Metformin experiences and side effects

Hey there, I could probably use a little hand here. So, I just got back from my specialist appointment and she recommended I start taking metformin. But then, when I swung by the pharmacy to pick up my prescription, the pharmacist tells me the doctor actually wrote down metformin. I'm wondering, is that basically the same thing, or did my doctor maybe just mess up the name?

Wait, where did you hear the tablets were called metformin? 🙂 That’s actually just the active ingredient—the brand name is usually something like metformin (made by Pfizer). A bunch of different pharma companies make metformin tablets, so you might see USA metformin PharmaS, metformin, or Glucophage (from Eli Lilly)... Basically, it’s all the exact same drug under the generic name metformin, just different brand names depending on who makes it.

Even though it's the same medication, it is possible to experience different side effects. If you’ve used other brands with metformin before, definitely check with your doctor just to make sure there wasn't a mix-up. If this is your first time taking it, she probably prescribed the Pfizer version because it's the most affordable option. 😛

Anyway, I’d suggest giving your doctor a quick call—just tell them those two different names have you feeling a bit confused and you want to double-check that everything is okay. You aren't a medical professional—you don't need to know all this technical stuff, and there's absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed about asking. 🙂

dustyowl22 said:Wait, where did you hear the tablets were called metformin? 🙂 That’s actually just the active ingredient—the brand name is usually something like metformin (made by Pfizer). A bunch of different pharma companies make metformin tablets, so you might see USA metformin PharmaS, metformin, or Glucophage (from Eli Lilly)... Basically, it’s all the exact same drug under the generic name metformin, just different brand names depending on who makes it.

Even though it's the same medication, it is possible to experience different side effects. If you’ve used other brands with metformin before, definitely check with your doctor just to make sure there wasn't a mix-up. If this is your first time taking it, she probably prescribed the Pfizer version because it's the most affordable option. 😛

Anyway, I’d suggest giving your doctor a quick call—just tell them those two different names have you feeling a bit confused and you want to double-check that everything is okay. You aren't a medical professional—you don't need to know all this technical stuff, and there's absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed about asking. 🙂

Where on earth would I even get that from? 🙂 So, I just assumed that because the lab report only said Metformin, maybe that was just the actual name of the pill? I mean, usually they write out the specific brand name on my prescriptions, so I figured I’d better check. That's why I popped in here to ask since I honestly don't have a clue about any of this stuff. Thanks for clearing that up for me!
I've never actually used those types of pills before... I saw they're made by Pfizer, so I guess that means they aren't exactly the top-tier stuff since they're basically the cheapest option available, right? Or maybe I'm just overthinking it... idk.
Anyway, if anyone out there actually has some real-world experience using those pills, would you mind sharing? I'd really appreciate it!

It doesn't matter if it's the cheapest option—every medication has to meet certain standards before it even hits the shelf. A lot of things drive up the price, like how it's manufactured, which doesn't necessarily mean the quality is any better. Usually, people only opt for the pricier brands if they're dealing with nasty side effects from the basic stuff—hoping the more expensive version might be easier on them—or if they have specific contraindications.

Back in the day, specialists could basically call the shots on which specific brand a GP would prescribe—they'd pick a manufacturer based on their own preferences. But starting this year, the specialist just lists the active ingredient, and then the doctor writes the prescription for whatever is the most cost-effective option within that group, following Medicare guidelines. Maybe that's what's happening here 🙂

I have been taking Siofor—which is essentially just metformin—for quite some time now. I noticed there is already an extensive amount of information regarding metformin in the PCOS thread, probably because it seems to be the go-to medication for most women dealing with PCOS...

Thanks! I’m really hoping I don't run into those nasty side effects I used to get from my old diabetes pills. There's just one thing in the instructions that's tripping me up, though. It says you shouldn't take this if your blood sugar isn't under control, like if you're dealing with hyperglycemia or something...
But my sugar levels spike all the time—sometimes hitting 340—so now I'm kind of confused?

I’m not entirely sure what they mean by "not taking it"—I suppose they probably just mean a patient should consult their doctor first, which is exactly what you did, of course, and that this kind of fluctuation isn't exactly a daily occurrence. Or so I assume. 🤷

Like neonnomad18 mentioned, many women dealing with PCOS are prescribed metformin (regardless of the specific brand name) provided they have confirmed insulin resistance, often as a way to assist with conception if other methods aren't working out.

Both my mother and grandmother—her mother—are diabetics, and they definitely experience those blood sugar spikes, especially during stressful times (like surgeries, managing pain, etc.) or when they aren't being particularly careful with their diet and exercise. There were instances where it went over 200, and both of them take metformin (Glucophage). 🤷

Samuel Morgan40 said:I’m not entirely sure what they mean by "not taking it"—I suppose they probably just mean a patient should consult their doctor first, which is exactly what you did, of course, and that this kind of fluctuation isn't exactly a daily occurrence. Or so I assume. 🤷

Like neonnomad18 mentioned, many women dealing with PCOS are prescribed metformin (regardless of the specific brand name) provided they have confirmed insulin resistance, often as a way to assist with conception if other methods aren't working out.

