Is Yellow Diarrhea A Side Effect Of Metformin?

Metformin, a widely used medication for type 2 diabetes, can cause diarrhea due to its impact on the gastrointestinal system. It works in the gut to lower blood glucose, potentially altering bacteria in the gut. This can lead to “late-onset chronic diarrhea”, even in patients who have taken the same dosage for years without issue. Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea.

The most common side effect is GI upset, especially diarrhea, which should improve once the drug has been on for a while. However, more serious side effects like lactic acidosis and other diabetes medications can affect how the intestines work. Research suggests that 15 to 24 of people who take metformin experience these side effects.

To help cope with these side effects, it is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of this phenomenon, especially when prescribing extended-release medications like metformin. Patients with type 2 diabetes who take metformin may experience chronic diarrhea and weight loss at any time, even after several years of stable dosing.

Metformin can cause diarrhea due to its significant impact on the gastrointestinal system. It alters stomach bacteria and increases intestinal movement. It is known that metformin can cause diarrhea, and it is important to check with your doctor right away if you experience pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, or other symptoms.

In summary, metformin is a common medication for type 2 diabetes, but it can also cause various side effects, including diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea. It is crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of these potential side effects and provide appropriate support for patients taking metformin.

What are the symptoms of too much metformin?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking metformin and call your doctor immediately: extreme tiredness, weakness, or discomfort; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; decreased appetite; deep and rapid breathing or shortness of breath; dizziness; lightheadedness; fast or slow heartbeat; muscle pain; or feeling cold, especially in your hands or feet.

Tell your doctor if you regularly drink alcohol or sometimes drink large amounts of alcohol in a short time (binge drinking). Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing lactic acidosis or may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe to drink while you are taking metformin.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests before and during treatment to check how well your kidneys are working and your body’s response to metformin. Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of taking metformin.

Should I stop taking metformin if I have diarrhea?

If your diarrhea is severe, your medical provider may suggest taking anti-diarrheal medication. They may also recommend stopping metformin for a short period of time to see if the diarrhea resolves.

Other Metformin Side Effects. Common side effects of metformin are short-term and mild.

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Bloating
• Gas
• Bad (metallic) taste in mouth

Will I lose belly fat on metformin?

Metformin may also reduce weight by decreasing the amount of visceral fat in the liver and muscle tissue. Visceral fat is stored within the abdominal cavity, which contains several internal organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It can also build up in muscles including the heart muscle. Visceral fat is considered more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it is associated with an increased risk of various health conditions, such as heart disease.

Weight loss as a side effect?. Metformin is generally safe, but common side effects do include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Those experiencing these unpleasant side effects might consume less food, resulting in modest weight reductions.

Off-label use of metformin for weight loss. Due to metformin’s inconsistent weight loss effects, the FDA has not approved the use of metformin as a stand-alone therapy for weight reduction. However, doctors may still prescribe it off-label if they believe it could be helpful. Off-label use of metformin is also more common in patients at high risk for metabolic complications such as those who have prediabetes.

What happens if you eat a lot of sugar while taking metformin?

2. High sugar foods. Similarly, foods high in added sugar can increase insulin resistance, says Palinski-Wade, rendering metformin less effective for people taking the drug to lower their blood sugar levels. Try to stay under the recommended daily limit for added sugar, which is six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.

This seems easy to do, but added sugar is hiding in many of our foods and drinks. Even healthy foods like yogurt can have extra-high amounts of added sugar, as can condiments like salad dressing and ketchup. Also, keep an eye on your favorite beverages. While Dr. Kelvas says it’s fine to drink regular coffee when taking metformin, she cautions against drinking really sugary coffee drinks (like flavored lattes and frappuccinos). Stick to plain black coffee with a splash of your milk of choice.

It’s also important to note that added sugar is not the same as natural sugar. It’s okay to eat fruits and vegetables with a higher sugar content in moderation (i. e., bananas and sweet potatoes) because natural sugars don’t affect your blood sugar levels the same way as added sugars do.

Does metformin clean your gut?

