Metformin (Oral Route)

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Abdominal or stomach discomfort
• Cough or hoarseness
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Fast or shallow breathing
• Fever or chills
• General feeling of discomfort
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle pain or cramping
• Painful or difficult urination
• Sleepiness

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Chest discomfort
• Cold sweats
• Coma
• Confusion
• Cool, pale skin
• Depression
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Dizziness
• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• Feeling of warmth
• Headache
• Increased hunger
• Increased sweating
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Nightmares
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• Seizures
• Shakiness
• Shortness of breath
• Slurred speech
• Tightness in the chest
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Wheezing

• Behavior change similar to being drunk
• Difficulty with concentrating
• Drowsiness
• Lack or loss of strength
• Restless sleep
• Unusual sleepiness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Acid or sour stomach
• Belching
• Bloated
• Excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• Full feeling
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Passing of gas
• Stomachache
• Stomach upset or pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

• Abnormal stools
• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• Change in taste
• Difficulty with moving
• Discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
• Flu-like symptoms
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Swollen joints

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Copyright © 2013 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.