Metformin and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Ivy...
• March 7, 2021

For Female Infertility "If you take the medication with food you'll avoid an upset stomach, avoid processed sugar (metformin basically just makes you expel it) and you'll avoid the worst diarrhea of your life. I started taking metformin in January 2019 for infertility and PCOS symptoms. It helped regulate my period. Within 2 months of taking it (coupled with a dietary change of no processed sugars), I lost 40 lbs in 4 months and I was pregnant by April 2019. Started taking metformin again to help with PCOS symptoms for ovulation in October 2020 (between then and March total weight loss 50 lbs) pregnant positive March 2021. My doctor believes it's a combination of the metformin for ovulation and weight loss making it easier to get pregnant. Hope this helps you on your journey."

• Eli...
• March 3, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I'd like to share a very positive experience with Metformin. I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome after very irregular periods and anovulatory cycles. I already worked out regularly and was a healthy weight. My husband and I tried for a very long time to conceive and were starting to lose hope. My doctor prescribed 1500mg per day. I experienced mild stomach discomfort and no other side effects. The first month, my cycle length was cut in half, and the second month, I got pregnant! I never thought the day would come that I would see a positive pregnancy test. I continued the Metformin through my first trimester, and we now have a perfect baby boy. Keep your head up and give it a try...I am so thankful that I did!"

• Sis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I tried regular metformin and the extended release, and my stomach just cannot handle it. I had severe stomach cramping and uncontrollable diarrhea...meaning when it hit, there was no warning and no time to get to the bathroom. I tried with meals, with milk, without meals, and nothing could allow me to tolerate it."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "This drug gave me terrible stomach cramps that would start 3 hours after each dose, followed by watery diarrhea for hours! I searched for answers and suggestions and found one to be my saving grace! Eat half your meal, take your pill, and then finish your second half of the meal. This equals no more stomach cramps and no diarrhea!"

• Vrh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2021

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I’ve been on this medication for a short period of time. I’m taking 1000 mg of IR per day, and so far none of those scary side effects many people have mentioned. I’ve had mild stomach cramps and nausea that lasts maybe 10 minutes a day. Definitely a reduction in appetite, however. I also am having fewer mood swings, thank goodness. I’m really hoping this will help with weight loss! I will update this review in a month or two."

• Ash...
• March 30, 2015

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I've only been on Metformin for about a month and a half. I've lost about 12 lbs, which is pretty cool because I've never had any success with calorie counting or different diets. I do have stomach cramps, occasional diarrhea, and dizziness, but nothing too bad. I'm only on 500mg twice daily. I'm actually really amazed with this medication. It makes me feel fine, I have my energy back, not constantly craving sweets and caffeine. Overall, I have to give it a ten."

• Han...
• January 9, 2017

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "When I first started taking this medication, it was horrible. I had extreme fatigue, stomach cramping, abnormal bowel movements, and even threw up blood a few times. Despite all of this, I lowered my dosage but stayed on the medication, and I've never felt better. After around 3 weeks of that, I started feeling normal and dropping weight. I'm down 25 lbs combined with only a healthy diet. It suppresses my appetite, but not enough to cause any harm. I am on 500mg 2x a day. Give the medication a chance, a lot of people have to take it for a couple of months for it to work properly."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm a 62-year-old male. Some years back, I was experiencing a very dry mouth and frequent urination. I had my blood sugar level measured, and it was at 350, so I was prescribed Metformin. The Metformin brought my sugar level down to about 150 but gave me a very bad upset stomach. The nausea wasn't temporary for me. It didn't clear up even after taking the Metformin for weeks. However, I did find a solution to the problem. I switched from the regular fast-acting Metformin to the extended-release Metformin XR. The difference was like night and day. I have had no nausea at all using the Metformin XR. If you're having stomach problems using regular Metformin, I suggest trying the extended-release version. I now take 2000 mg of Metformin XR daily."

