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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Diarrhea While On Metformin?

I am a type 2 diabetic who recently had my dosage of Metformin doubled to 2 gm/day when my other meds caused my aic to rise to 8.5. I was warned about diarrhea which was not much of an issue for the last 4 months. At present I cannot distinguish between a stomach virus and problems from metformin. I have no real symptoms of a stomach bug except for the diarrhea, which has no pain an minimal urgency involved. Can you advise? Mark E Lessing, DPM
posted on Thu, 6 Jul 2017
Twitter Sat, 19 Aug 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 21 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
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Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern

1. Diarrhea is a documented ADR [adverse drug reaction] while on Metformin but because Metformin also causes malabsorption of Vitamin B12 and Indigestion thus both of these could be a contributory factor.

PS. you may ask your attending physician to ask for extended-release [ER] version of Metformin, it will probably eliminate diarrhea or consult an Endocrinologist [try taking it with meals or after food]

2. check regularly with kidney function [serum creatinine] since it can cause moderate kidney dysfunction as a side-effect and may cause lactic acidosis
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What Causes Diarrhea While On Metformin?

** Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern 1. Diarrhea is a documented ADR [adverse drug reaction] while on Metformin but because Metformin also causes malabsorption of Vitamin B12 and Indigestion thus both of these could be a contributory factor. PS. you may ask your attending physician to ask for extended-release [ER] version of Metformin, it will probably eliminate diarrhea or consult an Endocrinologist [try taking it with meals or after food] 2. check regularly with kidney function [serum creatinine] since it can cause moderate kidney dysfunction as a side-effect and may cause lactic acidosis