taking my metformin all at once? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

laurenbeast · 02-02-2011, 04:17 PM

I take 1500 mg of extended release metformin. i was told to take it 3x a day with food... so i'm supposed to take 500 mg with every meal.. but it's difficult to remember to do... what do you think would happen if i just took it once a day? does anyone else do this?

PinkHoodie · 02-02-2011, 04:51 PM

I think that could be very dangerous. It has the potential to drop your blood sugar way to low, way to fast.
I really encourage you to follow your dr's instructions with medications. The instructions given are given for a reason, not just because.
Hopefully someone else can help you out with more concrete answers for why its dangerous.

jumphigh · 02-02-2011, 04:52 PM

If you were told to take it 3x a day then that will keep your blood sugar level through out the day if you take it all at once you blood sugar might drop to low and that can cause a lot of problems.

seagirl · 02-02-2011, 04:54 PM

Ask your doctor if there is a kind that you can take once a day if you think you can only remember to take it once a day.

mandalinn82 · 02-02-2011, 04:55 PM

FWIW, you might ask your doctor. Standard instruction for the extended release would have you take it once per day (unlike the standard metformin, which you do need more regularly throughout the day). My prescription is for extended release, 3 tablets once per day. That said, you don't want to go changing your prescription info/dosage/instructions without talking to your doctor. Give them a call and ask if it will be OK - again, with the ER formula, it might be just fine.

laurenbeast · 02-02-2011, 05:26 PM

gosh! i'm silly... i didn't even THINK of the fact that it might make my blood sugar drop.. i don't know why!
i'll definitely be calling my doctor tomorrow.. if not, i'll just have to find ways to remind myself to take it.

beerab · 02-02-2011, 06:01 PM

Not to mention you'll probably yack like mad. The regular 500mg makes me nauseous!

Willow324 · 02-02-2011, 06:16 PM

Im totally guilty of this...I am not IR or Diabetic, but my repoductive endo prescribed me 500mg 4x a day. That is just rediculous. I take 2 at lunch and 2 at dinner. If I eat a lot of carbs I do get really nauseous. I guess Ill have to ask about the XR too.

astrophe · 02-02-2011, 07:00 PM

When I took 2000 XR, I took it as 2 and 2. So yeah -- see what the doc says about all 3 or 2 and 1 or...

A.

laurenbeast · 02-06-2011, 07:43 PM

beerab - i actually don't get sick on the extended release version of IR... like at all. the first week i took it, i did have the gastrointestinal extravaganza that's predicted with taking it, but as soon as my body got used to the meds, it went away. the normal kind (not extended release) gave me the worst side effects i've ever had on any medication, and also at that time i was taking a birth control that wasn't low-dose, so that added to it (i was a complete emotional wreck. i quit taking it completely and 8 months later without a period, i started a low-dose birth control loestrin24FE and i couldn't be happier with it.)

willow - you don't already take XR? it's SO much better and easier for your system to handle than the harsh regular version... i'd definitely give it a shot.