Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Does Metformin Take To Leave The System?
Posted on
Thu, 5 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 5 May 2016
Answered on
Sat, 18 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have been taking 500mg metformin daily for a year. I know it builds up in the system so how long does it take to completelt leave the system if I quit taking
Brief Answer:
A week
Detailed Answer:
Within a week, metformin is practically eliminated from the body.
It is not true that metformin builds in the system. It is not as if it is stored in the body for long periods of time after one stops taking it.
So if you are thinking that having taken it for a year, it would require more time to exit compared to someone else who has taken it for shorter length of time, then that is not the case.
Indeed there are certain medications which do get stored but metformin is not one of them
A week
Detailed Answer:
Within a week, metformin is practically eliminated from the body.
It is not true that metformin builds in the system. It is not as if it is stored in the body for long periods of time after one stops taking it.
So if you are thinking that having taken it for a year, it would require more time to exit compared to someone else who has taken it for shorter length of time, then that is not the case.
Indeed there are certain medications which do get stored but metformin is not one of them
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Does the body go through any kind of withdrawal from stopping the metformin ie gastrointestinal issues, etc
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
No, this has not been known to occur
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
No, this has not been known to occur
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
