Metformin Dosage

[John - Ratty]

Hi,

I was diagnosed Type 2 diabetic just before Xmas and was prescribed
Metformin with a dosage of one 500mg tablet once a day, i was told that
this would be increased as time went on, as it did I'm now on 3 500mg
Metformin and 1 80mg Gliclazide per day.

My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4
tablets) any time during the day even though it says on the box 'one to
be taken 3 times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking them with my
evening meal, but i have just noticed (according to the leaflet in the
Metformin box) that I should not double up the dose, is taking the whole
daily dose together normal or should I get the dosage clarified by me
GP? the latter probably seems the best course of action anyway but just
wanted to see what others think before I do.

[Paul Cummins]

Post by John - Ratty
My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4
tablets) any time during the day even though it says on the box
'one to be taken 3 times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking
them with my evening meal, but i have just noticed (according to
the leaflet in the Metformin box) that I should not double up the
dose, is taking the whole daily dose together normal or should I
get the dosage clarified by me GP?

1 Metformin qwith each meal, and the gliclazide in the morning would
be normal.

I take 4 Metformin, 2 morning and 2 afternoon, and a gliclazide, but
it's kept me under good control for over 12 months :-)

[Colin Reeves]

Post by John - Ratty
My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4
tablets) any time during the day even though it says on the box 'one to
be taken 3 times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking them with my
evening meal, but i have just noticed (according to the leaflet in the
Metformin box) that I should not double up the dose, is taking the whole
daily dose together normal or should I get the dosage clarified by me
GP? the latter probably seems the best course of action anyway but just
wanted to see what others think before I do.

I take 4 x 500g Metformin at the same time (post evening meal). However,
to get to this I now use the slow release version. With conventional
pills thy were split breakfast / evening meals.

[Nicky]

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:31:31 +0000, John - Ratty

Post by John - Ratty
My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4
tablets) any time during the day even though it says on the box 'one to
be taken 3 times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking them with my
evening meal, but i have just noticed (according to the leaflet in the
Metformin box) that I should not double up the dose

The stuff works when your system is saturated, and whatever regular
dosage pattern you use will work for that. I used to get a small bg
lowering effect with the meal I took it with, and so preferred to take
it at breakfast time, when my IR is greatest. What is your meter
telling you?

Nicky.
T2 DX 05/2004
A1c 5.5% BMI 25 D&E
100ug Thyroxine

[John - Ratty]

Post by John - Ratty
Hi,
I was diagnosed Type 2 diabetic just before Xmas and was prescribed
Metformin with a dosage of one 500mg tablet once a day, i was told that
this would be increased as time went on, as it did I'm now on 3 500mg
Metformin and 1 80mg Gliclazide per day.
My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4
tablets) any time during the day even though it says on the box 'one to
be taken 3 times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking them with my
evening meal, but i have just noticed (according to the leaflet in the
Metformin box) that I should not double up the dose, is taking the whole
daily dose together normal or should I get the dosage clarified by me
GP? the latter probably seems the best course of action anyway but just
wanted to see what others think before I do.

hmmmm so it's pretty much as I thought then, I should be splitting the
dose up during the day, will double check tomorrow but I think i'll be
doing that from now on.

I seem to have 2 spikes during the day, one about lunch time and again
at around this time of night (midnight-ish) when I go to about 9 - 10
mmol the rest of the day is usually about 7 - 8 mmol, I have been told
by my GP not to test as much as I have been don't know if that is a cost
thing or I really don't need to. when I was first diagnosed and got my
meter i was a bit paranoid and was testing at least 5 or 6 times per
day. but that's slowing down now to around once or twice a day.

Thanks for replies guy :-)

[Nicky]

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:31:21 +0000, John - Ratty

Post by John - Ratty
I seem to have 2 spikes during the day, one about lunch time and again
at around this time of night (midnight-ish) when I go to about 9 - 10
mmol the rest of the day is usually about 7 - 8 mmol, I have been told
by my GP not to test as much as I have been don't know if that is a cost
thing or I really don't need to. when I was first diagnosed and got my
meter i was a bit paranoid and was testing at least 5 or 6 times per
day. but that's slowing down now to around once or twice a day.

Are you a T2, did you say? If you are, anything above 8 is doing you
damage, and you should be able to get a better handle on it with
either diet/exercise or medication. If your doc is happy with your
current figures - and there's nothing else going on that you haven't
told us about - then you need a new doc. Pronto.