• Sum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2014

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Since my last child 5 years ago, my body has been all out of whack, piling on the weight, late periods or none at all for months on end. No matter how much I dieted and exercised, the weight would not come off. My doctor diagnosed me with depression at first and took blood to find out I had polycystic ovarian syndrome. I have been prescribed two 500mg doses a day of metformin, and at first, had quite a bad stomach upset for approximately the first 3 weeks. I am now rolling into my 5th week and feel great. The weight's slowly coming off, and the side effects are nonexistent now. Hoping to conceive a child soon if things go to plan."

• Mat...
• March 8, 2012

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Before I took Metformin, I had an unpredictable and agonizingly painful cycle, a bad odor, and was growing facial hair. I was also diagnosed with borderline diabetes. The change between then and now is amazing. My cycle is regular and normal, I don't smell bad constantly, and my face is clean and smooth. The Metformin also controls the diabetic aspect, so I only have to take one medication for two diseases. My biggest side effect is the diarrhea and stomach upset, which is compounded by my Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This is easy to fix by eating a meal before taking Metformin. Despite the gastrointestinal issues, this medicine has changed my life for the better."

• Xpu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2023

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I am overweight and turned out I have quite severe insulin resistance, though glucose, insulin, and the HbA1c were within the normal range. I was snacking all day, being ravenous most of the time and was eating quite a lot, including junk food. I've been on Glucophage XR for a little over three months, with the dose slowly increased to reach 1500 mg a day. Initially, I had diarrhea, bloating, gas, and all sorts of stomach issues, but within a couple of weeks after starting it, things settled down. I feel well now, my blood work results on the third month show a great improvement. My appetite has decreased significantly, and I no longer feel hungry all the time. I stick to three meals a day (about half the amount I used to eat) without any snacking in between. I have also cut down on carbs, pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, and meat. Since starting Glucophage in the end of May, I have lost 9 kg (almost 20 pounds). Overall, I am very satisfied with the results."

• LMM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am a 53-year-old female, have Type 2 diabetes. I was on metformin for 4 years with good control, then developed stomach problems (24/7 nausea). I have a new endocrinologist, and he recommended metformin ER. After two days, I no longer experience the stomach upset. Overall, I am very happy with the medication."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2016

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I started metformin on April 28, 2016. The first two weeks, I was taking 1000 mg each morning after breakfast. My doctor then added an additional 1000 mg each morning in the third week. I experienced very mild nausea and stomach upset. Going into the fifth week, I started having this weird thing happen... As I took steps in walking, I would get this quick catch pain on the inside of my upper thigh to the right of my pubic area where the leg connects... and I would be afraid to take long strides. I did lose 9 pounds in thirty days. I'm not craving too many sweets as my appetite has diminished."

• clg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on metformin for just over 8 weeks now for PCOS - I asked my doctor for this medication to stabilize my weight, I am 5.3 and nearly 11 stone, and no matter what diet I tried or how much exercise I did, I would lose nothing. Since being on metformin, I have had two periods at the exact same time of the month! This has never happened before, I could go months without having one. I have also lost a few pounds from my stomach - something many people with PCOS suffer with. And I even lost some volume from double DD backbreaker breasts! Hallelujah! I did have an upset stomach for a few days, but I learned if I take my 500 mg after I eat my main evening meal, I am fine. So far, this pill has been a blessing!"

• Was...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am 27 and I have PCOS and endometriosis. I was told to lose 20 kg before I could be operated on to remove the endo. My doctor prescribed me Metformin 500 mg for the first week and thereafter increased it to 1000 mg a day. It's my 9th day of being on Metformin and I have lost 2.25 kg in this time. My goal is to get to 55 kg and I'm currently 71 kg. I haven't really experienced the awful diarrhea, however, I have been getting crazy heart palpitations. Also, when I increased the dosage, I found that within the day I would experience some bad stomach cramps, but that's about it. Hoping to achieve my weight loss."

• Jab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with one a day, and after 2 weeks, my doctor had me take two pills a day with my evening meals to avoid stomach-related side effects. I found that if I skip a day, the next night I usually have bad cramps after taking metformin. So I will say take with a meal and don't skip doses. I do get occasional stomach cramps, but overall I'm pleased. Since beginning metformin 9 months ago, I've lost 30 lbs, and I feel great. I would recommend this drug for type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetic."

