Metformin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 7, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Metformin has side effects like diarrhea. When I have sugar (regular sugar, fructose, and artificial sugar - it does not care), I get diarrhea. Also, headaches occur if sugar spikes quickly - again, food choices do this. If I really want a bite of pizza or a candy bar, I eat healthy (lots of vegetables and salad, protein) with no processed foods, no bread, pasta, potatoes, or rice. At the end of the meal, I have 1-2 bites, savor it, and stop. I give myself a treat once a month. I keep my sugars down to 80-130 by diet and one Metformin 500mg a day. If I eat too much at a meal, I walk or exercise to burn the carbs. Burning too much results in feeling shaky or getting a headache. Water is key too. Water helps pull sugar down (dilutes and flushes it out of the fat cells)."

• Ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2019

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "Been on metformin for a month. Only the first two days had a bad headache. When I started taking it, I was 102kg heavy. Now I'm 94kg. But when I was diagnosed with insulin resistance, I quit alcohol, sugar, and lactose. Started working out more. My endocrinologist told me to also take vitamin D and vitamin B12, so I guess that also helped. I have literally no side effects. I haven't felt happier and healthier in my life."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2012

Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking this medicine for a month today. I have seen a significant and favorable drop in my blood sugar. However, I've never felt sicker in my entire life. Every day since starting this, I've been nauseous, even to the point of vomiting. I find that I now have motion sickness and since I take public transport, I sometimes have to get off the bus to vomit. I always have diarrhea. I sometimes have fever symptoms, chills along with a feeling of being very cold, and terrible headaches. I've also become quite anxious, restless, and moody, which may be a side effect of these side effects. I've lost 12 lbs and I find myself eating less, which is awesome but I'm ALWAYS nauseous, which is why I have no appetite."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2012

Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes "I had diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and muscle pain. It did not control my blood sugar either. I never want to feel like that again. But, on the other hand, my husband is able to take it with no side effects, and it keeps his blood sugar between 90 and 130."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2017

Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Glumetza ER (500 mg) for three weeks now, and so far, so good. My levels came down to 85-115 within the first five days from 230. I take it with breakfast, but I'm thinking about changing it to dinner time because my numbers always go up while I'm sleeping. I sometimes get a slight headache about five hours after I take it, and right about the same time, have loose stools. It doesn't bother me as long as it keeps my numbers down. I've lost a total of 11 pounds since finding out I'm type 2 and using Glumetza ER. I'm 32, 180 lbs, 5'3", and a mother to two beautiful girls."

• No...
• April 1, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I experienced severe increases in my blood pressure. Had anxiety and panic attacks. Had a small ischemic stroke. Had weakness, numbness, and tingling in muscles, muscle cramps, bad taste in mouth. Headaches and confusion."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took metformin 1000 mg in a combo for several years with no problems. 45 days ago a new doctor started me on a new medication plan. I started Rybelsus with Farxiga and 1000 mg metformin. I had an immediate reaction of headaches, nausea, and extreme hunger, and my blood sugar skyrocketed. The doctor had me stop the metformin, and the side effects stopped, but my blood sugar remained very high. After a few weeks, she had me add metformin back in at 500 mg twice a day. My side effects returned and now include constipation, but I'm trying to tough it out. I have been nauseous randomly for several days. I can't enjoy a meal or activities. The doctor keeps telling me I'll get used to it, but I'm not seeing it yet. My blood sugar has gone down but not to normal ranges. I sure hope things settle down soon. So far, the benefits are not outweighing the side effects."

• SAS...
• August 27, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was found to have type 2 diabetes early in pregnancy. I was previously on a low carb diet that had worked well for me but was advised by my diabetes clinic to increase carbs and whole grains because it would benefit the baby. As soon as I began eating bread, rice, and pasta, I began to swell up and started having headaches. I was given a glucose test which was very high, and my doctor was preparing to put me on insulin. I was convinced that it was the high intake of sugar (carbs) that had got me into this situation, so I asked for a week to try and sort it out myself. I cut down on carbs and I improved within 2 days. I now take Metformin 500 mg twice daily but cannot eat bread, sugar, white rice, or white flour."

