This is often the first line of drug therapy for many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes... metformin, also sold under the trade name Glucophage, was the wonder drug of the early 1990's for type 2 diabetics. The patents for most forms of metformin have expired so that even in the US diabetics can usually buy the drug for about $4 a month, but it remains one of the most useful medications available for increasing sensitivity to insulin and keeping blood sugar levels in control. Here are some points you need to know about this drug:
1. Metformin is a unique drug. Along with diet and exercise, it can help prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
2. Metformin may help with weight loss. Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone) also increase insulin sensitivity, but at the cost of activating a gene that encourages the development of new fat cells. Metformin helps type 2 diabetics lower blood sugar levels by making cells more sensitive to insulin, and when less insulin is needed to transport sugar, less insulin is available to transport fat.
3. Many type 2 diabetics complain that metformin smells like raw fish or mothballs. There is a very simple solution... remove your dose of metformin from the bottle about five minutes before taking it, and the odor will have dissipated.
4. Long-term use of metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency but the solution is simple. Just take a complete vitamin B supplement... 100% of the recommended daily intake, not more, several days a week. This provides B vitamins in the balance you need without creating problems of excessive supplementation.
5. Long-term use of metformin can also cause magnesium deficiency. You can take a minimal dosage of a magnesium supplement, no more than 100 mg of magnesium three times a day, or just eat more green leafy vegetables. Don't overdo magnesium supplementation, since magnesium, like metformin, can cause diarrhea.
6. Metformin is emerging as the treatment of choice for teenagers with type 2 diabetes. A combination of metformin and regular vigorous exercise, results in loss of excessive body fat without stunting normal growth or hormonal development.
7. Metformin partially offsets insulin resistance caused by MSG (monosodium glutamate), a savory flavoring added to all kinds of bouillon cubes, broths, canned soups, frozen dinners, and prepared foods. It's usually less expensive and almost always more healthful to simply cook your meals from scratch.
8. Some diabetics cannot take metformin. If you have any kind of blood clotting disorder, or if you have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), your doctor will probably not prescribe metformin for fear of raising the risk of clots.
9. Even though metformin and Glucophage are the same chemical, some diabetics get better results from Glucophage. The time-release version of metformin, Glucophage-XR, costs US$100 to $200 a month more than metformin, but may be helpful to diabetics who are able to exercise portion control at meals. If you tend to overeat, the extended release medication won't really give you any additional blood sugar control.
10. If you are taking less than 850mg of metformin three times a day and your doctor wants to add an additional medication other than insulin, ask about increasing the dosage of metformin. If you are paying for your medications out of your pocket, and metformin can help you achieve good blood sugar control, using metformin instead of other medications can save you thousands of dollars every year.
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