Experiencing Ineffectiveness of Metformin? Explore remedial actions, consult with your physician, and gain insights on what to do next.
Metformin, an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, continues to be available on the market without a recall due to the presence of probable carcinogens. This is according to the latest information available as of mid-2025.
The treatment works by lowering the amount of sugar produced by the liver, reducing the absorption of sugar throughout the intestines, and improving insulin function. However, it may take several weeks or months before this treatment reduces blood sugar levels.
While other medications, such as ranitidine, have been recalled due to nitrosamine impurities, there is no specific record of metformin extended release products being recalled for this reason. The European Medicines Agency and other regulators have primarily addressed nitrosamine contamination concerns for cardiovascular and acid-reducing drugs.
If metformin is not working effectively, blood sugar levels can rise, requiring immediate medical attention. Lactic acidosis, a rare but very serious side effect of metformin, is a buildup of acid in the blood and requires immediate medical attention with symptoms such as cold hands, cold feet, dizziness, a slow heartbeat, an irregular heartbeat, weakness, tiredness, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, stomach pain, and vomiting.
To ensure the medication's effectiveness, anyone who uses medications to control their blood sugar levels should take their medication as prescribed, follow an approved exercise plan, and reduce their carbohydrate intake. Foods rich in dietary fiber, such as beans and other legumes, are recommended, while foods that rank high on the glycemic index, such as certain breakfast cereals and jasmine rice, should be avoided.
Beyond insulin and metformin, other drug treatments for diabetes include sulfonylureas, meglitinides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, selective amylinomimetic, and sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors.
If blood sugar levels remain high despite taking metformin and making recommended lifestyle changes, doctors may recommend changing the treatment plan. It is important to undergo regular monitoring and understand when to seek medical care, as severely high blood sugar is a medical emergency.
People currently taking metformin should contact their healthcare provider to discuss whether they should continue taking their medication or if they need a new prescription. The effects of metformin are usually noticeable within 48 hours of taking the medication, with the most significant effects occurring in 4-5 days.
The first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes is a combination of changes to diet and exercise routines and the medication metformin. A doctor can provide detailed information about how diabetes medications work and other ways to reduce blood sugar levels. Doctors choose the most appropriate diabetes medication for each person depending on their needs.
[References] [1] European Medicines Agency. (2025). Metformin. Retrieved from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/metformin [2] Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Metformin. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/metformin [3] Diabetes Canada. (2025). Glycemic Index. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-management/food-and-nutrition/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load [4] European Medicines Agency. (2020). Ranitidine. Retrieved from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ranitidine
- Despite the continuation of Metformin on the market, other treatments, like ranitidine, have been recalled due to nitrosamine impurities.
- The European Medicines Agency primarily addresses nitrosamine contamination concerns for cardiovascular and acid-reducing drugs.
- Lactic acidosis, a rare but serious side effect of Metformin, requires immediate medical attention due to symptoms like cold hands, weakness, and dizziness.
- To ensure Medication's effectiveness, individuals should take their medication as prescribed, exercise, and reduce their carbohydrate intake.
- Foods rich in dietary fiber like beans and other legumes are recommended, while foods with high glycemic index should be avoided.
- Beyond insulin and Metformin, other drug treatments for diabetes include sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and GLP-1 agonists.
- If blood sugar levels remain high despite taking Metformin and recommended lifestyle changes, doctors may recommend a new treatment plan.
- It's important for people currently taking Metformin to discuss their medication with their healthcare provider.
- The first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes is a combination of changes to diet and exercise routines and Metformin.
- Doctors choose the most appropriate diabetes medication for each person depending on their needs and medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis or psoriasis.
- Research in predictive science is ongoing to understand the effects of chronic diseases like diabetes, depression, obesity, and hyperglycemia on mental health.
- Health and wellness, fitness and exercise, nutrition, and mental health are all interconnected and play crucial roles in chronic disease management.
- Seekers of health information can find numerous resources online, such as the European Medicines Agency or the FDA's websites for detailed information about medications.
- The presence of probable carcinogens in Metformin does not mean it causes cancer but emphasizes the importance of medical-condition management and regular monitoring.
- Macular degeneration, asthma, type-2 diabetes, hepatitis, and migraine are some chronic diseases that are part of the progressive impact of multiple degeneration and psychological factors on health.
