: was- metformin action

[Guest guest]

,

According to the Metformin Monograph (rxlist.com), it peaks in the blood

about 2 hours after taking it, but there's a wide " spec " on that.

Metformin seems to have a short-term effect, but also one from accumulation

in the body over a period of time. I'm using it before meals assuming the

short-term effect will help mitigate post-prandial spikes.

The advice you got to take it with a meal is probably because that minimizes

the major negative of the drug, the gastro-intestinal distress. If you've

gotten past that symptom, then taking it other times may be better, for other

reasons.

For instance, I'm taking mine (500mg 3x/day) upon rising in the am & about 2

hours before breakfast & supper, on the assumption that if that's when the

blood concentration peaks then that'll have the most effect on helping my

bg's. That's conjecture on my part from putting together bits of information on

the monograph. My control improved since doing that, but since I'm also

tinkering with similar dosing with small amounts of Glyburide, it's hard to

tell.

Suffice to say, since I started messing with these 2 meds, my bg's are an

average of about 20mg/dl lower.

Your creeping bg's may indeed indicate you should up your Metformin dose.

*****************************************

, T2, dx'ed 4/98 with Fasting bg 350mg/dl & HbA1c 15.5%

Controlling until last month with LC-D & very little E

Average Fasting bg 105mg/dl, Last HbA1c 6.0%

7+ Year Historical HbA1c 5.6%-6.0%

Now Experimenting with Metformin, Glyburide & " Merlot Therapy " for HbA1c

nearer 5.0%

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>> didn't retain it. So, here's the question......... when taking

metformin when does it start working after you take it (single dose)

and how long does the effect last for on average? I have gathered

that it does buildup in the body so, I assume you always have some

effect of the drug after you've been on it awhile. But, do you get a

peak action sometime after taking each pill?

I am currently taking it in the evening (low dose of 500) after

dinner. I was originally told by the endo to " take it at night " . To

me this meant it was OK to take it with my night meds before I head

to bed. But, the new Internist says take it with dinner which sounds

more logical considering things I have heard here.

I am just wondering where it would be best to take it (for me) based

on what the drug's typical absorption and action is. I would look it

up but, it seems that I get a better true impression based on the

experiences of the list.

I have noticed a creeping rise in my FBG (now at 119 which is up 10

pts) and so, I am going to ask for an increase in the metformin from

the internist if he'll do it. I think the internist is more detailed

oriented and that he will be more likely to up the dose. If not,

I'll call the endo. I just hate to call her tho, the place is like

an airport it's so busy. They have even switched to terminals in the

waiting room where you check yourself in via touch screen. The place

needs an air traffic controller. LOL.

Thanks for your input!

Dx T2 11/05, Metformin 500mg

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