How Does Metformin Work? (Pharmacology for Nurses)

[@TracyAllenPreplanner]

I am not ashamed to say that I still enjoy learning with “childlike explanations”!😊 Thank you for making it interesting, simple, and fun to learn about this medication… That’s making me go to the bathroom like crazy 😬🤦🏽‍♀️ At least I know it’s working the way it should👍💓

[@jameskantor0459]

@ Tracy Allen, Metformin ER extended release is much easier on your stomach.

[@rachellebrady1517]

I’m not a nurse, but I really appreciate hearing how a medication works before I take it. Thanks!

[@EASYTIGER10]

This is excellent. It doesn't just tell you what side effects are, it helps you understand WHY they occur

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you :)

[@felixlee9645]

@@NurseMinder so neat

[@robertstancliffsr9575]

I'n my case, having taken metformin for over 25 years, there have been no bad side effects. No low B-!2, no liver or kidney damage...it just works, and now at the age of 78 I'm hoping it's also a longevity drug. Highly recommended by me......

[@NatLopez]

My doctor prescribed metformin and this was great to understand what’s going on. Didn’t understand why I was so nauseous till now. Thanks for the video!

[@NurseMinder]

Happy to help

[@Aris-Darling]

One of the best videos I’ve seen about Metformin. It’s entertaining and informative. It’s clear you have a talent for teaching

[@NurseMinder]

😊 thank you for the feedback. I do love teaching!

[@jaylee842]

For the first time, I could draw a picture of the medicine and rationale why it has diarrhea as a side effect. Thank you so much, Professor.

[@Imokanurnot]

I'm so glad I found this video, it exained a LOT of things that my doctor DIDN'T!

[@michelleramirez2938]

Thanks

[@irvingbeeks9661]

This video MAY BE the reason I begin metformin!! I recently have been having high BS spikes and don’t know why! I workout, I meal prep, I’m not a snacker, I’m not overly aggressive wit sugars, and outta nowhere it jus spiked!! Generics are prolly the reason but I’ve been tryin to decrease this without the use of meds but I will say if I do turn to meds this video would be the convincing factor cause NOBODY has been able to break it down for me like this and THIS is what I needed to understand!! THANK YOU!!

[@NurseMinder]

Oh wow! I am thrilled to hear this has helped you understand how the medication could support you

[@itsmev3539]

Wow, i am watching this now and since i have been recently diagnosed with diabetes( type2) this is so helpful in understanding what goes through in my body. Thank you so much for educating normal people in such a simple and intresting way.

[@NurseMinder]

Happy to help :)

[@DashaunWilliams-m3r]

This video helped me tremendously, I actually stopped taking my meds because I didn't understand what the heck anyone else's explanation of why I needed it and what exactly metformin does...I literally watched this video and took my nightly dosage thank very much

[@NurseMinder]

Ah! I am so happy this helped you make a more informed choice for you. That makes my heart sing. Onward to better health outcomes 💕

[@brittx3]

I was just put on this medication. I am not diabetic yet so we are trying to stay away from it. I am in and out of the bathroom all the time and have occasional headaches/no appetite. Your video helped explain so much. Thank you. You’re a great teacher

[@NurseMinder]

Great!

[@brenlee7242]

Same here my a1c thing was. 6.0 so she asked if I wanted to do metformin b4 it get worse

[@sarahjones5669]

I googled and googled and couldn’t find any of the answered presented as clearly as you did. THANK YOU!🎉

[@NurseMinder]

You are welcome :)

[@shafiqbasheer]

You explained this topic better than my Dr. 😀

[@chrisevertte6427]

You did such a fantastic job in explaining the way met Forman is used by the body. You broke it down to the point where I have 13-year-old daughter could understand. Thank you so much.

[@NurseMinder]

Thats awesome! I love sharing analogies

[@MagPie666]

Wow, thanks so much for this, was prescribed metformin, no one explained how this medication worked, i was definitely not taking it correctly as a result. Thanks for this.

[@skip123davis]

i recently started on metformin, and have been trying to figure out how it works. this went a long way! the narrative makes it more conceptual. i'm an engineer, but the only course i flunked was chemistry. i didn't need it for my major, so i went for materials science, which for me was a much better call. i have impaired kidney function, and was wondering why the drug seems to "stack up" in my body. now i know why i need less. i was waking up shaky, and levels in the 60's. makes sense now.

[@NurseMinder]

Awesome. Happy to help

[@robertstancliffsr9575]

Are you taking any other drug for diabetes. If you are, I suggest cutting back on that drug, If not, then take less metformin. I am a type 2 diabetic (25 years) and rarely does metformin drive my sugar too low. My morning readings are almost always 90-105.