The impact of metformin on the gut microbiota in humans remains unclear, with some studies reporting significant changes and others finding no significant effects. There is conflicting evidence regarding the direction and magnitude of the effect. A comprehensive systematic review is needed to synthesize available evidence and provide a critical assessment of the effects of metformin on the gut microbiota. This review aims to summarize and evaluate existing knowledge on the impact of metformin on the gut microbiota in humans, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future research directions. The findings may have important implications for the use of metformin as a therapeutic agent, as the gut microbiota plays a critical role in metabolic and immune functions.

The literature search was conducted using the PICOS framework, focusing on population, intervention, comparisons, outcomes, and study design. The search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2023, using relevant keywords and search terms aligned with the PICOS criteria. The search focused primarily on clinical trials and observational studies, as recommended for systematic reviews.

What should I eat if I have yellow watery diarrhea?

The BRAT dietBananas. Starch in the fruit can help absorb water in your colon, which works to firm up your stool. … Rice. Select white rice over brown rice in this case, as it’s easier on your stomach. Applesauce. Look to grab unsweetened applesauce to cut down on sugar. Toast.

Diarrhea. The word alone is enough to make you feel uncomfortable.

We’ve all experienced diarrhea. In fact, most people deal with it a few times a year after a disagreeable meal, bacterial infection or some other stomach-churning mechanism that turns your poop loose and watery.

The “runs” typically only last a day or so. (Let’s give some thanks for that, right?) But even if the very idea of hitting the kitchen during that time makes you queasy, you’ve got to eat and drink something.

Does metformin change your stool?

It could possibly lead to more frequent and loose stools as your body tries to readjust. Another possible explanation is that metformin alters the movement of certain gut chemicals, like serotonin or histamine. This can lead to diarrhea.

Does diabetes change stool color?

Changes in stool color is not a symptom of diabetes. Your pediatrician will be your best resource in determining if this might represent a problem.

Why does metformin cause yellow diarrhea?

The diarrhea caused by metformin could be partly due to an osmotic effect, since it seems to cause a higher amount of bile acids and glucose in the intestines. This could draw more water into the intestines, leading to diarrhea.

Metformin might also increase certain substances in the intestines, like GLP-1, serotonin, and histamine, that are linked with gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Studies have also shown that metformin can change the bacteria that live in our intestines, which might cause diarrhea too.

For most people, diarrhea from metformin is most common right after starting it. However, it can sometimes begin after the first few weeks of taking it, or even at any time during treatment.

What does metformin look like in stool?

Macroscopic appearance of metformin XR remainders (ghost tablets) as soft amorphous masses in fecal samples mimicking parasitic elements.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

• 1. Levy J., Cobas R. A., Gomes M. B. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of once-daily extended release metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2010
• 2:16. doi: 10. 1186/1758-5996-2-16. ( DOI ) ( PMC free article ) ( PubMed ) ( Google Scholar )
• 2. Tungaraza T. E., Talapan-Manikoth P., Jenkins R. Curse of the ghost pills: the role of oral controlled-release formulations in the passage of empty intact shells in faeces. Two case reports and a literature review relevant to psychiatry. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2013
• 4:63–71. doi: 10. 1177/2042098612474681. ( DOI ) ( PMC free article ) ( PubMed ) ( Google Scholar )
• 3. Diabetes in Control. Ghost Pills. Available under: diabetesincontrol. com/ghost-pills (accessed 12 September 2019).
• 4. National Alliance for Mental Illness. Frequent questions: I occasionally see what looks like medicine in the stool. Available under: nami. org/FAQ/Mental-Health-Medication-FAQ/I-occasionally-see-what-looks-like-medicine-in-the (accessed 12 September 2019).
• 5. Sissons C. What causes white specks in my poop? MedicalNewToday. Available under: medicalnewstoday. com/articles/321280. php (accessed 12 September 2019).

What organ is metformin hard on?

Conclusions. Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.

Keywords: metformin, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, renal function decline, estimated glomerular filtration rate.

INTRODUCTION. Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent of the biguanide class that lowers blood glucose level mainly by decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity of the peripheral tissues by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization . Metformin was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) In 1994, and it is generally recommended as the first-line pharmacological agent in management guidelines for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) because of its low cost, safety, and association with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events .