Metformin is recognized as a good drug all over the world. Many diabetic patients think that it is a hypoglycemic drug, but it is not the case.
Metformin is an anti-glycemic drug, not a hypoglycemic drug.
Metformin will work only when blood sugar is elevated, but it has no hypoglycemic effect when blood sugar is normal. Taking metformin basically does not have to worry about the problem of low blood sugar.
Such a good oral drug also has its side effects, although not every diabetic suffers, diabetics still need to learn how to avoid Occurrence of adverse reactions to metformin.
Adverse reactions 1. Gastrointestinal reactions
Metformin has a very serious adverse reaction The reaction is the gastrointestinal reaction, namely nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, indigestion, anorexia, loss of appetite, etc.
Methods to reduce the adverse effects of metformin:
1. Start with a small dose, gradually increase the dose, and take it orally during or immediately after a meal, which can reduce gastrointestinal side effects and should not affect the efficacy of the drug.
2. Change from regular metformin tablets to metformin enteric-coated tablets or metformin extended-release tablets.
Adverse reactions 2. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Long-term use of metformin, usually more than 3 years, is at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause or aggravate peripheral neuropathy, lead to anemia, cognitive impairment and other adverse consequences.
How to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency:
< strong>1. Eat more foods rich in vitamin B12 in daily life, such as milk, eggs, lean meat (pork, beef, mutton), animal liver (once a week), fish, Crab, shrimp, tempeh, seaweed, etc.
2. If a blood test shows that there is a lack of vitamin B12, follow the Take medicines that can supplement vitamin B12 as prescribed by your doctor.
Tips
The regular tablets of metformin can be taken apart, but the sustained-release tablets cannot be taken apart.
Author: Fang Yu