Side Effects of Metformin May Cause Problems With Thinking: Study

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The findings of a new study raises potential concerns about the side effects of meformin, suggesting that the popular diabetes drug may impair brain functions and cause users to experience problems thinking. 

Metformin is a widely used medication for treatment of type 2 diabetes, which is also known under the brand names Glumetza, Riomet, Fortamet and Glucophage. It is also part of several popular combination therapies, including the blockbuster medication Janumet, which combines metformin with the top selling diabetes drug Januvia.

In a report published by the journal Diabetes Care, researchers compiled data from several different studies, including the Primary Research in Memory (PRIME) study; Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study and data from the Barwon region of southeastern Australia.

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Researchers found that participants with diabetes performed worse on cognitive performance than those who did not have diabetes, with individuals taking a metformin drug performing significantly worse.

More than 1,300 patients were evaluated who had Alzheimer’s disease, mildly impaired brain function and no cognitive impairments; along with a subset group which also had type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose intolerance. Patients who suffered a stroke or had neurodegenerative diseases other than Alzheimer’s were not included in the study.

Patients with type 2 diabetes performed poorly on cognitive impairment tests and those who took metformin performed even worse.

Researchers found metformin was associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency, which in turn resulted in impaired cognitive performance. Patients with vitamin B12 levels less than 250 pmol/L had the worst cognitive performance.

Conversely, patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin, but who also took calcium or vitamin B12 supplements had better cognitive outcomes.

Eileen Moore, PhD, and her team of researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia used a mini-mental state exam (MMSE) to determine cognitive performance in patients. The average patients age was 73 years old, with approximately 60% being female.

Metformin has been hailed by some as a wonder drug in treating type 2 diabetes, however not with its own set of risks. Prior studies have suggested the drug could increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. It has also been associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Researchers say the data warrants further trials to investigate the association between diabetes, cognitive decline and metformin. They also would like to assess the effects of vitamin B12 and calcium on cognition in the older population who have diabetes and are taking drugs like Glucophage or Glumetza.

Written by: Martha Garcia

Health & Medical Research Writer

Martha Garcia is a health and medical research writer at AboutLawsuits.com with over 15 years of experience covering peer-reviewed studies and emerging public health risks. She previously led content strategy at The Blogsmith and contributes original reporting on drug safety, medical research, and health trends impacting consumers.

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81 Comments


John
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the year 2000, when I had a heart attack. The doctor placed 2 stents in me and prescribed metformin 500 mg 2 times a day. It was later increased to 3 times a day. For the next 15 years I suffered with stomach pain and diarreah I had to be very careful when I went anywhere. I had a lots of occasions that I would have accidents because of runny bowels .Thank God I finally got off of metformin and Glucophage. I am on Glipizide now and other medications. The bathroom problem is better. I have had a 3 way bypass, and my kidneys are at stage 4. The doctors are saying I will probably have to go on dialysis in the near future. I believe that these problems are caused by diabetes meds. My memory is real bad now.

Theresa
I have been taking metformin for a few years and also have had stomach cramps, forgetful, brain fog, didn’t realize it c I uld be this.

Brandy
I’ve been on metformin for 3 years now And I always have problems remembering things now and always have severe stomach cramps. Before I could remember anything.

george
what other drugs can you take beside metformin for diabetes.

george
i have diabetes about ten yr my doctor put me on metformin 500mg now i have ckd stage 2 kidney disease my gfr is 65 i think the metformin did this to me , my kidney cant get no better anybody knout a good lawer.

Patricia
I was on metformin for about 5 months then i was taking off of it because it was making me have diarrhea. everything i ate was running straight through me! I even went into a diabetic coma because of this medicane. I even was on januvia and byetta. Now im on Lantus and im fine. I dont not recommend anybody to try those drugs!

Julie
I have been on metformin not long my levels were 7 and the doctor put me on 1000 mg a day. I told her i think that is a strong dose cause now i am only urinating once daily im having stomach pain and my back and legs hurt bad but im told to give it time i know its the metformin i also get dizzy and confused

Dawn
My mom was on metformin and januvia and had strokes. I thought it was from the januvia. Maybe the metformin

Bill
I was on Metformin for 9 years off and on because of these stomach cramps but I was able to adjust my eating between diarrhea and being waken up in the night with intense stomach cramps. When ask the doctor he said that these are some of the side effects. I finally got to the point of extreme night stomach cramps followed by blood in stool. I have so far refused metformin and placed on Ivokans and Glipizide and am slowly recovering. I have had a stomach cat scan and everything was normal but I still am having intense left side stomach, chest pains. I am seeing my regular doctor and the gastronomical specialist. The bleeding in my stool has ceased but the stomach and chest pain, pressure is still there but nothing like when I was taking Metformin. Has this stuff burnt a hole in my stomach? I have an appointment with the specialist at 3 today but have been apprehensive on doing all of the test because of cost. I warn everyone to beware of METFORMIN.

Heidi
I have been on metformin for about a year now & I too have been in a fog, stomach pains, gas, gaining weight. After reading all of these comments I think I’m going to stop using metformin. Just wondering if there are any good medicines to use for type 2 diabetes. How do I trust my doctor if they prescribed a medicine they know is not good for you.

Heidi
I have been on metformin for about a year now & I too have been in a fog, stomach pains, gas, gaining weight. After reading all of these comments I think I’m going to stop using metformin. Just wondering if there are any good medicines to use for type 2 diabetes. How do I trust my doctor if they prescribed a medicine they know is not good for you.

