Metformin ER vs. regular Metformin

Some of you have shared about switching to the extended release of Metformin
and that helped with stomach troubles. How do you know "when" or "if" to
switch? Any side effects that are different with the extended? Does it
change BG fluxuations? I might talk to the doctor about that on our next
visit. I have been pretty sick with the regular, and I am only on 500 BID
Metformin.
Thanks,
Kris

"Cougar" <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:135eoneb5rujd08@corp.supernews.com...
> Some of you have shared about switching to the extended release of
> Metformin
> and that helped with stomach troubles. How do you know "when" or "if" to
> switch? Any side effects that are different with the extended? Does it
> change BG fluxuations? I might talk to the doctor about that on our next
> visit. I have been pretty sick with the regular, and I am only on 500 BID
> Metformin.

I was on Metformin and was taken off of it due to frequent hypos and an
abnormally low A1c. Then things changed and my BG soared no matter what I
did. Was put on Starlix and it didn't seem to do a thing for me, but my
Drs. continued to have me take it for several years. I moved from one
state, to another. The Dr. there started me on Metformin ER and it wasn't
helping me much either. Moved to yet another state and the Dr. here put me
on the regular Metformin as well as Amaryl. Frankly I'm not sure they do
much for me either. But AFAIK, I have not had intestinal trouble from the
Metformin.

Now give me a sugar alcohol or any one of the GERD meds and I'll have
trouble!

Cougar <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:
: Some of you have shared about switching to the extended release of Metformin
: and that helped with stomach troubles. How do you know "when" or "if" to
: switch? Any side effects that are different with the extended? Does it
: change BG fluxuations? I might talk to the doctor about that on our next
: visit. I have been pretty sick with the regular, and I am only on 500 BID
: Metformin.
: Thanks,
: Kris

Hell, you know when you should switch. When you can go out of doors
without haveing taken an immodium or you will be running to any bathroom
you can find.

I was sent to a gastroenterologist by my endo and had a colonoscopy to
make sure nothing weird was happening. the gastroenterologist looked at
my istor and my innerds and thought the first thing to try is eMetformin
EX, as I had wanted to . It worked like a charm. I take it , 1000mg BID
(now we all know what that means) so my metformin is a spred out as
possible. No change in my bgs fom the switch.

Wendy

On Fri, 25 May 2007 17:29:38 -0500, "Cougar"
<cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Some of you have shared about switching to the extended release of Metformin
>and that helped with stomach troubles. How do you know "when" or "if" to
>switch? Any side effects that are different with the extended? Does it
>change BG fluxuations? I might talk to the doctor about that on our next
>visit. I have been pretty sick with the regular, and I am only on 500 BID
>Metformin.
>Thanks,
>Kris
>

My doctor tried me on the Metformin ER a few years back and I did not
do as well on it so with his approval I switched back. I think that is
why we so often say, "YMMVV" in these posts.
--

Grandpa Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Americans killed in the occupation of Iraq as of May 24, 2007 is 3,441.
United Kingdom = 149 Other = 127.

How many more Americans must die to satisfy Bush's ego?
Let us all pray for Bush - God knows he needs it!

As of May 25, 2007 it has been 1506 days since Bush
while standing in front of the banner which was sent
to the ship by the White House saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
declared,"In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our
allies have prevailed." IOW MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Isn't Bush's "surge" of troops working well?
Pay attention to the frequency of American deaths since it began.


"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross." --Sinclair
Lewis

"you will be running to any bathroom you can find."
Or if you live in a rural area, where I do ,any tree will do...if you can
find a bushy one in the middle of the desert...LOL.. Imodium was my sidekick
for a long while...but now that I am on ER I hardly ever have any
problems..no nausea, no bad stomach pains...not trots
Jacquie
"W. Baker" <wbaker@panix.com> wrote in message
news:f37qed$m5i$1@reader2.panix.com...
> Cougar <cougar_rocklightening@yahoo.com> wrote:
> : Some of you have shared about switching to the extended release of
> Metformin
> : and that helped with stomach troubles. How do you know "when" or "if"
> to
> : switch? Any side effects that are different with the extended? Does it
> : change BG fluxuations? I might talk to the doctor about that on our
> next
> : visit. I have been pretty sick with the regular, and I am only on 500
> BID
> : Metformin.
> : Thanks,
> : Kris
>
> Hell, you know when you should switch. When you can go out of doors
> without haveing taken an immodium or you will be running to any bathroom
> you can find.
>
> I was sent to a gastroenterologist by my endo and had a colonoscopy to
> make sure nothing weird was happening. the gastroenterologist looked at
> my istor and my innerds and thought the first thing to try is eMetformin
> EX, as I had wanted to . It worked like a charm. I take it , 1000mg BID
> (now we all know what that means) so my metformin is a spred out as
> possible. No change in my bgs fom the switch.
>
> Wendy

Supposedly something like 80% of the people taking metformin outlive
the gastro-disastro side effects after the first 2 weeks. Some don't
and some have those effects worse than others.