• One...
• July 30, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "My blood sugar was extremely high (403), and metformin 500 mg was prescribed for a 30-day period to aid in getting the blood sugar levels lowered. Within a 24-hour period and after taking 1000 mg, my blood sugar readings were down by 89 points to 314. I've just started on this road, but so far it has been helpful. The side effects for me have been minimal: severe diarrhea, light headaches."

• jla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on metformin 500 mg once a day for 3 months. At first, it was great, I even lost a little weight. My A1C went up recently, and I gained the weight back. I believe that was due to extreme stress. My doctor increased my dosage to twice a day now. I have not had many side effects, just headaches, no stomach issues. I hope it helps me, as I am afraid to go too high on the dosage because of the recall issues. I am hoping the benefits outweigh the risks."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on 500 mg of extended-release metformin for 2 months. I’m not feeling any change within myself for energy or seeing any weight loss yet. However, my blood pressure is lower after previously seeing diastolic readings of around 85, and now around 70. The side effects lasted about 1 week - diarrhea, stomach cramps, and headache. I’m scheduled to see if my blood sugar has reduced in about a month, so crossing my fingers for that."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2012

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Have been taking half dose for 2 weeks and have increasingly felt horrible. Had nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, headaches, anxiety, depression. If you've never tried it, you should try it for yourself, but my body is extremely sensitive, and it did not work for me."

• Mer...
• April 28, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on Basaglar, Victoza, Farxiga, glimepiride. With all that, my A1C was 13.8. Dr. put me on metformin 500 mg twice a day. I started and was nauseous, I told my dr, and he said, 'that's how you lose weight,' and upped it to 1000 mg twice a day. It has lowered my A1C to a 9.4, still high, but it is slowly coming down. Started having gastrointestinal issues along with headache, nausea, vomiting, and eye problems. I am on another medication for another problem, and the side effects are the same as metformin. So I'm not sure at the moment which, if not both, are causing my problems."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome when I was 16 years old. My doctor put me on birth control at first for about 3 years. I just had my physical on December 3rd, she prescribed Metformin 500 mg because I told her I want to have a baby. I started Metformin since December 3, 2014, so it has been a month taking this medicine. I have noticed some weight loss, and I also have been feeling some headaches and not wanting to eat much. This week, I have started feeling some cramps because I do believe it's almost time for my period to come. Hopefully, it is regulating already. I can pretty much say this medication has helped me, and hopefully, I can have my bundle of joy soon."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

For Female Infertility "I have PCOS and had a successful pregnancy with Clomid 2 years ago at 150 mg after taking Clomid for 5 months. I started Clomid again, 150 mg for 9 months with no success this time. I did ovulate every month, though. My ob-gyn referred me to a fertility specialist, and after doing more lab work, decided to put me on a dose of metformin, 850 mg, 2 tabs per day of metformin. I took 1 tab for 1 week and then 2 tabs on the second week. The first week I had diarrhea, nausea, headache, but it was tolerable. I also got my period 6 days after starting metformin after not having one for almost 6 months, so that’s a plus. On the second week of metformin dosage of 1700 mg, my side effects got worse. I still have diarrhea, lightheadedness, stomach pain, and also vomiting. I take it at dinner time once I get home since I work in the daytime. Hope this works with all these side effects, lol. When I was on Clomid, I did not have any side effects. I’ll update you ladies and see if I ovulate."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Back in March, I went to see my nurse. I wasn’t informed that they switched my medication from Janumet to Metformin. I took it for 30 days. I had begun to experience nausea, heartburn, vomiting, bloating, dizziness, lightheadedness, and headache. I quit taking it and I went back to Janumet. Metallic aftertaste in my mouth. I will never take this medication again because of the negative side effects it causes."

• Dar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2020

For Female Infertility "Partner and I were trying for a baby for (at the time) 3 years and no luck, got diagnosed with PCOS. Doctor prescribed me Metformin and Clomid. Took it for about a year/year and a half. My periods were more regular, but then for a good month, I had bad stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. Luckily, the side effects went away in the second month, but it (Metformin and Clomid) never did any good in getting pregnant. Going on 5 years with zero luck."