[@beastrace81]

I just started on Metformin and this explains a lot to me.

[@shanebradley8081]

Go back to 1:45 and play it…she told you that she’s not going to tell you how diabetes occurs… WAKE UP If a DR gave you a prescription in one hand and a diet in the other and told ya,”The prescription for Metformin will manage the symptoms while your diet will continue to press on you until it’s gets significantly worse AND the diet will give you 15 years of your life…” So which one will you choose in that time? Probably the option to save you 15 years… Learn about diabetes NOT metformin

[@Tsukino1011]

@@shanebradley8081 exactly diabetes can be reversed with healthy and a better lifestyle.

[@NurseMinder]

diabetes cannot be reversed. it is a common belief that when we normalize our sugars WITH diet and exercise that we have removed the disease. Not true. We are managing it with non medical efforts. The disease process still exists

[@bleh..5907]

@@NurseMinder should we take metformin before or after meals

[@robedwards7285]

Your explanation was so much better than my doctors lol but visuals always make it easier. Great job keep it up it helps tremendously

[@beelee266]

Wow!! Loved the way you broke this medication down!! Saving this video and using it to study for my weekly pharm med test this coming week! thank you!!

[@arielrodriguez6980]

Great video! How about the mitocondria? I just started Metformin and am concerened because it shuts down some mitocondria.

[@NurseMinder]

That is deeper knowledge than I know. What have you found out

[@analukameeiamokucruz-josep3495]

Thank you for the easy understanding of how metformin works.

[@noxbricault8675]

I need to do a synthesis of how metformin works in the body, now I understand the process! I just have one question. How does metformin cause some liver functions to go into "shutdown", and what would be the equivalent to the "workers" that are doing the other effect? Thanks a lot

[@NurseMinder]

It tells the liver to stop releasing the glucose that is stored in the liver. Like a cease production order

[@noxbricault8675]

@@NurseMinder Ohh, okay, thanks!

[@KurtSelf]

Great video. It really helped that you illustrated the interactions and effects in a "story form". I'm a nonmedical person, so this was VERY informative to me.

[@NurseMinder]

Awesome

[@WDJ777]

I love the video understand it so much better now. When is the best time to take metformin in the morning or in the evening?

[@NurseMinder]

It depends on a few things - and best to plan with your doc or pharmacist. If you are on any other medications, you want to consider any drug to drug interactions Most people take it with breakfast if once a day dose If you are on Extended-release tablets, the drug guide mentions taking then with evening meal

[@cherieg-johns1650]

Thank you. This is my first time watching you & I love so much that you made it easy to remember with the story & pictures for us global learners :)

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you

[@matgggg55]

Not any kind of medical student, but was still able to understand 90% of what was being explained, you are a great teacher. Is metformin used for any kind of weight loss ? I can see how dangerous it can be but in a low dose given the avg American diet I can see it being used as a safe form of weight loss

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you for writing. Metformin is not a weight loss drug. We must consider the needs of the body (insulin resistance) and the intended use of the drug when choosing any medication

[@Chelle778]

Thankful you for making this so clear. Been taking it for a few years but was never t able to find a clears explanation of how it actually works. Great presentation.

[@NurseMinder]

Great! Glad to hear it is helpful

[@susangoh6551]

Spectacular explanations! Awesome videos. Thank you for explaining this so clearly!

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you for taking the time to write

[@t.jexplores9429]

hi hope you can help so im now a type 2 they want me to start metformin slow release ive been checking my sugar level some days it can be 12 .13 others can be 9 and drop to 4 im not doing anything different so im concerend the if i start the meds it will make my sugars drop to much it so confusing

[@NurseMinder]

Metformin is not often associated with hypoglycemia and the risk is low. Be aware of the symptoms to watch for and test blood glucose at home regularly

[@tatortrader526]

I really appreciate you taking the time in helping us to understand and spoon feed us this lesson. You are a fabulous teacher! Thank you!!!

[@sabenastewart2878]

Can you use this medication if you have high blood pressure?

[@NurseMinder]

Yes, not to treat high blood pressure. Each disease process requires a treatment plan

[@CeDel2]

BRAVO! I'm an instant subscriber. This was explained so well.

[@NurseMinder]

😊🥂

[@shakesnbake]

That was great - thank you. Have just been started on Metformin after a T2 diagnosis. This video was really helpful!