But the ER version cuts those effects way down in the first place. The
makers of Glucophage, the original brand name form of metfromin, cite
about 50% with diarrhea and 20% with nausea with the regular
Glucophage. With Glucophage ER, that was 8% with diarrhea, and a
simiar reduction with nausea.

That's because although it is exactly the same active ingredient, the
ER formulation keeps it from hitting you all at once. And since the
medicine depends on reaching an effective level in your bloodstream
and then staying there, spreading out the release is just as effective
for the intended purpose.

Morris

On May 25, 10:26�pm, morris <morrisol...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Supposedly something like 80% of the people taking metformin outlive
> the gastro-disastro side effects after the first 2 weeks. Some don't
> and some have those effects worse than others.
>
> But the ER version cuts those effects way down in the first place. The
> makers of Glucophage, the original brand name form of metfromin, cite
> about 50% with diarrhea and 20% with nausea with the regular
> Glucophage. *With Glucophage ER, that was 8% with diarrhea, and a
> simiar reduction with nausea.
>
> That's because although it is exactly the same active ingredient, the
> ER formulation keeps it from hitting you all at once. And since the
> medicine depends on reaching an effective level in your bloodstream
> and then staying there, spreading out the release is just as effective
> for the intended purpose.
>
> Morris

Morris: I don't have much a a problem with regular metformin. Some
loose stools which also be related to a low carb diet. Problem I had
with ER version.... I noticed on many occasions partially dissolved
tablets in he toilet. The package insert does mention this but
methinks this reflects poor absorption into the blood stream hence
lower blood levels.

Larry

Larry <boelkowj@aol.com> wrote:
: On May 25, 10:26???pm, morris <morrisol...@comcast.net> wrote:
: > Supposedly something like 80% of the people taking metformin outlive
: > the gastro-disastro side effects after the first 2 weeks. Some don't
: > and some have those effects worse than others.
: >
: > But the ER version cuts those effects way down in the first place. The
: > makers of Glucophage, the original brand name form of metfromin, cite
: > about 50% with diarrhea and 20% with nausea with the regular
: > Glucophage. ?With Glucophage ER, that was 8% with diarrhea, and a
: > simiar reduction with nausea.
: >
: > That's because although it is exactly the same active ingredient, the
: > ER formulation keeps it from hitting you all at once. And since the
: > medicine depends on reaching an effective level in your bloodstream
: > and then staying there, spreading out the release is just as effective
: > for the intended purpose.
: >
: > Morris

: Morris: I don't have much a a problem with regular metformin. Some
: loose stools which also be related to a low carb diet. Problem I had
: with ER version.... I noticed on many occasions partially dissolved
: tablets in he toilet. The package insert does mention this but
: methinks this reflects poor absorption into the blood stream hence
: lower blood levels.

: Larry

From what I understand, what sometimes is passed from the body is the kind
of frame for the metformintnat dissolves at different rates in order to
provide extended release. Sometimes some of the frame is no completely
absorbed and passes in the stool, but all the medication is gone and
absorbed by the body.

The presence of this "frame" is the reason tht extended release pills
cannot be split.

Wendy

I never did get over it the first time around, but the second time
with extended release, it wasn't a problem at all.

Cheri


morris wrote in message
<1180157196.684072.170710@x35g2000prf.googlegroups .com>...
>Supposedly something like 80% of the people taking metformin outlive
>the gastro-disastro side effects after the first 2 weeks. Some don't
>and some have those effects worse than others.

Kris, I never was on regular metformin . When I went on metformin , I
was just started on the ER immediately. I dont know what the differenc
is except that I take it after dinner all at once.

Loretta

On May 26, 1:39�pm, sassybklynl...@webtv.net (Loretta Eisenberg)
wrote:
> Kris, I never was on regular metformin . *When I went on metformin , I
> was just started on the ER immediately. *I dont know what the differenc
> is except that I take it after dinner all at once.
>
> Loretta

Wendy: I've found nearly solid ER tablets this way. I cut it with a
razor blade and found solid dry powder ie. undisolved metformin.

Larry

"Loretta Eisenberg" wrote ...
> Kris, I never was on regular metformin . When I went on metformin , I
> was just started on the ER immediately. I dont know what the differenc
> is except that I take it after dinner all at once.
>
> Loretta
>

This is the first time I have noticed any reference to the whole ER dose
being taken after dinner.

Nev.

Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you dont
have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right after
dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to reemmber.
I usually take morning pills and night pills, but there are a couple
during the day, which I am constantly forgetting. By the way, it was
under doctors order and it is on my prescription bottle.

Loretta

"Loretta Eisenberg" wrote ...
> Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you dont
> have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right after
> dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to reemmber.
> I usually take morning pills and night pills, but there are a couple
> during the day, which I am constantly forgetting. By the way, it was
> under doctors order and it is on my prescription bottle.
>
It was about twelve months ago that I found out that ER was available
in Oz and I asked my GP to change me over to it, and he did, but he
still prescribed it as twice a day. However, my GP recently retired and
I saw a new GP yesterday and he showed me the documentation that
said to prescribe it once a day after dinner, and he did. So I shall
take it that way, although either way should have the same result as far
as I can see.

