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How to tolerate the side effects of Metformin: Tips to feel less awful on Metformin

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Mila Clarke, MS, NBC-HWC

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Metformin making you nauseous? Here are some ways to tolerate the side effects, and curb nausea.

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Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication that helps regulate blood sugar levels. 

Metformin can help people with diabetes, prediabetes and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome control their insulin sensitivity and weight gain.

However, many patients experience unpleasant side effects when starting the drug.

This blog post will give you tips on how to tolerate the side effects like nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting so that you can feel better while keeping your blood sugars in range.

Table of contents

How does metformin work?

Metformin works by reducing the amount of glucose your liver produces and decreasing insulin resistance.

What is Metformin used for?

Metformin is prescribed to help regulate blood sugar levels for people with diabetes, prediabetes, or PCOS.

It can also be used in conjunction with insulin and other medications if you have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What are the side effects of metformin:

The medication has several known side effects that may be uncomfortable for patients:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Heartburn
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Weight Loss

Tips for tolerating the side effects of Metformin

How I avoided metformin and Ozempic side effects with PCOS & Diabetes (patient's perspective)

There are some practical things you can do to help with Metformin’s side effects.

  • Take it with food. Taking the medication on an empty stomach can make your symptoms worse. 
  • Ask for the extended-release version. Extended release releases the medication into your system slowly, so the side effects don’t feel as severe. 
  • Don’t skip doses of your medication. It’s almost like re-starting the clock, and you’ll have to get used to taking the medications again. This means your symptoms can come back. 
  • Natural remedies like ginger, peppermint or chamomile may help with nausea.
  • Your body will eventually get used to metformin and you should start feeling better in about two weeks.
  • If you still notice nausea, it’s best to talk with your doctor about symptoms, especially if they are debilitating. 

Metformin is a common medication to start. If you notice your symptoms getting worse talk to your doctor about next steps. 

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2 Responses

  1. Good video, but I have tried Metformin ER on multiple occasions and about three or four months in when I reach the 2000mg per day prescription the bloating and gut pain become intolerable. I was doing Gas-x twice a day to compensate for it but there was no way I was going to walk around everyday with a moderate stomach ache. I’d love to find a way to mitigate the side effects. They don’t go away for me no matter how long I’ve been on it.

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How to tolerate the side effects of Metformin: Tips to feel less awful on Metformin

Metformin making you nauseous? Here are some ways to tolerate the side effects, and curb nausea.
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Picture of Mila Clarke, MS, NBC-HWC

Mila Clarke, MS, NBC-HWC

Mila Clarke is a Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, an author, self-taught cook, nutritionist and Integrative Nutrition Diabetes Health Coach, diabetes advocate and founder of Hangry Woman and The Glucose Guide App. Hangry Woman aims to take away the shame and stigma that comes with a diabetes diagnosis and covers topics like diabetes management, cooking, and self-care from the perspective of someone living with the chronic condition. Her book –– The Diabetes Food Journal –– Is one of the most sought after diabetes self-management tools for patients. Her online community – Glucose Guide – offers affordable health coaching, hundreds of diabetes-friendly recipes and community peer support. Mila has been featured by CNN, The New York Times, Eat This Not That, USA Today, Good Housekeeping and WebMD. She contributes to Healthline, The Washington Post, DiaTribe, and EatingWell Magazine. Mila lives in Houston, Texas with her Miniature Poodle, Noodle.

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