[@NurseMinder]

😊

[@VNSavedStuff2011]

Good video. I like how you present the information. I've been on metformin for a long time. What I have come to realize is that it is not just a matter of taking in proper amounts of sugar and carbs and taking the medication to get to the acceptable outcome. There are other factors that contribute to high glucose levels, such as lack of exercise, lack of sleep, inflammation, just to name a new of these other factors. It would be great if I had the medical care team that really sought to provide this type of health care. Do you know if this type of care is even considered when treating Type 2?

[@NurseMinder]

Yes there are many factors, and most are situational (inflammation, illness, stress). We consider all of that when people are in the hospital and we develop care plans

[@AshleyFromBrooklyn]

Hi. I am not a nurse or in the medical field but thanks for this video. I’m on 2000mg a day or metformin along with long acting and short acting insulin (pregnancy has caused me to have to be on insulin. Prior to this I was only on 1000 mg of metformin) and my husband is taking 1000 mg a day of metformin. We were curious to know how it works and this gave a great visual. Thanks again 😊

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you for sharing!

[@dghhambo]

I know that most people cant hike 2 hours everyday but I have been for a few months my b.s. is around 120 in the moring down from 250 to 300 my after numbers after i bike to work 7.5 miles is below 100 between 75 and 105. I have pretty muched stopped the glipizide. at 245 down from 260 lbs. Exercise i know my weight used to come down a lot quicker but don't give up keep exercising

[@ericdekker5768]

Hi, i have diabetes type 2. After breakfast i forgot to take my metformin. So the sugar in my blood rose really high and did not go down as fast... this helped me understand it so clearly.

[@NurseMinder]

😊

[@larissastuckey6214]

Thank you for this information. I’ve recently started taking this medication. I’m on day 3 and the diarrhea , nausea and flatulence is terrible.

[@NurseMinder]

Happy to help. I hope things settle soon. Stay connected with your healthcare team :)

[@sunithkumarapperuma3952]

Thank you so much for explaining the mechanism of Metformin in simple and understandable manner

[@NurseMinder]

You are welcome

[@arielrodriguez6980]

After being on metformin for 3 months and losing 10lbs my a1c went from 6.2 to 5.9. Does metformin continue to lower the a1c the longer you are on it?

[@NurseMinder]

That is great! Way to go - your heart and body thank you

[@arielrodriguez6980]

@@NurseMinder Thanks, will metformin continue to lower a1c six months out vs the first 3 months?

[@dentedcan77]

Thank you so much for making this video. I was recently prescribed Metformin and you provided the perfect amount of detail to understand these side effects. Would it be right to assume this bloating and flatuance is a byproduct of bacteria lower in the intestine feasting on all that extra glucose sliding through, or is it caused by something else?

[@NurseMinder]

Great question - what I find in the literature is these symptoms are quite common at first and usually subside. If you have been on Metformin long enough to be stabilized, then share these symptoms with your healthcare team Gastrointestinal Reactions: Very common (>1/10). Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, flatulence, and anorexia) are the most common reactions to GLUCOPHAGE and are approximately 30% more frequent in patients on GLUCOPHAGE monotherapy than in placebo-treated patients, particularly during initiation of GLUCOPHAGE therapy. These symptoms are generally transient and resolve spontaneously during continued treatment. Occasionally, temporary dose reduction may be useful. Because gastrointestinal symptoms during therapy initiation appear to be dose-related, they may be decreased by gradual dose escalation and by having patients take GLUCOPHAGE with meals (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Dosing Considerations). Because significant diarrhea and/or vomiting can cause dehydration and prerenal azotemia, GLUCOPHAGE should be temporarily discontinued under such circumstances. For patients who have been stabilized on GLUCOPHAGE, nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms should not be attributed to therapy unless intercurrent illness or lactic acidosis has been excluded.

[@edwardwertz9710]

How long does it take before the metformin starts reducing the sugar in your body from when you start taking it

[@thomasdonohue1833]

You'll know because you'll start suffering from hypoglycemia

[@whitechocolatemale]

This drug has put my numbers back into the normal range thanks Metformin

[@NurseMinder]

Yes!

[@nitigupta7213]

Are you off meds now?

[@whitechocolatemale]

@@nitigupta7213 Metformin is the only one that I am still on it works for sure!

[@chandershekhar5873]

my mother feel weakness after metformin extended release tablet 500 mg ......what should she do to restore energy and strength..thanks

[@arielstereo5484]

So if metformin had no control of the glucose, how does it lower a1c?

[@NurseMinder]

A1C is an average of blood sugar over 3 months, Metformin does lower your blood glucose through its many actions

[@toyalambeth366]

You have a talent teaching! Thank you!

[@msdanidoll]

Great job! Really helped me, don't stop making videos!