• Fru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2013

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have had diagnosed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome since 1991. Years of problems. I tried Metformin the first time around 1995, and it did nothing. I had weight loss surgery in 2010 and got to just below 200 lbs. Hormones actually got worse with weight loss, and a year later to the day, I had a full hysterectomy. Six months later, my only ovary started kicking into overdrive. Crazy hormones, cravings, and of course ruptured cysts... all the time. Doc decided to try Metformin and said it could be different this time. After a week, I noticed great results. Two weeks in, I got so nauseated that I thought I had the flu. Then the headaches. They tried to diagnose me with migraines at the age of 42. It was the Metformin."

• she...
• April 26, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am 21 years old and have always been morbidly overweight. I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 months ago when I was 3 weeks late with a negative pregnancy test. I have the normal signs of acne, overweight, hair on my face, and I now take 1500 mg of metformin every day. I do not have a gall bladder, so the diarrhea does not bother me, but the nausea is dreadful. I will be so hungry to the point of starving, and when I try to eat, I'm so sick to my stomach I can't touch food. I also have had a headache every day for the last 3 weeks. I have absolutely no sex drive, and my self-esteem is shot. Feeling very depressed lately... do not know if the metformin is affecting me differently because of my bipolar disorder, but I cannot feel like this forever."

• wai...
• March 4, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "Taking metformin twice daily for nine days now - 1st time user - horrible stomach cramps and diarrhea first 7 days, but clearing up now, sleeping 10-13 hours every other day and feeling tired in the evening, not in the morning. Nauseous when eating anything in the evening, headaches in the evening also. Seeing a drop in glucose readings of about 30 points fasting at this time, some weight loss probably from fluid loss and not eating much in the evenings."

• Mar...
• November 21, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Doctors should take this medicine before prescribing it. Took 2000 mg for 2 weeks with no help with my diabetes numbers. It made me depressed after 6 days, I have never felt like this ever in my life. I burned my digestive system, hurt my stomach, my esophagus, and colon, felt nauseous. Could only go to the restroom once a day, I used to go at least 3 times a day. From day 3 on, I had a nagging headache, not too painful but annoying. About the third day, my mouth started tasting like sewer, nasty taste."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have PCOS and was prescribed Glucophage 500 mg daily, and for the first 14 days, I only experienced stomach pains and a slight headache. Today is the 15th day, and I suddenly started vomiting about 8 times. I am not sure why the sudden change in side effects. I thought I could be pregnant, but the dates don't add up."

• 40 ...
• October 29, 2008

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been taking Metformin for my PCOS since September 8th. When I don't eat before I take it, I get headaches and tummy aches. I tend to get shaky and faint feeling. So I make sure that I eat first and never take them on an empty stomach. If I miss a pill or two, I feel bad, sick-like. I forgot I was not supposed to drink and had a beer, I became really tired and felt like I had a sugar crash, won't do that again. Other than that, the only side effect that the pill gives me is a dry mouth. I am always thirsty. My face has cleared up, but I have not lost any noticeable weight at the moment. Take this medicine as directed. Rating this medicine as a 5, I have not been taking it long enough to see any changes other than a clear face."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2018

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Unfortunately, it did not work for me. I've tried it 2 separate times with no results. My endocrinologist was hopeful that it would balance my hormones and help me lose weight. I was constantly nauseated all the time, and headaches would come and go. I noticed no weight loss during that time at all. Finally had to get off it because of the horrible GI symptoms."

• Dev...
• April 15, 2021

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I started taking Metformin for PCOS. I first got a headache, then muscle cramps and aches. I didn’t think anything of it until they started getting worse, and then I got shortness of breath and drowsiness. I ended up going to the ER for possible lactic acidosis. They say it wasn’t the case, but I honestly don’t believe it. I quit Metformin 3 days ago, and I’m still having muscle cramps, aches, and then a burning and numb sensation in my thighs. I can’t believe taking this drug for only a week did all of these things."