Can Seroquel And Metformin Be Taken Together?

Posted on Tue, 16 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 Answered on

Fri, 3 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I take 100mg of seroquel / night for sleep and GAD from divorce stress. I am supposed to start Metformin for insulin resistance. Can these 2drugs interract/interfere w eachother at all? Can it harm me psychologically or physiologically to take both together?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Metformin can decrease the side effects of Seroquel

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Seroquel is an atypical anti psychotic medicine and can raise the blood sugar. Metformin lowers blood sugar by decreasing the insulin resistance, thereby decreasing the side effect of Seroquel.
There's no interaction in psychological aspect.
How are your fasting and 2 hours post lunch blood sugar?
Do get back to me with further queries if any.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (17 minutes later)

My blood sugar is normal A1C is 4.2. My insulin serum is 24 when lab XXXXXXX is 14. I was dx as insulin resistant prior to the seroquel which I just started

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can use Metformin

Detailed Answer:
There is nothing to worry.
You can start with 500 mg of Metformin once a day after food and work your way up to the required dose.
Why were you checked for Insulin resistance?
You can check your blood sugars to see if Seroquel has made any difference to the values.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (32 minutes later)

I was checked for IR bc of unexplained weight gain and irregular periods. What are common side effects of Metformin?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Mainly gastrointestinal

Detailed Answer:
Yes, your symptoms are suggestive of PCOS, a condition associated with Insulin resistance.
The commonest side effect of Metformin is gastrointestinal discomfort with nausea, dyspepsia and increased bowel movements. If you search the Internet you would find side effects like lactic acidosis which hardly ever occurs in people who are otherwise normal.
It is a medicine that has been used by millions of people people and has been in use for a very long time with one of the best safety records.
Though in vast majority of people, it doesn't produce significant hypoglycemia, I have seen hypoglycemia occuring and it would be better to check your blood sugars.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (40 minutes later)

Since my blood sugar has been normal everytime Ive had it checked, am I at greater risk for hypoglycemia?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Individual variation common

Detailed Answer:
The risk varies from person to person.
Since your blood sugar has been normal always, it would be better to start with a small dose and check the blood sugar to make sure it remains normal before going for a higher dose.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (10 hours later)

This test was taken after a meal

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Insulin levels would be higher after food.

Detailed Answer:
The insulin level would go up after food .
Fasting C peptide or Insulin is better indicator.
After you have been on Glucophage for a month, I expect the values to be less.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

No i have not started it Yet I was scared to

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can start without any worry

Detailed Answer:
There's nothing to be scared about. You can start with 500 mg after food once a day.
You can check your blood sugars fasting and 2 hours post lunch.
Do let me know if you have any discomfort or difficulty.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (11 minutes later)

Why does met cause gastro issues?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
due to gastric irritation

Detailed Answer:
It's a common side effect and is due to the Irritation on the stomach. If it is taken after food, the symptoms are often less severe.
Now there's a new preparation Glucophage XR which is more gut friendly than the original form.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Whats a normal insulin level after a meal compared to mine

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Less than 41 uU/ml

Detailed Answer:
The blood insulin level should be less than 41 uU/ml if there is no Insulin Resistance.
There is no doubt you have Insulin Resistance and Glucophage XR would be the simplest and effective treatment for you.
It would be good if you could exercise and reduce your weight as well.
Best wishes,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar