One of the very popular drugs among patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and other conditions with elevated levels of blood sugar would be Metformin. It is a drug that lowers the concentration of sugar in the blood that is taken by mouth, and usually sold under their trade names of Glucophage, Fortamet, Riomet and Glumetza, depending on the company who formulated the drug.

Metformin perform its therapeutic action by sending a signal to the liver so that there is a decreased amount of sugar it produces; and to the skeletal muscles so that more glucose molecules can be absorbed and used later. Aside from its effect in maintaining balance of sugar, it is also seen to reduce the amount of low density lipoproteins or the bad cholesterols in the blood. Hence, it can also decrease the possibility of having cardiovascular complications from the metabolic condition.

Metformin is usually limited to the management of obesity linked diabetes mellitus or DM type II, but recent research has shown that this medication can also be used for diabetes during pregnancy. However, further studies are still being conducted to establish the safety of using the drug among pregnant mothers.

Relatively, the drug is safe to be used but Metformin side effects must still be known especially to those who are taking the medication on a regular basis. The earliest and most commonly reported Metformin side effects are involving the digestive system such as nausea and vomiting which is commonly associated with the fish like or unpleasant smell of the medication. The client may also suffer from loss of weight due to lack of appetite because the drug leaves a metallic taste, abdominal pain as a result of indigestion and collection of gas; and diarrhea. These problems result from the response of the body to the metabolic changes caused by the drug.

Some of the commonly employed measures taken to minimize these Metformin side effects are to take small but frequent meals so that complete digestion of the food thus minimal gas formation and upset occurs; smelling an orange peel or an object with a pleasant odor while taking the medication so that irritation and nausea is prevented; and taking the drug with food to minimize the after taste.

Since the drug lowers the blood sugar, hypoglycemia and its associated symptoms can also be Metformin side effects, and a person must then keep a pack of biscuits or hard candy in the pocket to replenish the supply of glucose in the body. Some signs of low blood sugar would be confusion, cold and excessive sweating, trembling, increased sensation of hunger, dizziness and a feeling of fainting.

Aside from hypoglycemia, other serious Metformin side effects include lactic acidosis resulting by overdose of the drug and manifested by severe pain in the muscles; liver dysfunction which is presented by yellowing of the skin and eyes, sudden weight gain and swelling of the feet; and severe allergic reaction exemplified by itchiness, rashes and difficulty breathing.

These Metformin side effects are very serious and must promptly receive professional medical care to prevent other complications.

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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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