[@NurseMinder]

thanks! I appreciate the support

[@juliedzyndra4661]

This was incredible!!! Helped me understand so much!!

[@NurseMinder]

👏🍻🎉

[@osimacpr]

What a tremendous well done explanation I just started this pill yesterday, dealing with post covid diabetis

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for sharing and I hope your adjustment phase goes smoothly

[@misspoliticallyincorrect1245]

But if these symptoms happen, do they last as long as you're on the drug or do they go away eventually?

[@NurseMinder]

It varies. The key is to know if these symptoms occur, it may be drug related.

[@DavyDave1313]

I was told I was diabetic and needed to take metformin. My parents were diabetic, they were given metformin and years later they got worse and needed even more medications. My doctor told me the metformin is gonna help. But I told him that story and that I do not want any medications. He said it is up to me but strongly advises to take it and if not, let them do continuous blood tests to monitor my A1C which I agreed to. I know it’s not the right choice but seeing my parents get worse and take more medicines scares me. I don’t want that. I’m gonna try my best to eat healthy and work out. Do it naturally

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is natural for is to have worries when we have seen others on a similar journey. I am glad you shared that with your healthcare team as well. When it comes to your body, know that the medication is only one element of care and it is used to assist your body with the mechanical work it needs to do. Diet and exercise are important elements of a care plan With your family, there are many variables as to why they needed to upgrade the medical care. It is not a failure of treatment, it is a progression of disease and if the blood sugars are not controlled, there is a lot of collateral damage to eye sight, nerves, blood circulation. Diabetes is a serious disease and you sound motivated to manage it Know that you cannot reverse the illness, but you can better manage it to reduce the additional complications

[@thomasdonohue1833]

Metformin causes hypoglycemia, neuropathy and a host of other problems. They may not show up immediately but they will. Explore other sources for treating your diabetes. Doctors hand out metformin like candy and patients go for it because it's cheap.

[@DavyDave1313]

@@thomasdonohue1833 I’ve been working out, and eat healthy - zero sweets and I get some sugar but from the fruit I eat. My A1C dropped to prediabetic range. I have another one in 2 weeks hopefully it keeps dropping lower. All I did was change my eating and lost weight

[@DavyDave1313]

@@NurseMinder thank you, I know the diabetes won’t go away but I think I’m in a good place now. I changed my diet and exercise 5 times a week and have lost a lot of weight. A1C has dropped, and hopefully it keeps dropping

[@MichaelJones-yx4zv]

Awesome video... Thanks for the illustrations

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for watching !

[@frugalprepper]

I was a diabetic for decades. I was on metformin, and 300+ units of Humalin U-500 and Novalog. I was pushing 500lbs, and my A1C's were in the 14. I kept seeing diabetic nutritionists that were telling me to eat 120 grams of carbs a day and have snacks, and just eat less and move more. I needed a knee replacement, surgery on a torn rotator cuff, I was going blind and I had large diabetic leg ulcers, gout and neuropathy in my feet, and I kept get fatter and sicker. I went Keto the Carnivore, then Ketovore with occasional 3-6 day fasts and most often only got hungry once per day. I came off the Insulin completely within 2 weeks and worked down on the metformin. As to the brain requires glucose, it requires very little and your liver can make it. I was on a day 5 fast and the doc took my sugar and it came back a 21. They all started flipping out and trying to give me orange juice. I didn't drink it because I was fine. I didn't feel weird at all I was in ketosis and had plenty of energy to run on. Today I have lost over 200lbs. Loosing weight is easy. You don't have eat less and move more. You just eat as much as you want of the right kinds of foods. I eat far more calories that I ever did before, and I am never super angry hungry like I was before. And the weight still comes off a few pounds a week. My last A1C was a 4.9, on no diabetic medication. I am no longer going blind, all my leg ulcers have healed, my knee feels great (I regularly walk 10miles or more riding coasters), my torn rotator cuff doesn't hurt at all any more. My gout is gone, and my neuropathy it going away. I am no longer going blind. I think the real treatment for diabetes is not adding pills and medicine. It is teaching people to eat real food. And.. I just had a complete Cardiac work up... It is all good. A CTA scan showed no blockages of any kind, and i have a Coronary calcium score of 0. So Saturated Fat is not bad. I am still working on my High BP but I am sure with another 70-80 pounds fo weight loss it will come under control.

[@NurseMinder]

Sounds like you found something that is working for you

[@Myeternalperspective]

When taking metformin can you get hypos by working out and being on low carb?

