topic Re: Is Metformin next? in Community Chat

Is Metformin next?

cozyseeker — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:12:46 GMT

This may prove to be a huge problem for a lot of people.

The agency is in the beginning stages of testing metformin,” reads an emailed statement from FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn, per the Bloomberg report. “However, the agency has not confirmed if NDMA in metformin is above the acceptable daily intake (ADI) limit of 96 nanograms in the U.S.”

The statement emphasizes that no one should stop taking metformin without first talking to their doctor. If any contamination is eventually detected, it will most likely be possible to safely switch to another brand of metformin if your brand is recalled.

When this happened with Zantac they have still not started manufacturing it again.

Re: Is Metformin next?

Nonametoday — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:22:41 GMT

I know people who are in renal faiure for taking metformin, or so they are told by their physicians. I took my husband off it and his creatinine and BUN did begin to normalize. I rather give him insulin than a drug that will, perhaps, destroy his kidneys.

Re: Is Metformin next?

chrystaltree — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:49:28 GMT

It has echos of Zantac, time will tell. There are people with Type 2 and Metformin is beneficial to them. I know I read somewhere that there are no other drugs for Type 2 that work like Metformin. Yes, there are some kidney issues for some people but there are kidney issues with Type 2 too. And circulatory problems, heart problem, vision problems. Type 2 is bad disease that effects the entire body so if I had it and was unable to control my blood sugar by any other means, I take Metformin. It would be a last resort medication.

Re: Is Metformin next?

Love my grandkids — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:52:34 GMT

@Nonametoday @cozyseeker @chrystaltree I'm 71 and have been on metformin for 20 years for type 2 diabetes with no problems.

About a year ago my doc actually reduced my dosage!

I have been cancer free for 2.5 years and have regular blood work done.

My kidney and liver functions are doing great and not impaced by this med.

Re: Is Metformin next?

chrystaltree — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:13:20 GMT

@Love my grandkids

That's how these things work. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to medications or anything else in medicine. There are patients like you who have taken it for years and it does it's job, it controls their blood sugar. They have had no complications. That's most of the people who take Metformin. However, there is a small percentage who have had serious complications from it, liver and kidney impairment. It's a risk, but the risk is very low so if I had type 2, I would definitely take Metformin if I had to.

Re: Is Metformin next?

Love my grandkids — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:15:17 GMT

@chrystaltree Got it (smile) !

Re: Is Metformin next?

SandySparkles — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 07:21:54 GMT

@Love my grandkids Congratulations on being cancer free for 2.5 years, and positive lab values! Such a blessing.

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Is Metformin next?

cherry — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 12:23:01 GMT

They never stopped manufacturing zantac/ranitidine. I take it everyday. I talked to my Dr and pharmacist..they destroyed the questionable lot number

My Dr told me that food we eat have more nitrates than Zantac and gave his partients a handbill about this drug...I have taken metformin for years ,and it has been on the market for decades. If it caused cancer millions of people would have gotten it by now

These types of statements only scare people who rely on this type of medicine for their health and well being

If in doubt talk to your Dr ,and you pharmacist, they will tell you the true facts. Don't stop taking a med ,because you hear something about it from someone. Go to those in the know and ask

Re: Is Metformin next?

noodleann — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:07:44 GMT

I believe metformin is considered standard of care and first-line treatment both in T2 diabetes and prophylactically, in pre-diabetes. It's a shame that everyone who needs treatment can't take this drug, because it does work well. If someone has a bad reaction to it, another drug is tried, I believe. There are plenty. Getting sugars under control if you have diabetes is critical to long-term health.

I posted to point out that metformin is first-line, not last-resort treatment.

Re: Is Metformin next?

cherry — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:09:56 GMT

It is @noodleann and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..

Re: Is Metformin next?

noodleann — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:12:17 GMT

@cherry wrote:
It is @noodleann and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..

I'm really sorry for you, @cherry . Really. I wish I could share some of my terrific drug tolerance. I know that when you can't tolerate metformin, you really can't. I hope you can use some of the other meds.

Re: Is Metformin next?

cherry — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:15:19 GMT

@noodleann thank you. I am on Januvia ,and I seem to tolerate it much better. Of course it is a lot more expensive, and I don't think it controls my glucose as good as metformin ,but I am still in safe levels

Re: Is Metformin next?

