My A1C is around 6.3 currently and my blood pressure on average is around 110/61 etc. during the day and sometimes in the 135/80 range first thing in the morning. Over the past few years I have been able to cut the doseage on the lisinopril from 2X daily to only once and cut the dose on the glipizide and metformin.
I thought I would list the potential side effects of the Metformin here. Obviously everyone does not get all of these and it is likely that no one on Metformin escapes all of these. In trying to make an informed decision on substituting a product grown in nature for a prescription drug made in a laboratory, the more information at your fingertips the better decision you will make.
METFORMIN SIDE EFFECTS:
For the Consumer
Applies to metformin: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by metformin. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking metformin:
More common- Abdominal or stomach discomfort
- cough or hoarseness
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- fast or shallow breathing
- fever or chills
- general feeling of discomfort
- lower back or side pain
- muscle pain or cramping
- painful or difficult urination
- sleepiness
- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- chest discomfort
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- depression
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of warmth
- headache
- increased hunger
- increased sweating
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- seizures
- shakiness
- shortness of breath
- slurred speech
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- wheezing
- Behavior change similar to being drunk
- difficulty with concentrating
- drowsiness
- lack or loss of strength
- restless sleep
- unusual sleepiness
Some of the side effects that can occur with metformin may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
More common- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bloated
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- heartburn
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- metallic taste in the mouth
- passing of gas
- stomachache
- stomach upset or pain
- vomiting
- weight loss
- Abnormal stools
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- difficulty with moving
- discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
- flu-like symptoms
- joint pain
- rash
- runny nose
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- swollen joints
BERBERINE SIDE EFFECTS:
link:
EXCERPT:
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Children: It’s UNSAFE to give berberine to newborns. It can cause kernicterus, a rare type of brain damage that can occur in newborns who have severe jaundice. Jaundice is yellowing of the skin caused by too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when the old red cells break down. It is normally removed by the liver. Berberine may keep the liver from removing bilirubin fast enough.Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to take berberine by mouth if you are pregnant. Researchers believe berberine can cross the placenta and might cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus, a type of brain damage, has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine.
It’s also UNSAFE to take berberine if you are breast-feeding. Berberine can be transferred to the infant through breast milk, and it might cause harm.
Diabetes: Berberine can lower blood sugar. Theoretically, berberine may cause blood sugar to become too low if taken by diabetics who are controlling their blood sugar with insulin or medications. Use with caution in people with diabetes.
High bilirubin levels in the blood in infants: Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when the old red blood cells break down. It is normally removed by the liver. Berberine may keep the liver from removing bilirubin fast enough. This can cause brain problems, especially in infants with high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Avoid using.
Low blood pressure: Berberine might lower blood pressure. Use with caution in people with low blood pressure.
CRITICAL IMPORTANT INTERACTIONS TO BE AWARE OF:
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with BERBERINEThe body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) to get rid of it. Berberine might decrease how fast the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). This might cause there to be too much cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) in the body and potentially cause side effects.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with BERBERINESome medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Berberine might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking berberine along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking berberine, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications changed by the liver include cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
ONE MORE INFORMATIVE ARTICLE ON BERBERINE (VS.) METFORMIN
LINK:
SEE MY VERY NEXT POST FOR INFORMATION FROM THIS ARTICLE.
Thanks for reading, and I apologize for the length of this post. It is difficult to examine both sides of an issue in a couple of paragraphs.
God Bless,
Dan
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