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03/18/10 10:11 PM

"Switched from Glyburide to Metformin and am now feeling really sick. How long until side effects go away?"
Asked By: loralyn  
Category: Oral Medications

Background Info Hide
I had been taking Glyburide 2.5 once a day for three years. I started working out at the gym very hard 1 to 2 hours a day, 4 to 5 times a week. I lost inches slowly but not pounds. Heard Glyburide can hinder weight loss, asked dr to put me on Metformin a week ago and have been sick and feeling sicker every day. My BS is now avg 150 to 170, on Glyburide avg 90 to 110 and felt great. Now, I can't get out of the bathroom, my insides hurt (no other way to describe it), I feel shaky, my head hurts, zero appetite and I have no strength and walking tires me out. It's not the flu or cold because I definitely know what that feels like. Drinking 80 to 120 oz of water a day and eating somewhat healthy considering I don't feel weel enough to eat. On the plus side I've lost 5 lbs in one week. Does it take a long time for side effects to go away and are these side effects normal? How long for BS to go down? Should I just switch back to Glyburide? Sorry for the long question and thanks.

Expert Answers (1)

03/19/10 07:44 PM

Dear Loralyn- The two medications you are referring to act in very different ways. THe glyburide you were on was a insulin secretion enhancer and was doing a good job controlling your post meal glucose levels. Metformin is a medication that is to control excess production of glucose from your liver. This is not controlling your glucose levels.

Yes, nausea, diarrhea, bloating are all symptoms of the side effects of Metformin. This is why typically one is started on 500mg a day and worked up in dosages over a period of time, u usually every month. The inital discomfort goes away in 2- 3 weeks. Since you have that much discomfort I would call your MD and discuss this with him. This is not a healthy way to loose weight nor is it ideal to have this much distress being a diabetic. It can potentially cause problems with carbohydrate metabolism resulting in highs or lows.

Please notify the MD office of your symptoms and distress and create the best plan.

Here's to better days and best self management.

Answered By: Janet HowardDucsay
Accreditations: RN BSN CDE
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