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:38:53 GMT

@cherry wrote:
It is @noodleann and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..

@cherrymy DH was the same way. It was the first thing they gave him when he was diagnosed at Type 2. He had to go off it because he had so many stomach issues. They kept telling him his stomach would adjust but it never did. He too was put on Januvia.

Re: Is Metformin next?

tansy — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:40:38 GMT

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
@cherry wrote:
It is @noodleann and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..
@cherrymy DH was the same way. It was the first thing they gave him when he was diagnosed at Type 2. He had to go off it because he had so many stomach issues. They kept telling him his stomach would adjust but it never did. He too was put on Januvia.

Same for me and I tried it for a long time.

Re: Is Metformin next?

Mindy D — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:37:43 GMT

Ok

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@Nonametoday @cozyseeker @chrystaltree I'm 71 and have been on metformin for 20 years for type 2 diabetes with no problems.

About a year ago my doc actually reduced my dosage!

I have been cancer free for 2.5 years and have regular blood work done.

My kidney and liver functions are doing great and not impaced by this med.

@Love my grandkids Metformin, by itself, is not the problem that the FDA is investigating. They are checking different brands of Metformin for contamination with a cancer causing chemical. If you have had cancer, then there’s the possibility it could be related to the carcinogenic chemical NDMA, that is under scrutinization. If NDMA is found in different brands of Metformin, the levels of the chemical will come under scrutiny. The FDA has a cut off for acceptable levels.

This stuff is everywhere. It’s not a good thing. It is possible to remove it in some cases during the manufacturing processes of some items. Hopefully, if it’s found in Metformin, any new production runs will no longer contain it.

The chemical is found worldwide in water, including drinking water and soils, outdoor air, tobacco smoke, chewing tobacco, cured meats, beer, fish, cheese, cosmetics and toiletries, detergents, pesticides. It can also form in the stomach during digestion of compounds called alkyamines which can be found in some drugs, foods, rubber baby bottle noodles, breast milk in low levels and infant formula. Occupational exposure can occur in tanneries and in pesticide and dye manufacturing, Groundwater testing has also revealed its presence. It also forms as a byproduct during the chlorination of drinking water.

Re: Is Metformin next?

tarytoo — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:32:11 GMT

my doctor gave me enough metaformin to kill me. even the pharmicist was concerned. after i complained she took me off the stuff about five years ago. i've been taking Januvia ever since and my numbers have normalized. i hope they take metaformin off the market for good. besides me... my dad and daughter were on it too, with bad side effects.

Re: Is Metformin next?

BirkiLady — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:43:02 GMT

Those who have had problems with Metformin need to talk with your PCP about Metformin ER. The Extended Release (ER) is much kinder to the system and, I found, doesn't have any side effects. Metformin ER has kept my A1C below 6 for several years. I no longer have to check my blood daily! It's a miracle med for me.

Re: Is Metformin next?

tansy — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:47:29 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
Those who have had problems with Metformin need to talk with your PCP about Metformin ER. The Extended Release (ER) is much kinder to the system and, I found, doesn't have any side effects. Metformin ER has kept my A1C below 6 for several years. I no longer have to check my blood daily! It's a miracle med for me.

Did that already.

Re: Is Metformin next?

cherry — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 21:53:17 GMT

@tansy me too. It didn't help me at all, but it might work for other people

Re: Is Metformin next?

RainCityWoman — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 01:23:43 GMT

There are risks with any drug, particularly diabetes drugs.There are also risks in diabetes itself. In fact, kidney failure is one of those risks of diabetes as is heart failure. My mom had kidney failure, a quad bypass, and amputation...all caused by diabetes and her refusal to take her meds properly. I have taken metformin for years. I usually have a kidney function test in my blood tests. The newer diabetic drugs are extremely expensive and also have side effects. Metformin is the old reliable and it is extremely cheap. Even if you do take some of the newer injection drugs, metformin is usually prescribed along with them. Another thing people may not know is one must ALWAYS take metformin with food. It pays to read the information you're given with a medication. You are more likely to have organ damage if you continue to take metformin without food. I would definitely choose metformin over injecting insulin...no contest.