[@NurseMinder]

Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia does not occur in patients receiving GLUCOPHAGE alone under usual circumstances of use, but could occur when caloric intake is deficient, when strenuous exercise is not compensated by caloric supplementation or during concomitant use with other glucose lowering agents or ethanol. From page 6 of this document products.sanofi.ca/en/glucophage.pdf

[@drewga403]

Fantastic explanation! Putting these complex and important concepts into an easy to remember story (and the story you created) is genius. Thank you so much!! Btw: The G.I. side effects you mentioned...don't those tend to subside as your body "gets used to" the metformin? I've had relatives who used metformin and said that at the beginning there were definitely notable side effects, particularly some diarrhea. But that after just a few days things were more or less back to normal in that department. Were they just lucky, or is that generally the experience for most patients? Again, I loved your story. Think it is an incredible aid for understanding how this medicine works. I will certainly share the link to this video! Thank you!

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks. I am a visual learner and always looking for ways to make something come to life. I find so many concepts of science / medicine in daily life (like the clotting cascade and bird nest building ... working on that example) Yes it is true that a body will adjust and side effects may subside

[@TMB247]

Exactly what I was looking for!

[@NurseMinder]

yeah!

[@flukyreview9128]

Is the effect immediately? When will you see the effect of metformin lowering blood sugar?

[@NurseMinder]

As an oral medication the effect is not immediate - as you might see with an injection of insulin, but you should see an effect starting with the onset of drug action (with oral meds it can be 15 to 60 min)

[@harpreetkhella2539]

Hello Doctor I just checked my a1c test 6.5 . Do u think I I can reverse my glucose levels by changing my life style of no carb . Do you think that can I wait six months for dr to precribe me metformin because I don't want to take unnecessary medication. Please advise me what is your opinion?

[@NurseMinder]

Hi Harpreet. This is a great question for your doctor. I cannot give medical advice

[@thomasdonohue1833]

Yes. You are prediabetic, if there is such a thing which means you don't have diabetes. You can switch to a low glycemic diet and exercise. The doctor is going to push metformin on you because that's what he's paid to do

[@once1226]

Is there a huge impact on electrolyte balance when taking metformin? the levels for both sodium and potassium are within the their normal ranges but calcium and magnesium are below their normal level.

[@NurseMinder]

No I don’t believe there is. There are many reasons electrolytes can be out of balance - good question for your healthcare team

[@once1226]

@@NurseMinder thank you maam

[@tseringnamdol584]

My mom use to take metformein and glimepride medicines but it controls sugar level and also second medicine which mention I saw it used in weight loose in goggle still I doubtful about these two medicines taking long time will you explain second medicine

[@NurseMinder]

Every patient is unique and the different medications will work on different things in the body. It is not uncommon to start on one medication and then add a new one.

[@Arthur54321]

Loved this explanation. I was looking for info on syringe drivers and just came across this - well worth the distraction.

[@NurseMinder]

Awesome! I get distracted by things all the time

[@AnonYmous-ux4pq]

I stopped taking metformin for 2 months because I was experiencing nerve pain. They randomly would go different parts of my body. I was diagnose prediabetic and it did help me lose 30ibs. But I was experiencing headaches everything that says hypoglycemia. I went back on today first day in a month or two. Any advice so that I stop experiencing low sugar? Should i take a lesser dose?

[@NurseMinder]

That is a great question for your healthcare team. Side effects need careful consideration to rule out other causes

[@thomasdonohue1833]

There's no such thing as prediabetic. You're either diabetic or you aren't. If your blood sugar is a little high change to a low glycemic diet and start exercising. Metformin causes a host of problems from vitamin B deficiency, blurry vision and hypoglycemia. I know because I've been on it for three years. I thought I was suffering from anxiety attacks. It was actually low blood sugar caused by metformin. If your doctor is pushing pills on you and you aren't diabetic, find a new doctor. Just my opinion but I speak from experience. Many of these doctors are pill pushers and they will have pills to counteract whatever the metformin is doing to your body.

[@thomasdonohue1833]

The neuropathy you're suffering is because the metformin is depleting your vitamin B. You have to take a vitamin B12 supplement when you're on metformin. My doctor didn't tell me that either. She just wanted to push metformin on me. She said I was prediabetic because my A1C was 5.7. For the last year I've been suffering from hypoglycemia and the last few months I've been getting the neuropathy. When I quit taking metformin I felt great. I got back on it for a couple of days and I could immediately tell the difference in my mood and how my body felt. Metformin in my opinion should not be given to prediabetics because there's no such thing. Change your diet, get off your couch and exercise. It's that simple

[@AnonYmous-ux4pq]

@@thomasdonohue1833 you were right because i did the same thing to experiment. I stop talking it because it was bringing my sugar low and depleting my vitamin b. I felt like i was going to die a few times (low blood sugar) i had to something sweet to feel alive. Anyways sugar has been good ever since. I 85% eat healthier and i go to the gym five times out of the week for an hour. If i can’t get five days i do three. So far I’m much better and i do enjoy sweets on rare occasion. The word moderation more likely.