Here's a couple of links to think about:
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm
http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/bloodsugartargets.htm

Nicky.

[John - Ratty]

Post by Nicky
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:31:21 +0000, John - Ratty

Post by John - Ratty
I seem to have 2 spikes during the day, one about lunch time and again
at around this time of night (midnight-ish) when I go to about 9 - 10
mmol the rest of the day is usually about 7 - 8 mmol, I have been told
by my GP not to test as much as I have been don't know if that is a cost
thing or I really don't need to. when I was first diagnosed and got my
meter i was a bit paranoid and was testing at least 5 or 6 times per
day. but that's slowing down now to around once or twice a day.

Are you a T2, did you say? If you are, anything above 8 is doing you
damage, and you should be able to get a better handle on it with
either diet/exercise or medication. If your doc is happy with your
current figures - and there's nothing else going on that you haven't
told us about - then you need a new doc. Pronto.
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm
http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/bloodsugartargets.htm
Nicky.

Hmm, thanks for the advice and links Nicky,

I am worried now, as my 14 day average is about 9.7 I'm not due for my
second HBa1c check till the middle of march and they won't do anything
till then, somehow I have a feeling I'll be going on insulin fairly soon.

I have reduced intake of sugar and fat considerably, but after reading
some of the info' on the links you provided I don't think it's enough.

I am arthritic and can't exercise as much as I should.

so for the time being I'm going to adjust the tablet dosage times and
see how thing go from there, if my BG levels don't come down a bit more
then I'll go see the Doc/nurse and get more advice.

Thanks

[Nicky]

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:30:49 +0000, John - Ratty

Post by John - Ratty
I am worried now, as my 14 day average is about 9.7 I'm not due for my
second HBa1c check till the middle of march and they won't do anything
till then, somehow I have a feeling I'll be going on insulin fairly soon.

Ah, you're new. What's the trend? If it's downwards, don't panic.

Post by John - Ratty
I have reduced intake of sugar and fat considerably, but after reading
some of the info' on the links you provided I don't think it's enough.

Carbs have the biggest effect on your glucose levels. The worst carbs,
for many people, are potatoes, rice, flour - anything white. Oats and
parsnips zap me too, but other people can get away with them. You need
to test,test,test at the beginning to discover what kinds of things
you need to cut down on, and what you need to avoid altogether. You
can cut down on the test frequency once you've got a good idea of your
new diet. Cutting down on saturated fats is a good idea, but don't
worry too much about good fats like avocados, olive oil, etc - you
need to replace those carb calories with something! Yell if you get
bored - or go and check out alt.food.diabetic; lots and lots of recipe
ideas there. Don't buy a diabetic cookbook - they're usually far too
high in carbs for non-insulin users.

Post by John - Ratty
I am arthritic and can't exercise as much as I should.

Lots of things you can do whilst arthritic. Swimming is the classic,
but a walk after lunch and supper will do huge benefit to your blood
glucose. Start very unambitiously, and work up. Get some of those
wrist and ankle weights - very light ones - and do some resistance
training; more muscles mean better bg control and easier weight loss.

Take care,

Nicky.
T2 DX 05/2004
A1c 5.5% BMI 25 D&E
100ug Thyroxine

[Martin. B]

John, i take the maximum dose of Metformin... 2g a day. I take mine as
2x500mg in the morning and 2x500mg in the evening and I guess that spreading
it out decreases the risk of any side effects (espcecially those stomach
upsets). I'm not sure of the length of time it works but taking 1x500 at
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner seems to indicate that it helps with using the
insulin released for each meal. I would recommend you go back to 1x500 at
intervals through the day.

Mart.

Post by John - Ratty
Hi,
I was diagnosed Type 2 diabetic just before Xmas and was prescribed
Metformin with a dosage of one 500mg tablet once a day, i was told that
this would be increased as time went on, as it did I'm now on 3 500mg
Metformin and 1 80mg Gliclazide per day.
My Diabetese nurse told me that I could take them all together (4 tablets)
any time during the day even though it says on the box 'one to be taken 3
times daily' ( for the Metformin) I am taking them with my evening meal,
but i have just noticed (according to the leaflet in the Metformin box)
that I should not double up the dose, is taking the whole daily dose
together normal or should I get the dosage clarified by me GP? the latter
probably seems the best course of action anyway but just wanted to see
what others think before I do.
--
John - Ratty
May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future