Both my mother and grandmother—her mother—are diabetics, and they definitely experience those blood sugar spikes, especially during stressful times (like surgeries, managing pain, etc.) or when they aren't being particularly careful with their diet and exercise. There were instances where it went over 200, and both of them take metformin (Glucophage). 🤷

Unfortunately, I haven't really had the chance to lay all my symptoms out for my internist because, I don't know, maybe I didn't seem that important to her or something. So now I'm stuck hunting people down online and searching the web for everything I need to know.
My blood sugar has been high every single day for the last few months, but I haven't actually gotten around to telling anyone about it yet. :/

Look, you really need to take this seriously. It’s a big deal—seriously. I know from my own family history, and honestly, I had to be incredibly strict with myself when I dealt with gestational diabetes during my pregnancy.

My advice? Try to schedule an appointment right away. If the wait times at your local clinic are ridiculous—and let's face it, our healthcare system can be a total mess with those endless waiting lists—maybe set aside some cash for a private doctor instead. I know how it goes; if you go through public insurance, you feel like you're being rushed through a fast lane where you barely have time to finish a sentence, let alone get actual answers. You have to insist that they pinpoint the exact cause.

Have you been taking any medications over the last few months? Or maybe dealing with any specific pain?

I actually tried seeing some private specialists, too. But man, those out-of-pocket costs for tests are just insane—I seriously can't swing that right now. And the wait times at the local hospitals? Total nightmare. I waited like five whole months just to get an appointment with an internist. It’s such a bummer because I really wanted to sit down and actually talk through everything that's going on with my health.
The only thing is, my head starts throbbing lately whenever my blood sugar goes haywire. I deal with some pretty intense hyperinsulinemia, so my sugar levels are constantly dropping. On top of that, I get these pains around my pancreas area, kind of stretching down a bit. It gets way worse if I don't eat enough, so I guess I have to overeat just to keep things steady. That whole cycle is basically how I ended up with diabetes and putting on the weight.
I'm really crossing my fingers that these pills will help me get back on track. I did get an ultrasound on my pancreas, but they didn't find anything specific. The suggestion was to maybe go for more detailed imaging, which I mentioned to my internist, but they're kind of skeptical and don't think that's where the issue lies.

I honestly don't get what the confusion is here... I mean, if you've got diabetes, you're on metformin specifically because of that! So, what was the deal with seeing an internist in the first place?

Jerry Walker79 said:I honestly don't get what the confusion is here... I mean, if you've got diabetes, you're on metformin specifically because of that! So, what was the deal with seeing an internist in the first place?

I actually came on here to ask because I'm pretty confused myself. I was prescribed the pills because my hyperinsulinemia is acting up big time, and honestly, I didn't even get a chance to say anything about high blood sugar—maybe the doctor just saw it on some lab results or something, I guess, who knows. The prescription note mentioned not taking the tablets if blood sugar is already high. Did you guys happen to read my earlier comments?

John Barnes55 said:I actually came on here to ask because I'm pretty confused myself. I was prescribed the pills because my hyperinsulinemia is acting up big time, and honestly, I didn't even get a chance to say anything about high blood sugar—maybe the doctor just saw it on some lab results or something, I guess, who knows. The prescription note mentioned not taking the tablets if blood sugar is already high. Did you guys happen to read my earlier comments?

Look, I've gone through all the comments, but honestly, the whole situation still makes zero sense to me.😢
If you're dealing with diabetes, shouldn't your primary care physician have that under control? You're supposed to be managing it strictly with diet first and foremost, and then meds, right?
It is legitimately insane that people are out here just guessing whether or not someone should be taking metformin. By the way, what dose did they give you? My aunt takes it for her high blood sugar; I don't know the exact amount, but she takes it three times a day. As for me, my blood sugar was actually normal, but metformin helped me out because I had some mild insulin resistance. I was taking 500mg twice a day.

Honestly, everything would be just perfect if I didn't have this hyperinsulinemia issue, you know what I mean?
I actually got some pills before, but I ended up stopping them because the side effects were just brutal—it felt like they were making my health worse instead of better. But now, I've been prescribed these new ones, and from what I can tell, they're a totally different class of medication and seem specifically meant for my situation. My blood sugar was actually pretty steady for years, at least until about a year ago.
I'm taking a 1000 mg dose right after dinner. Man, I swear, I wouldn't mind if it was just high blood sugar... these constant swings are honestly just draining my entire system. I'll see my levels hit 12 at 6:15 PM, and then suddenly it's all over the place within 15 minutes.

Well, I have some idea how long the wait times for an internist can be—my grandmother is actually going through this exact ordeal right now (it’s truly a miserable 😢), and my mother had to endure a similar marathon just to get her treatment plan sorted. Your options seem limited: either you wait forever, or you pay a small fortune to go to a private specialist who will finally tell you what's actually going on. And let me tell you, those out-of-pocket costs are absolutely brutal.

I suppose one way to handle this might be to really press your primary care physician with questions—make sure they write down every single thing possible on your referrals. Then, once you finally make it to the specialist, you should lay everything out on the table; maybe even keep a written log if you're worried about forgetting details under pressure.

