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People who take metformin to manage diabetes often take the drug once or twice a day, or, at higher doses, up to three times a day.
However, in some cases, you may take extended-release metformin tablets (also called extended-release, ER, or XR) that are taken less frequently.
Usually this is easy. However, it is important to know how long metformin stays in your body for various reasons. This article investigates how long a drug is active in your body after you take it or stop taking it.
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Why is it important to know how long metformin stays in the body?
It may be difficult to take medicine every day. In fact, life can sometimes prevent you from taking your medications as prescribed and on time.
Metformin is usually best taken once or twice a day. (Be sure to check with your doctor about the best schedule for your situation.)
But not knowing how long metformin stays in your body can make it difficult to know when and how to take the drug if you're trying to increase or decrease your dose (in consultation with your medical team) or wean yourself off metformin completely. It can be difficult to know. .
Plus, find out how long metformin lasts in your body if you forget to take your medication, are wondering when it's safe to take your next full dose, or aren't sure if it's the right dose for you. is also helpful. If you have taken it before, it may interact with other medicines, food, or alcohol you plan to take.
Does it take time for metformin to accumulate in the body?
Yes, if you are just starting to take metformin, you are likely not to notice improvements in blood sugar levels or weight loss right away, no matter what dose you are taking.
The first effects on blood sugar levels may be noticed within 48 hours of starting the drug, but the most significant effects may not be seen until 4 to 5 days after you continue taking the drug.
However, weight loss expectations may take weeks or months to materialize and may require changes in diet and exercise. It is also important to note that weight loss with metformin is generally in the range of only 5 pounds.
See below for more information. Signs that metformin is working (or not)
Metformin can potentially dangerously accumulate in the body if the kidneys are not working properly to process the drug. This can lead to a condition called lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the bloodstream), which can be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis:
- feel disoriented
- breathing quickly
- fast heart rate
- abdominal pain
- headache
- Lethargy and fatigue
- muscle spasms and muscle pain
- physical weakness
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- yellow skin and eyes
Some of these symptoms may be confused with regular metformin side effects, but be careful if new symptoms start appearing after you've been taking metformin for a while.
(That said, metformin is generally a very safe drug, and most people experience minimal side effects.)
See below for more information. Is metformin safe?
How long do metformin side effects last?
Metformin side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite, usually disappear after a few weeks of use.
For people experiencing serious side effects, there are good alternatives to metformin, including some metformin combination medications that may have fewer side effects.
See below for more information. Metformin combination drug for type 2 diabetes.
Metformin half-life
The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for 50 percent of the drug's active ingredient to be metabolized or eliminated from the body.
Metformin has an elimination half-life from red blood cells Approximately 17.6 hours. (However, it is important to note that this number can vary for different formulations of the drug, such as sustained release versus immediate release.)
Although the average elimination half-life of metformin in the plasma (the liquid part of the blood) is only 6.2 hours, most of the active ingredient in metformin accumulates in red blood cells (RBCs), so we will focus here.
This means that every 17.6 hours, the strength of the drug decreases by 50%. However, there are some caveats.
Does metformin stay in some people's bodies longer than others?
yes. Metformin's half-life varies from person to person and is not an exact science. Metformin tends to remain in the body of certain populations for long periods of time.
People with renal (kidney) disorder
For people with kidney disease or failure, metformin stays in the body longer.
For people taking metformin with mild kidney failure, metformin's oral clearance (the rate at which the body processes and absorbs metformin from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream) and renal clearance (the rate at which the kidneys remove metformin from the body) )teeth 33% and 16% decreaseEach.
For people with moderate renal insufficiency, the oral and renal clearance of metformin is: decreased by 50 percent and 53 percentEach.
Year
Metformin tends to stay in the body longer in older people than in younger people. There are several causes for this, but the main one is the decline in kidney function that occurs as diabetics age.
