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Metformin, also known as metformin hydrochloride, is a derivative of biguanide that produces an antihypoglycemic effect in people when insulin is secreted.
This means that Metformin prescriptions are used to treat people who have type 2 diabetes, which cannot be controlled through diet, weight management, exercise regimens, and/or when insulin therapy isn’t an appropriate treatment option.
If you’d like to learn more about Merformin and how it functions within your body, click here for more information.
What is Metformin used to treat?
Have you been wondering what does Metformin do for diabetes? Its primary indication is that it’s used as a method to control hyperglycemia in people who are living with type 2 diabetes.
Specifically, Metformin prescription medications are used for patients who aren’t able to control their hyperglycemia through a healthy diet and exercise alone, and require additional assistance but insulin therapy isn’t appropriate for them.
SIDE NOTE: We should mention that there’s currently no indication for Metformin to treat type 1 diabetes.
How long does Metformin last after you take it?
Even during extended duration of treatments lasting more than 10 days, there’s currently no evidence that Metformin medications build up in your body over time. It takes about 6 hours to be absorbed fully by your body
While it has been shown to help regulate blood sugars, Metformin is rapidly eliminated from your body (in an unchanged form) through your urine and feces.
How long it technically stays in your body will vary from person to person, based on a few factors, such as:
- Your metabolic rate
- Your age and health
- The Metformin dosage you’ve received
- The frequency at which your practitioner has instructed you to take your Metformin medication
- Your body mass
If you want specifics of how long your Metformin prescription will stay in your body, your practitioner may be able to provide an estimation based on your unique information.
Most side effects of Metformin are rarely occurring, so some people taking prescription Metformin may not have side effects at all. When they do occur, some uncommonly occurring side effects of Metformin include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Changes in the tastes of food/drinks
These may appear at the start of treatment, but resolve over time as your body adjusts to your Metformin prescription.
It’s important to know that there are some rarely occurring conditions that you should be mindful of watching for, if you’re going to be taking Metformin, such as:
- Lactic acidosis
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues
- Increased risk of renal function problems
- Hypoxic states
- Upcoming surgical procedures
If you believe you’re starting to experience any of the signs or symptoms of any of these conditions, or you have upcoming surgical procedures that you’re preparing for, be sure to tell your practitioner right away.
They may be able to suggest alternative medications to Metformin without interactions.
There are a few people who shouldn’t take Metformin due to interactions or side effects that could occur if they do.
People who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed should talk to their practitioners before they take Metformin.
Also, patients that have severe kidney or liver problems should avoid using Metformin medications.
If you’re wondering “what should I avoid while taking Metformin”, there are a couple of things to keep in mind as well.
Alcohol and Metformin also interact negatively. It’s believed that alcohol may intensify the effects of Metformin, which can lead to negative side effects, which may be dangerous to your health. If you’re taking Metformin, avoid alcohol as much as possible.
There are a number of medication interactions with Metformin as well, so if you’re taking any other prescriptions apart from Metformin, be sure to let your practitioner know about these medications before buying Metformin online in Canada.
How Does Metformin Help Manage Diabetes?
What does Metformin do for diabetes? It helps regulate blood sugar, in order to control the symptoms of hyperglycemia in patients that have type 2 diabetes.
Also, if you’re been wondering what else Metformin is used for, it’s not used to treat any other conditions. However, you may be able to get a Metformin dosage for prediabetes, in the event that you’re at very high risk of it occurring.
If you know that you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, and you’re interested in how to get a Metformin prescription in Canada without diabetes, contact your practitioner to see whether you may be eligible for prediabetes treatment options.
You won’t notice weight loss on Metformin, unless you’re taking action to exercise and eat healthy. There is no direct correlation between Metformin and weight loss, although weight loss is often recommended alongside Metformin prescriptions to maximize control of the symptoms of hyperglycemia
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