There is clearly something happening within your system, especially since your blood sugar has been acting so erratically lately; you definitely need a much more thorough diagnostic workup. That is precisely why I say this. From what I can gather, it seems like you were dealing with a specific symptom or some unexplained pain, and you likely overcompensated by eating more to try and manage that discomfort—which, given the weight gain, ultimately contributed to developing diabetes. Now, you're stuck in this frustrating cycle where you're facing the consequences without having received the necessary medical investigation. 🤷

Isn't that basically just insulin resistance? At least, that's how I processed it after falling down a rabbit hole of medical articles online. And most of the time, they mention using metformin for it. I also read somewhere that you're supposed to take it right during a meal—specifically the one where you're hitting the carbs hardest.
Look, you really need to try and stabilize those blood sugar spikes through your diet first. Honestly, all the medication in the world won't do squat if you aren't watching what you put on your plate. I don't know if you've run into terms like glycemic index or glycemic load yet, but you should definitely look into them. Try cleaning up your eating habits by sticking to foods with a low or maybe even moderate glycemic index. For me, that means ditching the white bread and pasta for 100% whole grain stuff. No white flour, no added sugar, and cut back on the fresh dairy products that are loaded with whey. Stick to meat, fish, tons of veggies—especially leafy greens and legumes—and just stay away from potatoes and heavy salads.

Samuel Morgan40 said:Well, I have some idea how long the wait times for an internist can be—my grandmother is actually going through this exact ordeal right now (it’s truly a miserable 😢), and my mother had to endure a similar marathon just to get her treatment plan sorted. Your options seem limited: either you wait forever, or you pay a small fortune to go to a private specialist who will finally tell you what's actually going on. And let me tell you, those out-of-pocket costs are absolutely brutal.

I suppose one way to handle this might be to really press your primary care physician with questions—make sure they write down every single thing possible on your referrals. Then, once you finally make it to the specialist, you should lay everything out on the table; maybe even keep a written log if you're worried about forgetting details under pressure.

There is clearly something happening within your system, especially since your blood sugar has been acting so erratically lately; you definitely need a much more thorough diagnostic workup. That is precisely why I say this. From what I can gather, it seems like you were dealing with a specific symptom or some unexplained pain, and you likely overcompensated by eating more to try and manage that discomfort—which, given the weight gain, ultimately contributed to developing diabetes. Now, you're stuck in this frustrating cycle where you're facing the consequences without having received the necessary medical investigation. 🤷

And poor elderly people in the hospitals, especially when they start shuttling them from one building to another when they're so old they can barely move... we younger folks have it a little easier, I guess.

You totally nailed it, that's exactly how it feels for me. I am seriously going to badger my doctor about every single referral I can get, that's my only shot at getting those tests done.

Jerry Walker79 said:Isn't that basically just insulin resistance? At least, that's how I processed it after falling down a rabbit hole of medical articles online. And most of the time, they mention using metformin for it. I also read somewhere that you're supposed to take it right during a meal—specifically the one where you're hitting the carbs hardest.
Look, you really need to try and stabilize those blood sugar spikes through your diet first. Honestly, all the medication in the world won't do squat if you aren't watching what you put on your plate. I don't know if you've run into terms like glycemic index or glycemic load yet, but you should definitely look into them. Try cleaning up your eating habits by sticking to foods with a low or maybe even moderate glycemic index. For me, that means ditching the white bread and pasta for 100% whole grain stuff. No white flour, no added sugar, and cut back on the fresh dairy products that are loaded with whey. Stick to meat, fish, tons of veggies—especially leafy greens and legumes—and just stay away from potatoes and heavy salads.

I guess that's pretty much it. I tend to eat most of my food in the evening before bed so I can sleep through the night like a normal person, because otherwise, I wake up feeling like a little kid since my sugar drops.

Dieting... yeah, I've read a ton about it. I really did try to cut down on carbs, I even tried cutting out bread entirely for a bit, but man, I just couldn't handle it. I felt so weak, I couldn't even make it out the door. Even though I was eating white bread back then, we haven't bought that kind for years now; it's always been black or whole wheat and stuff like that. And I cook everything every day. I don't even use oil, just olive oil for everything. Basically, whatever I tried, nothing seemed to work, I guess. I honestly don't know why, but unless I have some bread with my meal, I get dizzy, feel super weak, headaches, etc. I actually mentioned that to my internist. Maybe once those pills help stabilize my insulin, I'll be able to cut back on carbs easier, since I don't even crave them that much anyway.

Can anyone tell me if I can pick up Siofor without a prescription?
I’m asking for a friend who lives outside the US and they just don't have it over there. Maybe they have something similar available? She keeps insisting that Siofor is the only thing her system actually handles well.

Frank Hughes40 said:Can anyone tell me if I can pick up Siofor without a prescription?
I’m asking for a friend who lives outside the US and they just don't have it over there. Maybe they have something similar available? She keeps insisting that Siofor is the only thing her system actually handles well.

You could try getting it under a cash pay arrangement for metabolic syndrome,
but you’ll be footing the whole bill—full price plus tax and whatever markup the pharmacy adds.