Karen
I’m reading all these comments, because wanted to see if it was just me, but I’ve been taking metfomin since last year, now about a year and I knew that I wasn’t crazy. I began to feel dizzy all the time, brain fog, sometimes too tried to even get out of ed, too tied to comb my hair, stomach cramps. I’ve very active, but all of a sudden a few months ago, I’m too tied to walk as much as I use to, my legs feel week, as though they were gong to give out. So may times walking, I had to sit down for a while before I could carry on. My heart rate began to run rapidly and I would check it along with my BP, and the BP would be on, a lil elevated, but my pulse would be extremely high, even when I haven;t done anything. It has to be the Metformin and I’ve stated ti to my PCP, and had to began seeing a heart specialist. I’m now on medication to slow down my heart rate and was told to stay off the metformin to see if I began to feel better.

Deborah
I have been on metformin for about 6 years. 3 weeks ago I was put in the hospital with acute kidney injury, my kidneys functioning only at 13%. I now have permanent kidney damage due to taking metformin & Lisinopril. I was immediately taken off the meds and my blood sugars are the best they’ve been since I was diagnosed. I test 3 times a day and know when my sugars are low and can have a snack to regulate them. But, I now have permanently damaged kidneys.

Lucy
I’ve been on metformin 1000mg twice a day, Yes I forget things I can’t even remember my dr. name some time. I don’t know how long I’ve been on it. I know it too long now. Now my kidneys are hurting . I have M.S. too. But My MS is doing good since 1987 .

Sheryl
My endocrinologist is an absolute idiot. When I told him the side effects I was having from taking metformin, he had the nerve to tell me it was all “psychological”! Where do all these idiotic doctors come from? ? Do they even know the side effects of medication they prescribe? After I refused to take it, he then prescribed the Lantis pen. HORRIBLE! After the 3rd day, my head went absolutely bizerk! I had SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS and was so agitated that I thought I was losing my mind and wanted to jump out of my skin. After telling him what I’d read about both medications, and refusing to take either one, he dropped me as a patient. I truly believe it was because he was after I would sue him. I just got diagnosed with aortic valve regurgitation, which I believe has been caused from the metformin. I also have kidney and liver damage, and Metabolic syndrome, which he knew, but prescribed large doses anyway. Doctors just don’t care about people, just kickbacks from drug companies. Do your own research and stand your ground!

joseph
I was prescribed metformin for diabetes over a year ago, it lowered my blood sugar to normal levels. But I was experiencing severe stomach cramps. I noticed blood in my stool & called my faimily doctor. I had Abdomen CT, Colonoscopy,Endoscopy,blood work done. While waiting for results I began to hemorrhage thru bowels. Was rushed to hospital where I spent 12 days being treated for ulcerative colitis & bacteria infection in my blood.

Mary
I have been on Metformin for 6 years and I have never had any problems. I feel great!

JUDITH
BRAIN FOG, VOMITTING, DIARHERRIA, FATTY TUMORS ON LIVER, BALDING, BLURRED VISION,

leeroymcbrayer
im talking for my mom she dont know anything about computers i just feel that if it possable for her to get some servince pay for what the metforman has done to her before god takes her home ,

Matthew
Was diagnosed with severe pancreatitis last year. Cant work because I have no control as to when it will act up and how long the attack will last.

Rose
I was diagnoised with type 2 diabetes. I was put on metphomin, glucophage, I was having hard time remembering things and my stomach would hurt a lot. Finally, my doctor changed my meds. I didn’t know it was the medicines. I am doing better but still have problems sometimes remembering and my stomach still bothers me, even after being off metformin for awhile. Plus my A1C was off the chain while taking this medicine. My A1C is now lower and better.

Shirley
Since I have been taking metformin I do not remember things like it use to. I also have had problems with stomach pain a lots.

Lucille
I’m just turned 60 and I’ve been taking Metformin for about a year now. I’ve noticed that I can’t remember what I was about to do? I live with my Son and I want to tell him, but I don’t want to worry him with this. I never use to be like this until I started taking this medicine. Then to top it off I forget what I was going to say? I can’t be losing my mind that fast.! I’m not going out like that!

Katie
My elderly sister was give Metformin and Crestor from two different Doctor and I ask her why she on? she couldn’t tell. me ,since I’ve coming to see her she seen m to be disoriented and stomach too the point we had to take her to the doctor. I live out of town and she has older and married. What can I do?

Robert
off of Metformin feels better have some kidney problems still doing more testing.

Shavon
I too, have bad stomach pains and disoriented to the point that I do not feel safe to drive, at times.

JAMES
METFORMIN STOMACH PAINS AND DISTORED THINGING.

Terry
my husband was put on metformin now he has had a stroke and has trouble remembering things. he started forgetting things then two months later had a stroke

Zina
I had a stroke last year and was put on Metformin, and in January/February was diagnosed a diabetic. I saw an advertisement about metformin causing diabetes and when I inquired was told the benefits outweigh the risk, not true because now I am a diabetic.

carol
I have never been so sick, as when I took Metformin and had total “brain fog”. My doctor kept insisting that the drug was not the cause of my feeling so crappy, but since I have been off the drug for a year now, I have noticed a distinct improvement.

Shirley
My mother’s been a metformin for at least 5years now that she not taking the drug anymore she says she can think clearer and doesn’t seem to be in a “fog” she has also starting to develop some kidney problems

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