Metformin not disolving

[mbhart]

Hi, I am taking 1000 metformin xr twice a day. I have been for some time.

Let me appoligize in advance for being indelicate. I noticed that every day I have pills floating in my stools. I got frustrated one day and fished one out and cut it to see what it was. It was clearly the metformin undisolved. It was very nearly/exactly the same size it was when taken. It even appeared to be dry inside.

My Dr. suggested Riomet but my perscription plan does not cover it.

Any thoughts / feedback would be appreciated.

[Real4]

It was clearly the metformin undisolved. It was very nearly/exactly the same size it was when taken. It even appeared to be dry inside.

This is very strange. Are you taking any serious stomach medication which might effect your digestion?

[princesslinda]

Are you having regular episodes of diarrhea with the metformin? My co-worker has this problem, generally passing her morning meds (including metformin) in the toilet just after lunch. She's never mentioned it to her doctor.

Have you tried taking the metformin with Immodium or some other antidiarrheal?

How long have you been on the metformin?

[mbhart]

I started taking it by itself at 500 mg twice a day. It did not help at all.

Then I started taking 1000 2x a day. No change.

Then they added byetta. My Blood sugars improved. At that point was when I truly noticed the pills.

Yes I have Diarrhea most days and the pill are floating. If they appeared smaller I would think they had partially disolved. I take no other pills that are the same size. I take calcium in capsules.

I have not tried it with imodium.

[mbhart]

No I am not taking stomach medicine. In fact I tend to be very acidic.

[princesslinda]

I'd definitely mention this to your doctor. Can you tell if you are getting any of the benefits of the metformin blood-sugar wise?

Byetta has the opposite effect for me, slowing anything I take with it. Never had any diarrhea with it at all.

[Des]

May I suggest that you take the Met after you eat and drink water before during and after your meal.

Met is known to cause gut problems until your gut gets accustomed to it (some people never do so are moved to other meds). So stick with it but as suggested have a chat with your doctor too.

I am sure that somewhere on this forum I have seen a thread very similiar to this one.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

[lilituc]

I heard about this and was told it was normal to see what looked like a whole pill, and that the medication is actually gone. However, that seems odd if you actually cut it open. I don't know.

[HuskerMychal]

can it be cut up or crushed? maybe smaller pieces would disolve faster

[lilituc]

can it be cut up or crushed? maybe smaller pieces would disolve faster

That is exactly why you shouldn't cut up or crush your medication unless directed to do so by a doctor or pharmacist.

[HuskerMychal]

I think whole pills in your poo would be a reason to call the Dr too IMHO. But for me if I wasnt calling the Dr on that this is a step I would try.

[icebacon]

You definitely should not crush metformin pills. They have to remain whole. There is a laser-drilled hole in the side of the pill where it's supposed to time-release the goods.

[HuskerMychal]

I called my Pharm and she didnt recommend cutting up time released met but saw no issue witg reg met. Said you would prob be safe by cutting up time release a time ot two tho even your sugars were on the high side and you monitered them.

[patricia52]

I have the same stomach issues with metformin. I discussed this with the pharmacist, he said it is normal. I don't know how much longer I can tolerate the stomach issues. I have been taking Metformin ER for 2 years.

[bel4_20]

I too have noticed the met in the stool, i take 4X500mg at bed time and notice 2-3 of them looking whole in the stool the next day. I have not yet asked my doctor about this (but i will). I also read this here on this forum somewhere.

[burnt]

Yup, happens all the time. Dr. doesn't believe it is not something radical like diarhea, but I am telling you that with certain foods it shows up like a morning present.

No, haven't fished it out - saw it quite clearly, thanks a lot.

I tried crushing them, but my liver hurt like **** after trying that. I guess after 15 years of metformin it does not need the rush!