Metformin – Glucophage - treats type 2 diabetes and a first-line medication. This drug is largely used for treating obese people living with autoimmune conditions like type 2 diabetes. Do you know of metformin alternatives? It is of use to know them.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic ailment. It presents difficulties to your body in managing sugar-levels in blood. This scenario takes place when you system is not able to utilize enough amount of insulin i.e. produce inadequate amount of insulin. Timely treatment can prevent diabetes from causing irreversible damages to your eye, heart, kidneys, brain, CNS and other key organs.
In this light, what is Metformin?
Metformin treats type 2 and gestational diabetes. Metformin fares as a popular med to control high levels of blood sugar.
Metformin can reduce quantum of glucose your body takes-in from foods you eat. Key chemicals of this med can also regulate how much glucose your liver makes in all. An equally key task metformin performs is increasing your bodily responses to glucose-controlling hormones like insulin.
As an added use, Metformin helps lose body weight . A few studies claim Metformin to improve fertility levels. Research is on to explore other possible uses of metformin with regard to treating other conditions as well.
Metformin alternatives
There are instances people with diabetes may not find Metformin suiting them well. They may turn allergic to it and / or it may not bring blood sugars under control. This is when metformin alternatives turn important. Caregivers thankfully have access to a wide range of choices - as metformin alternatives; these can be administered depending on your current health condition, prior ailments – if any, allergic reactions / hypersensitivity.
Of the several alternatives, oral drugs such as SGLT2 inhibiting Jardiance are endowed with remedial properties. Jardiance is safe for use in heart patients and patients recovering from renal complications. SGLT2 inhibitors -such as Jardiance - help protecting both your cardiac and renal systems.
Another alternative to Metformin is drugs forming part of a drug-family called GLP-1 receptor agonists; here, drugs like semaglutide (one of the popular brands is Ozempic) are quite popular. Through its weight management capabilities, this drug also benefits your cardiac system. Semaglutide can also reduce your waist-size.
Sitagliptin – forming part of a class of meds called dipeptidyl peptidase – 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors – is offered at dosages ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg. This is available as an oral offering. In case you have toleration issues with metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors such as Januvia i.e., sitagliptin - is a good alternative.
Glipizide - another kind of diabetic med – belongs to sulfonylurea class. It can enhance the amount of insulin your body makes; chiefly from beta-type cells of your pancreas. However, odds remain high for onset of hypoglycemia i.e., low level of sugars in blood.
In certain scenarios, you may be advised to use insulin either as a standalone med or with a few other drugs. A combinatorial treatment works best when you are averse to use of many pills during each dose.
There are different types of insulin available; the type offered to you varies based on your diabetic condition. You can procure insulin in an inhaled form, injectable med, or get it administered via insulin pumping action.
In order to use insulin as a metformin alternative, check with your healthcare provider prior using it. Above all, understand if insulin is indeed a safer choice for your diabetic condition. It is helpful to consult with your caregiving team of taking fellow-meds in combination - for better remedial outcomes.
Side effects metformin causes
You are likely to experience a few milder side effects while taking metformin. These include difficulties to pass stools, acid reflux / GERD (also called as heartburns), pain in lower part of your abdomen, a metallic taste on your tongue, being nauseated bloating, spells of vomiting, etc. Most of these side effects are of short-term nature, and many may go away on their own.
Beware: while taking it over long-term, chances of reduction in vitamin B12 levels are fairly-high. In a few instances, people have reported can result in anemia (low levels of red blood cells).
Metformin may unlikely lead to a lower level of blood sugar i.e., hypoglycemia in your bloodstream. However, in a few cases, you may witness signs of hypoglycemia – chiefly, if you are eating an unhealthy / imbalanced diet, drink too much of alcohol every day, pursue strenuous exercises, and also if you are using other diabetic drugs.
Precautionary measures needed while you use metformin
Foremost of all, you need to discuss with your treating doctor / pharmacist of safety of this med. It is a wise thing to tell them of prior allergies to drugs like metformin. At times, you may turn hypersensitive to ingredients of this med.
You also need to share details of other meds – both prescribed ones as well as over the counter drugs, details of supplements – of proteins, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products – if any - you currently use.
Females who are pregnant or planning for pregnancy must tell your caregiver of such conditions. Women who breastfeed / nurse an infant must inform their caregiver of their entire maternal-responsibilities.
It is equally important to share details about daily workouts and exercises. Each of these inputs help make a custom plan – suiting you best – for managing blood sugar levels / insulin-related conditions.
When to seek your healthcare provider?
If you notice adverse effects like gasping for breath or wheezing – you need to seek medical help from a healthcare setting. Changes in sleep cycles, turning restless or anxious may need a counseling session with your caregiving team.
Blurring of eyesight, turning dizzy, frequent spell of migraines, tremors and / or slurring of speech are to be attended without much delay.
You are advised to keep watch of other forms of discomforts – upon starting to use Metformin. Any one-offs signs or sudden changes on your bodily functions are to be taken seriously, with timely medical support.