[@theaaacrew7483]

For a visual learner like myself and your break down this is wonderful❤

[@NurseMinder]

I am a visual learner also 😊

[@theaaacrew7483]

Which explains why you teach so well. Much Love from Michigan ❤️

[@fatimazohraguesmia4009]

a very informative video ; thank you can you talk about how glimpride works and how much time it stays in the body ? and can metformin be taken together with glimpride?

[@NurseMinder]

Will add it to my list :)

[@jjualvare]

Thanks for the video, it was very informative. Must you take metformin with meals or can you take it without meals?

[@NurseMinder]

it is designed to take with meals as it will work as your body digests food and help reduce the side effects (anthing that goes in the stomach can cause stomach upset)

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

Thank you very much. Cleared up what is going on with Metformin in my body.

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks for taking the time to write

[@the.modern.cookie]

It is given as a weightloss drug now. Can you explain how it helps cause it's now popular.

[@NurseMinder]

In nondiabetic patients?

[@readandramblewithme]

this video is amazing, thankyou! love the little story, will definately help me remember its mode of action!

[@NurseMinder]

Its how I learn ❤️

[@cabinlifeatedensprings1710]

Great class ! But what if you just did diet alone. A very strict diet. One that is done by an app to track all your food I take. So you know you are getting the right amount of protein and less fat etc. have you seen patients do diet alone and achieve turning around the diagnosis of diabetes. Thank you so much for explaining the effects of medication so well. Leslye

[@NurseMinder]

Yes I have seen patients manage their diabetes with diet and not require medication. I want to share that manage is very different than cure. Once a diagnosis of diabetes, you always have it

[@FourHuskyHomestead]

Nurse minder. Thank you! My husband is trying to get his under control without medication. He has an app that he records everything and it’s helping, he linked it to our daughter s so they see his results daily. Ones a nurse and one a pharmacist they are helping him. I’m trying but I have psoriatic arthritis mutalins so I’m dealing with so much. Now we both are. I just hope he starts feeling better soon. I had noticed he was going pee slot more often but it just didn’t occur to me. Then fatigued started an mental confusion. It’s so scary ! I believe he is on the right track , I am too. Now on Cosentyx. But got celiac disease last night. Because I was never told to not eat gluten. I could right a book . Thank you ! Have a nice evening! Leslye

[@vinayakparab7037]

Wow mam tht was real eye opener...pls keep educating us like tht......Thnks frm my heart.....my wife has these high dose issues....

[@zurazurita]

Does Metformin help with hair loss due to insulin resistance and PCOS? My endocrinologist recommended me to go on it for my insulin resistance even though my glucose levels are normal now- since I've started to notice hair loss and thinning.

[@NurseMinder]

Good question. I am not sure

[@tahmidazim2189]

I accidently took metformin tablet,now i am feeling weak,what should i do?

[@NurseMinder]

Well - it’s been a few hours since you asked, what happened?

[@tahmidazim2189]

@@NurseMinder i have less strength after taking it

[@gurselakay]

Thanks for the explanations.. Just started metformin 500 mg (XR type) after reading TAME study..( I am not diabetic though) . I started to experience some constipation.. ( I thought I would experience the opposite 😅) I wonder if this problem will continue.. Does this means that I am dehydrated? Should I drink more water? (I am 61 yo)

[@NurseMinder]

Constipation is a sign of dehydration, and may be a coincidental occurrence

[@gurselakay]

@@NurseMinder thanks for the reply. You are right, i forget to drink water sometimes..

[@chrisfisher4915]

You might have mentioned a build up of lactic acid can occur because of metformin. But I imagine most people on metformin won't overwork there muscles enough to create lactic acid. If they do it's really difficult to process the lactic acid out of there system.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes - and it is not a typical reaction. Per mayo clinic “Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear. They usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.”

[@srirampadmanabhan3648]

Hi, i am an amateur trying to understand how metmorfin works, one question , it will be nice for me if you have time to clarify. Else too i understand that in your busy schedule it may not be possible to look into this immediately. Since metmorfin reduces glucose production in the liver, isnt that sufficient? why should it also go to the intestine and stop glucose (since hardly any glucose will be available owing to liver factory shut down of converting glycogen to glucose), and since hardly any glucose is going to be there in the blood stream, there would not be a need to force the glucose into the cells.

