When to start taking metformin
How To Take Metformin | How To Start Taking Metformin | How To Reduce Metformin Side Effects (2018)
Metformin I see patients on this on a daily basis
but in today's episode we're going to talk about how to start taking metformin to reduce its possible side effects
now let me know how you're getting on by leaving a comment at the end of the video
first a bit of background about metformin it's prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes
and polycystic ovary syndrome which we call PCOS
metformin lowers your sugar levels by reducing the amount of sugar that your liver releases into your blood
and also improving your body's response to insulin
now it's usually prescribed in type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone
hasn't been enough to reduce your blood sugar levels
for women with PCOS metformin stimulates ovulation even if you don't have diabetes
and it does this by lowering blood sugar levels and lowering insulin
background done! I've always found metformin to be a very interesting drug
because not only does it help with PCOS and lower blood sugar levels
but studies have actually shown it to reduce your risk of cancer and help you lose weight
unfortunately metformin can cause side effects in some patients like nausea, wind and diarrhoea
but the chances of developing these can be reduced by taking it after food
and also when you first started on them building up your dose slowly to the prescribed dose
now you've just been started on immediate release metformin
and hopefully your prescriber will explain to you how to slowly build up your dose to the prescribed dose
and this is to help reduce the chances of you developing side effects
and in the world of pharmacy this building up we call it dose of titrating
now in case they haven't or you've just forgotten here's a general guide
on how to build up your dose of immediate-release metformin to the prescribed dose
now please remember this is a general guide and your dose may be different
so I definitely advise everyone to speak their doctor or speak to your pharmacist about this
so in this example let's say the final dose of immediate release metformin for type 2 diabetes
was three times a day with main meals so we have breakfast, lunch and dinner which you'll be taking it with
but we don't want to jump straight into three times a day as you're much more likely to have side effects
which mentioned earlier so build up your dose weekly to the final prescribed dose
so for my example to begin with take 500mg of immediate-release metformin daily
with your biggest meal which is dinner for most people
after a week or two if you're getting on fine with no significant side effects
increase to 500mg twice a day with main meals so for most people that will be breakfast and dinner
and after another week or two if you're getting on fine with no significant side effects
increase to 500mg three times a day with main meals so breakfast,lunch and dinner
please remember this is a general guide and your dose may be different
so always speak to your pharmacist or a doctor about this before you do it
so what we're basically doing is building up the dose of immediate release metformin
by 500mg every one to two weeks until we reach the final dose prescribed by your doctor
and if after a dose increase you start getting side effects which don't go after a week or two
then reduce the dose back down to what you were getting on well with then speak to your doctor
definitely don't stop taking your medicines until you speak to your doctor
now let's say after slowly building up your dose of immediate release metformin
you're still having side effects and it's getting too much well now it's time to speak to your doctor about it
they might change your medicine completely or they might change the type of metformin
and give you the slow-release tablet which usually has less side effects
but remember this that the dose of the slow release tablet is different to the immediate release tablet
so always double check it with your pharmacist or doctor
and that's it you now know how to start taking immediate release metformin properly
if you have any tips which work for you which others might find helpful then please leave a comment below
I'd love to read about it and if you found this video helpful then please hit that like button now
lastly don't forget to always read the information leaflet that comes with your medicines
and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist
hey guys thanks for watching this week's video
make sure to click that like, follow or subscribe button now
to stay up to date with new weekly videos
