severe kidney, liver, and heart disease and those who drink alcohol excessively should not take metformin. You should stop taking metformin in certain situations, including if you develop acute or unstable heart failure, get a serious infection causing low blood pressure, become dehydrated, have severely decreased kidney function, or intend to have surgery of any kind.
Tips for Managing Metformin Side Effects
Here are a few things that you can try that may help manage side effects:
- Taking your medication with a meal
- Drinking plenty of water
- Increasing the amount of fiber in your food
You should speak with a healthcare practitioner if you're experiencing any side effects that are more than mild while taking metformin. Severe, significant or persistent side effects require immediate in-person care.
Explore the Collection of Blogs Below For All the Info You Need
Diabetes Management at Felix: answers about eligibility, the program, and more
Metabolic Testing: What You Need to Know About Pricing: information on the program pricing, cost of treatments, and insurance coverage
Still have questions we didn’t cover? We can answer them at hello@felixforyou.ca.
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