[@NurseMinder]

Great question. If the sugar is not blocked in the intestines then it is free to enter into our blood stream. This sugar will create a high blood glucose. The cells still will not accept it so the sugar travels around, causing damage. We need to address all three levels of the company* 😉

[@srirampadmanabhan3648]

@@NurseMinder Oh I see, quite an intelligent drug design..Thank you for your kind attention and clarification on all the levels of the corporate structure of the company 😁

[@thomasdonohue1833]

Metformin = hypoglycemia

[@ali.1793]

hello, i am 30 years old. My insulin resistance is gone. In my blood test, the glucose value was 113. My father and brother are diabetic. I've been using metformin 500mg for 2 weeks, the doctor suggested diet and exercise, but I said I wanted to use this drug because my doctor suggested this to me and now I'm wondering if I'm using metformin for 1 year, will it harm my kidneys?

[@NurseMinder]

Metformin, like most drugs, is excreted by the kidneys. What will harm your kidneys is uncontrolled blood glucose because it will damage the function of the kidney

[@maxangel9011]

Super super awesome vid.. Very informative and seriously help me understand how metformin works within the body.

[@NurseMinder]

Yeah! I like using real world examples

[@mikefoehr235]

Not a health care person but a diabetic on Metformin and Jardiance....why has the metformin stopped keeping my blood sugar at a safe level....between 4 and 7? Now, I am injecting insulin. I have sworn off anything with sugar....sugar=cyanide. I hope this will also help me lose weight and improve things going forward.

[@NurseMinder]

There are many factors that may contribute to this and it is a great question for your healthcare provider:)

[@mikefoehr235]

@@NurseMinder thanks so much🇨🇦👍

[@1965ace]

That is a great method for teaching (telling a story)!!!

[@NurseMinder]

It is my favorite way to:)

[@raygiordano1045]

Great job, I only knew about the liver. I was probably told the other stuff,but it's hard to recall everything. My doctors write an after visit summary, but they don't recap everything.

[@NurseMinder]

I agree it is hard to recall everything

[@downhilldaddy5282]

Simple and to the point 👌🏾

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks

[@laurahall3094]

I really appreciate this presentation and admire your great way of explaining.

[@NurseMinder]

Thanks! I need to “see” things to have then make sense for me

[@abdulrashid3339]

Beautiful explainantion.

[@NurseMinder]

Thank you

[@rubywhitsett]

I'm truly listening and learning .

[@NurseMinder]

Awesome 🎉

[@cloud9photography126]

i take 50mg metoprolol ER every day for pannic attacks, will that interact badly with metformin?

[@NurseMinder]

That is a great question for your pharmacist. They can help you know the best time of day and how to take them (I am without my drug guide as I respond to you)

[@thomasdonohue1833]

No. Because the metformin will give you panic attacks when your blood sugar drops so low you think you're going to die.

[@FARAWAY_LOOK]

Very well done presentation. You made it so simple a child could understand it. Thank you.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes!

[@ritatharp5238]

What a good teacher! Thank YOU 💗

[@NurseMinder]

thank you

[@costycosty5284]

Could you please share with us the research / bibliography / sources according to which metformin causes hypoglycemia????? :)). Many thanks

[@NurseMinder]

See page 12 pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00021412.PDF

[@upengan78]

Thank you so much. God bless 🙏. Was taking metformin 2mg divided to two dosages - two times a day along with glipizide ext release. Was helping but I found glipizide was the one keeping my levels down even with 2.5mg of its dosage . If I stop glipizide then metformin was not being useful by itself - wonder which part metformin is not efficient that glipizide covers for ?👍

[@NurseMinder]

Great question for your healthcare team

[@rachel.xo15]

Is ozempic similar to metformin ?

[@NurseMinder]

They are different drug classifications and work differently in the body. As I read the guide for ozempic, it is acting on the glucagon and insulin feedback loop Glucagon is made in the pancreas and when released increases our blood sugar levels, where insulin decreases our blood sugars www.novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf

[@cayrick]

