Metformin + mystery odor

CountYourselfIn · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 05:32 AM

I'm somewhat convinced that metformin is giving my pee a strange odor.

I've read at least one other complaint about this online somewhere.

Has anyone else heard of that?

Possibly just medication in conjunction w/ moderate dehydration?

I'm probably just not getting enough water.

Cassini · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 10:50 AM

I had this same problem when I first started the Met. I too figured it was likely dehydration as well and started to make myself drink more, after all, with normal (ish) bs no more thirsties!

As my body has adjusted to these meds I no longer have the problem but I sometimes still don't drink enough water in a day, something I am working on at the current time.

Hope this helps,

Cass

HuskerMychal · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 11:47 AM

maybe it has something to do with the fact that some metformins have themselves a weird odor, kinda like fish. I have heard it is because fish oil is used by some manufactorers as a binder

Debbie Sue · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 06:57 PM

Metformin, in my opinion, just plain stinks! lol! I noticed an odor for awhile too when I first started taking it. I don't notice it now . Maybe I'm just used to it. No one says anything about an odor though.

walleyedave · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 07:31 PM

I too have noticed in the past that urine smells like a hospital when taking met. I thought it was just me. huh funny.

CountYourselfIn · #6 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassini

I had this same problem when I first started the Met. I too figured it was likely dehydration as well and started to make myself drink more, after all, with normal (ish) bs no more thirsties!

As my body has adjusted to these meds I no longer have the problem but I sometimes still don't drink enough water in a day, something I am working on at the current time.

Hope this helps,

Cass

Totally does! Thank you. I see you're from BC too. Awesome. = )

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskerMychal

maybe it has something to do with the fact that some metformins have themselves a weird odor, kinda like fish. I have heard it is because fish oil is used by some manufactorers as a binder

That's really sensible.. it's like badly smoked salmon slash old meat slash pee. So yeah, that'd be a very likely scenario.

Slash ew. :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbie Sue

Metformin, in my opinion, just plain stinks! lol! I noticed an odor for awhile too when I first started taking it. I don't notice it now . Maybe I'm just used to it. No one says anything about an odor though.

I seriously worry that someone's gonna walk by and just pause, sniff a few times, make a sour face and move on. lol.

Fortunately it hasn't happened to me either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleyedave

I too have noticed in the past that urine smells like a hospital when taking met. I thought it was just me. huh funny.

Yeah, it reminds me of the hospital too. = \

I still notice it more when I'm not drinking enough water for extended periods... or when I'm not drinking enough water when I take the pills. Like perhaps it's not breaking down properly due to inadequate hydration.

I'm going to try more water, like Cass, and see if that fixes it.

8kids4me · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 04:21 AM

I found this last time of ignoring my diabetes that when I don't take my metformin, my urine stinks.

Caravaggio · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 12:56 AM

I will start taking metformin again. I'm familiar with the possible side effects of metformin, but stinky pee wasn't one of them. Thank you for the warning.

Caravaggio · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleyedave

I too have noticed in the past that urine smells like a hospital when taking met. I thought it was just me. huh funny.

I'm a little confused. I thought metformin does not work for Type -1 or insulin-dependent? Maybe I'm misinformed?

Cormac_Doyle · #10 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravaggio

I'm a little confused. I thought metformin does not work for Type -1 or insulin-dependent? Maybe I'm misinformed?

Metformin is used to reduce insulin resistance. Since most Type-1 diabetics do not have any significant level of insulin resistance, there is no requirement for using Metformin.

Metformin (unlike the Sulfonylureas) does not trigger the release of Insulin; because the Sulfas trigger the release of Insulin, they have absolutely no effect on T1 diabetics, who cannot produce insulin anyway ... Metformin increases the efficacy of the insulin present - so while inappropriate as a sole medication for a T1, it reduces the amount of insulin required for the desired effect.

Caravaggio · #11 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 08:08 PM

Thank you for clarifying my confusion!

qatperson · #12 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009, 02:42 PM

I think it's the diabetes that makes the pee stink because now that I'm on the metformin (which stinks the same way all by itself) my pee doesn't have the odor. Before I started on the medication, I couldn't stand myself.

I wish I had known about this before insteady of stumbling around thinking I was crazy.

Reba55 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-18-2009, 08:38 PM

Maybe all of us Metformin users stink and don't know it! lol