Metformin side effects

List of side effects
Lactic Acidosis Common side effects Hypoglycemia

Lactic Acidosis
In rare cases, Metformin can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. This build-up can cause serious damage. Lactic acidosis caused by Metformin is rare and has occurred mostly in people whose kidneys were not working normally. Lactic acidosis has been reported in about one in 33,000 patients taking Metformin over the course of a year. Although rare, if lactic acidosis does occur, it can be fatal in up to half the people who develop it. Return to top

Common side effects
include diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach. These side effects generally go away after you take the medicine for a while. Taking your medicine with meals can help reduce these side effects. Tell your doctor if the side effects bother you a lot, last for more than a few weeks, come back after they’ve gone away, or start later in therapy. You may need a lower dose or need to stop taking the medicine for a short period or for good. About 3 out of every 100 people who take Metformin have an unpleasant metallic taste when they start taking the medicine. It lasts for a short time. Return to top

Hypoglycemia
Metformin rarely cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) by themselves. However, hypoglycemia can happen if you do not eat enough, if you drink alcohol, or if you take other medicines to lower blood sugar. Return to top