Anyone on Metformin and having stomach upets.

[mowbraygirl]

I have Type 2 diabetes diagnosed 4 years ago. Was on Metformin SR 500mg once a day diabetes getting out of control so upped to twice a day. Still no better so am now on 800mg twice a day. Control is better and I do try and eat healthily but they do seem to upset my stomach a good day I go to toilet twice a day the worse has been 9 times, and as result 'rear end' can get rather sore as what comes out is rather loose IYKWIM. Is there anyone else affected like this? According to my daughter who is a Pharmacist there is a new drug out which might sort out the problem. Before I go back and see the Practice nurse wondered if any of you wise Mnsnetters have had same problem.

How long ago did you have your dose increased? I have 500mg three times a day. I started with one, then increased to two a few weeks later then three a few weeks after that. Every increase in dosage lead to more tummy upsets, but it did go away completely eventually (probably about six weeks after I went onto full dosage). Now I only have problems if I don't take the tablets on a full stomach.

Do you think it would make it easier on your digestive system to have three 500mg tablets a day, one with each main meal? That would be approximately the same dosage as two 800mg tabs but the effect would be more evenly spread through the day.

I think I have been on the new tablets for approx 6 weeks - I have just checked I made a mistake the new tablets are 850mg. I will give it a few more weeks to see if things sort themselves out. I want to get things sorted out before Easter as we are going to Egypt with my daughter and family and don't want to spend my time rushing to the loo. I think what you are saying "bran" that spreading the tablets out evenly through out the day makes sense.