Therefore, it is recommended that metformin not be started in people over 80 years of age unless creatinine clearance (a measure of how well the kidneys filter creatinine from the bloodstream) shows that kidney function is not declining. Masu.
metabolic rate
Metformin stays in the body longer in people with slower metabolic rates. This is because your body processes everything (including food, alcohol, and drugs) more slowly.
Compared to people without diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes who take metformin have the drug stay in their system longer, even after they stop taking the drug.
For more information, see: Stopping Metformin: When and how you can stop taking Metformin.
body weight
The more you weigh, the longer metformin stays in your body. This applies to all drugs.
If you are heavier, you will take more metformin and this will affect the amount of time metformin spends in your body.
dose
If you are taking a lower dose of metformin, the metformin stays in your system for less time than someone who is taking the maximum daily dose of metformin. 2,550 milligrams (mg) per day.
If you are taking the maximum dose, you can expect the drug to stay in your system longer than, say, someone who only takes 500 mg per day.
How long did you take the drug?
If you've been on metformin for 10 years and then stop taking it, the drug may remain in your system longer than someone who takes the drug for a week and then stops taking it.
It takes time for drugs to build up in your body, but it also takes time for them to break down, even if you're not actively taking them.
How long does it take for metformin to be eliminated from the body?
It takes approx. Elimination half-life is 5.5 times For metformin to be completely removed from the body, it is necessary to:
5.5 times 17.6 hours = 96.8 hours
That being said, it is perfectly fine (and expected) to take metformin more often than every 4 days. However, this is the amount of time it takes for it to be completely eliminated from the body if the kidneys are functioning properly.
Although various systems in the body may eliminate metformin faster than others, only a small amount of metformin remains in the body within 4 days.
FAQ
Can I mix metformin with other medicines?
Metformin can interact adversely with other prescription drugs, so if you have recently been prescribed metformin, be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. If you are taking metformin, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any new medicines.
Metformin interacts with:
- insulin
- Sulfonylurea Chlorpropamide (trade name Diabinese)
- Glimepiride (Amaryl)
- Glipizide (Glucotrol)
- Glyburide (diabeta, glinase, micronase)
- Tolazamide (Torinase)
- Meglitinide (repaglinide) [Prandin] and nateglinide [Starlix])
It may also interact with diuretics, steroids, and corticosteroids.
In some cases, it may interact with substances that increase the risk of lactic acidosis (which, as mentioned above, can be fatal).
Your doctor may ask you to completely wean off metformin before taking another drug.
I forgot to bring my metformin with me while on vacation. How long will it last?
Metformin remains active in your body for 4 days, but if you miss a dose, you may notice an increase in your blood sugar levels within 1 to 2 days.
Take the next recommended dose as soon as possible. However, do not “stack” doses to make up for missed days.
Is it okay to drink alcohol while taking metformin?
Alcohol can have negative interactions with metformin, including an increased risk of hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia). It is important to follow all guidelines and instructions regarding any prescription medications you take.
However, many people drink alcohol while taking metformin if their doctor allows them to do so. Moderation is key.
General guidelines are:: For women, a moderate amount of alcohol is no more than 1 drink per day, and for men, a moderate amount of alcohol is no more than 2 drinks per day.
According to the National Institutes of Healtha drink is considered 12 ounces (ounces) of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits.
final thoughts
After 4 days, most people clear metformin from their system.
If you are experiencing severe side effects from metformin, your symptoms should decrease after you stop taking the drug for the first 96.8 hours.
There are no foods you should absolutely avoid while taking metformin, but if your nausea makes you want to avoid certain foods, your symptoms should go away for 4 days without taking metformin.
It's important to know that if you drink alcohol while taking metformin, you may be at increased risk of developing hypoglycemia, especially if you also use insulin.
If you are considering stopping metformin completely, be sure to consult your doctor before adjusting your dose to minimize the risk of negative side effects such as hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia).
We recommend the following articles: Everything you need to know about metformin.