I am hung up on terminology related to the Metformin's impact on the liver. I hear this term gluconeogenesis bantered around. Some say that between 24-36 hours after fasting begins, the liver in transitioning from glucose as a fuel to fat as a fuel has this intermediate stage where protein is consumed. I have heard the protein breakdown process called gluconeogenesis. I have also heard the breakdown of fat into glucose referred to as gluconeogenesis. These are two distinct processes and cannot have the same name. Which is what? In a book I read, it says Metformin prevents gluconeogenesis. This is the source of my confusion. If Metformin interferes with the conversion of protein into glucose then, according to my limited understanding, it would only be effective while fasting since breakdown of protein into glucose only occurs during fasting, which would imply Metformin is only effective on people who are fasting. It is my belief, and I think that this is what you are saying, that Metformin interferes with the glycogen breakdown process. My research tells me this process is called "glucogenesis". I have also read that the term "glycogenolysis" refers to the conversion of carbs or glycogen into glucose. In the case of the breakdown of fats to glucose I read that the term lipolysis refers to the breakdown of fats into glycerol and fatty acids and the liver then uses the glycerol to create the glucose. I would appreciate you help in fixing the confusion.

[@NurseMinder]

Gluconeogenesis is a pathway used by the body to create glucose from other molecules and an important pathway that allows the body to store needed energy for the brain in the form of glucose. It is essentially glycolysis, which is the process of converting glucose into energy, in reverse. (Ref: study.com)

[@TyphanyGarcia]

That was long ,, her answer really explains what you were trying to say,,, I’m glad you asked because it led to the answer I needed

[@chalfier6748]

In diabates cells are defficient in glucose. It is similiar to fasting state. So in diabetes, cells start gluconeogenesis-from protelysis, glycogenolysis or lipolysis. Metformin can block/reduce this. I also think that gluconeogenesis is happening constantly in your body. It is not like ON/OFF, but rather more/less...

[@philb5]

Very intelligent question thanks for asking

[@dilshadmohamed9098]

I am very constipated. Could that be of Metformin?

[@NurseMinder]

This would be a great question for your healthcare team. Lots of reasons one might be constipated.

[@alihamzeh4788]

what about under dosing? how can that cause side effects?

[@NurseMinder]

Under dosing will not address the issue, patients can still have side effects, but not the ones related to over effectiveness

[@djdulerep]

Amazing explanation , thank you to the moon and back !

[@NurseMinder]

You are welcome

[@lulascott9364]

One question does metformin cause you to have bad stomach cramps and diarrhea so bad that you nauseated and want is this a side effect of metformin this is how sick I get

[@NurseMinder]

It might, it is a good question for your healthcare team as your whole health is needed to support you best

[@leeannegovender3674]

Wow 👌 that was amazing .. I'm using metformin and didn't really understand how it works

[@NurseMinder]

Happy to help :)

[@KruyerDental]

Can going on Metformin Cause a dependency? Like a lazy liver

[@NurseMinder]

I have not heard of a lazy liver - are you wondering about the “factory”

[@KruyerDental]

@@NurseMinder sorry I guess I mean a lazy pancreas. My doctor just put me on Met Forman to help me lose weight but I am not diabetic. I'm scared that if I take it my body won't produce insulin naturally and will become dependent on it. Is there habituation that happens at all? PS I made up the word lazy pancreas all copy rights reserved lol

[@ericalovering924]

This is my exact concern/thought on taking metformin as a non-diabetic - did you happen to get answers for this?!

[@Jojo-Jakey27]

I was told I have PCOS and the doctor said she will see if I need this medication but as far as I know i am not a diabetic. My mam was a diabetic my brother is type 1 and my nan also it does run it the family, I was told I could take it to help with pcos? If anyone knows if I should take it to help my pcos as in suffering really bad from it.

[@NurseMinder]

Yes Metformin is often used for PCOS

[@Jojo-Jakey27]

@@NurseMinder So I can take it if I do not have diabetes

[@NurseMinder]

Yes you can. Drugs often help with more than one thing.

[@Jojo-Jakey27]

@@NurseMinder I have Metformin Blue Fish one would that be okay to take I am on other medications aswell any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@NurseMinder]

I don’t understand Blue Fish - questions about multiple med usage are best to ask your pharmacist so they can guide you - there are drug to drug combos to watch for, diet / time of day, and more things to make sure of

[@katiegermek6376]

Does it help high blood pressure

[@NurseMinder]

Not that I know of

[@MississippiWopGenius396]

so what if Im having low sugar problems(hypo)...my doctor also prescribed metformin but it makes me really tired so I quit taking it and my blood sugars numbers are still low.

[@NurseMinder]

Metformin can be used for other conditions so I would check back in with the doc

[@MississippiWopGenius396]

@@NurseMinder well its doing better so i guess the metformin is working

[@Sky.Sky.]

Should you take metformin before meals for a better effect?

[@NurseMinder]

They are usually taken with meals

[@txikitule]

If you take with food or 15 min after meals it may reduce the nausea symptoms.