Nev.

Nev. <nev@nowhere.org> wrote:

: "Loretta Eisenberg" wrote ...
: > Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you dont
: > have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right after
: > dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to reemmber.
: > I usually take morning pills and night pills, but there are a couple
: > during the day, which I am constantly forgetting. By the way, it was
: > under doctors order and it is on my prescription bottle.
: >
: It was about twelve months ago that I found out that ER was available
: in Oz and I asked my GP to change me over to it, and he did, but he
: still prescribed it as twice a day. However, my GP recently retired and
: I saw a new GP yesterday and he showed me the documentation that
: said to prescribe it once a day after dinner, and he did. So I shall
: take it that way, although either way should have the same result as far
: as I can see.

: Nev.

I decided to continue to take it twice a day when I ws switched, as I
wanted to stretch it out as much as possible to avoid too much at any one
time causing me the ghastly stomach problems. My Endo was fine with
that. I, hnestly, dont knwo if this is an issue as I was not willing to
risk the constant trots to test it. I may be my own science experiment,
but this is one I preferred to avoid.

Wendy

How much are both of you taking? I was wondering about stomach upset
if you're taking more than 500mg at a time, since others have said it
does cause them problems.

Cheri


Nev. wrote in message
<4666f492$0$992$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>.. .
>
>"Loretta Eisenberg" wrote ...
>> Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you
dont
>> have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right
after
>> dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to
reemmber.
>> I usually take morning pills and night pills, but there are a
couple
>> during the day, which I am constantly forgetting. By the way, it
was
>> under doctors order and it is on my prescription bottle.
>>
>It was about twelve months ago that I found out that ER was available
>in Oz and I asked my GP to change me over to it, and he did, but he
>still prescribed it as twice a day. However, my GP recently retired
and
>I saw a new GP yesterday and he showed me the documentation that
>said to prescribe it once a day after dinner, and he did. So I shall
>take it that way, although either way should have the same result as
far
>as I can see.
>
>Nev.
>
>

"Cheri" wrote ...
> How much are both of you taking? I was wondering about stomach upset
> if you're taking more than 500mg at a time, since others have said it
> does cause them problems.
>

I was taking 2x500mg at a time twice a day. I will now be taking 4x500mg
once a day after dinner. I feel that under both systems I will have exactly
the same strength of ER in my system throughout the day.

I think Loretta's explanantion is probably a good one :-

> Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you dont
> have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right after
> dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to reemmber.

Happy Pill Popping,

Nev.

----

Cheri, I take 1500 mgs after dinner every night. Actually when I
started to take the ER my stomach distress was less. I dont know why,
but it is

Loretta

Thanks Loretta and Nev. I was wondering because a friend of mine has
recently been told the same thing as you, to take it all at once. I
told her I hadn't heard of taking it all at once due to some having
stomach problems, but now I have heard of it. :-) I take 500 mg and
2mg of Amaryl daily. The first year of so of taking met, before I got
off meds, it was very hard on my tummy. When I got back on meds taking
500 mg of Met and 2 mgs of Amaryl, I had no problem at all. Don't know
why.

Cheri


Loretta Eisenberg wrote in message
<22761-466728A8-266@storefull-3232.bay.webtv.net>...
Cheri, I take 1500 mgs after dinner every night. Actually when I
started to take the ER my stomach distress was less. I dont know why,
but it is

Loretta

I take Metformin ER 1000 mg after dinner and 500 mg at Breakfast...I told my
Dr and she was ok with it. It helps me remember to take my Lasix in the
morning
"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
news:RPKdnSdtt_WklPrbnZ2dnUVZ_j2dnZ2d@inreach.com. ..
> How much are both of you taking? I was wondering about stomach upset
> if you're taking more than 500mg at a time, since others have said it
> does cause them problems.
>
> Cheri
>
>
> Nev. wrote in message
> <4666f492$0$992$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>.. .
>>
>>"Loretta Eisenberg" wrote ...
>>> Nev I bvelieve it is the whole point of taking the Er is that you
> dont
>>> have to keep worrying to remember the pills. I take them right
> after
>>> dinner, once a day. I am happy because there are so many to
> reemmber.
>>> I usually take morning pills and night pills, but there are a
> couple
>>> during the day, which I am constantly forgetting. By the way, it
> was
>>> under doctors order and it is on my prescription bottle.
>>>
>>It was about twelve months ago that I found out that ER was available
>>in Oz and I asked my GP to change me over to it, and he did, but he
>>still prescribed it as twice a day. However, my GP recently retired
> and
>>I saw a new GP yesterday and he showed me the documentation that
>>said to prescribe it once a day after dinner, and he did. So I shall
>>take it that way, although either way should have the same result as
> far
>>as I can see.
>>
>>Nev.
>>
>>
>
>