• Che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on the max dose for many years. I also am on insulin. I am not very healthy, I tire easily and have a lot of stomach problems. The more I read about the side effects, the more I realize that metformin is not that good for a person."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2022

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "Pill form metformin was very hard on my stomach, even the ER form. Enter topical metformin, which has been a godsend. No more stomach issues, and the med is working beautifully. Around $50 at my local compounding pharmacy."

• cla...
• August 19, 2014

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on metformin (the regular one) 850 mg once a day at night since May 2014 for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The first day I took it, I had the worst explosive diarrhea. I persisted with it, and it was giving me bouts of nausea, stomach cramps, poor sleep, and diarrhea. It has been 3 months now, and the symptoms have stopped. I think if you persist at it and definitely take it after a meal, it will be okay! My periods are still being artificially controlled with norethisterone daily, so I can't comment if metformin has regulated my menses, but I am hoping to stop the norethisterone soon!"

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2010

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was originally started on Metformin two years ago. When I first started, I was supposed to take 500 mg twice a day, then gradually up to three times a day. No matter when I took it, I got horribly sick to where I missed work and could not even leave the house. After stopping the Metformin, I tried other medications and things got worse. After reading some reviews, I started taking Metformin extended release. I have been taking it for about three weeks and have had no stomach issues. If you have a sensitive stomach, I highly suggest asking about the extended release. I take it at night with dinner and I am fine. Hope this helps!"

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2019

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I've had type 1 diabetes for 35 years, since age 5, but developed insulin resistance after being on steroids and subsequently gaining weight. My endocrinologist decided we could try metformin off-label to see if it would reduce my insulin requirements and help me lose weight after I lost nothing on a 1200-calorie low carb diet in four months of strict compliance. I was having blood sugar spikes during the night from 100 to nearly 400, likely due to my liver releasing glucose. That disappeared after my first dose, and I woke up at 102. I'm reducing insulin daily, so I should lose some weight finally. I'm only taking half a dose right now but will increase it soon. Stomachache is pretty much constant since I started this medication."

• Nix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "For the past year, I have been keenly exercising on top of a previously healthy diet. Despite this, I put on weight (thanks, PCOS). I then came off hormonal birth control in May, and the weight gain happened quicker. My diet was heavily restricted, I ramped up the exercise constantly, and nothing changed. It cost £600 privately, but I got a metformin prescription. It's only been two weeks, and what a difference. Almost 7 lbs lost (back to healthy weight range) with no lifestyle change (but I do eat clean and exercise daily). One upset tummy three days in, but nothing more. I feel like finally the work I have put in over the last year is visible, and it feels so, so good. I've almost cried with relief multiple times!"

• YoU...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2018

For Insulin Resistance Syndrome "I found out I had PCOS and insulin resistance last year. I tried to lose weight naturally and without success. Started on metformin 500 twice a day after food and had terrible stomach problems, plus depression. My husband noticed I was terribly low. Then the doctor recommended 1000 mg slow release and I have felt fantastic for the last 3 months. Cravings gone, don’t feel lethargic after eating and have much more energy. I have lost 5 kg of fat and been able to build muscle easily with a good meal plan. Very happy but wondering if I should go back to check my glucose tolerance again and if I can or should increase."

• luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Gave me very bad stomach issues, caused me to develop a heart problem, and I stayed in bed the entire year and a half that I was on it. Metformin is a horrible drug that should not be on the market at all. Made me very weak, tired, caused dehydration due to not being able to keep anything at all in my system. After taking it, I developed IBS and other issues aside from CHF."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been prescribed Metformin XR 1000 mg per day and increasing to 1500 mg next week. It has reduced my appetite, but every time I eat, I get stomach cramps and need to run to the toilet. I have a sensitive bowel anyway, so my body takes a while to adjust to medication, therefore, I am prepared to endure the tummy upsets for a couple more weeks. I am normally always hungry and need to eat a fair amount of food, however, when on Metformin, I am rarely hungry, and it doesn't take much to fill me up. With the combination of reduced appetite and frequent visits to the toilet, it's no wonder people lose weight. Short-term pain for long-term gain, yeah?"