Metformin (Glucophage)

FDA Approved

Overall, patient sentiment regarding Metformin is mixed, with many users reporting significant benefits alongside some notable side effects. While a majority of users find it helpful for managing their diabetes and weight, others express concerns about its gastrointestinal effects.

Commonly Reported Benefits

  • Many users report effective weight loss and appetite control.
  • Improved blood sugar levels and stable A1C are frequently mentioned.
  • Some users experience better energy levels and overall well-being.

Commonly Reported Side Effects

  • Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea are commonly reported.
  • Dizziness and fatigue can significantly impact daily activities.
  • Some users experience weight gain and hormonal changes.

Overall Takeaway

Metformin is widely recognized for its benefits in managing blood sugar levels and aiding weight management, with many users noting improvements in their overall health and energy. However, gastrointestinal side effects such as cramps and nausea are prevalent, leading to mixed experiences. Additionally, some users report feelings of fatigue and weight gain, which can detract from the positive effects. Balancing these factors is essential for anyone considering or currently using Metformin.

Effectiveness

Users report improvement

66%

Side Effects

Reported side effects

39%

Would Recommend

To others with same condition

64%

Avg. Duration

Average reported usage duration

N/A

Side Effects Frequency
Percentage of users reporting each side effect
Sentiment Analysis
User sentiment from reviews and feedback
Positive
54%
Neutral / Mixed
16%
Negative
30%

-T

Positive
2/16/2024
Only on 500 (extended release) so far but I’ve finally been able to lose weight again, no other symptoms, no stomach issues. Miss Flo came back and is regular again!

KL

Positive
1/10/2026
I’ve been on it for about 3 months. As other people mentioned, the stomach issues it causes in the beginning was pretty rough but it got better. It was a lot of trial and error for me and I found it was best to take it a little after I was done a meal and no fried food. I still have issues once in a while but I would say it got significantly better after a month or so. Imodium became my best friend haha With that being said, the positives outweighed the negatives. Almost immediately I started to notice changes to my body shape. My stomach became flatter. I’ve even lost a few pounds without even really trying. My weight has always been an issue for me. It also helped a lot with unwanted facial hair. I also have really bad anxiety and OCD. Within the first month I...

DE

Negative
1/10/2026
i used to take metformin for insuline resistant PCOS, i also have IBS and had to stop after a month i literally couldn't stop pooping every 5 mins (even with loperamide) 💀 I swapped to a glp-1 so far so good!

MZ

Positive
1/10/2026
Metformin helped regulate my period, and get me pregnant when I wasn’t even trying so… there’s that 😅

KH

Positive
1/10/2026
You’ll get nauseous but you’ll get used to it, it’s still worth taking

UN

Negative
1/10/2026
It didn't because I couldn't tolerate it. The stomach pain and diarrhea were debilitating. I tried it 3 different times, years apart each time. I'm on a GLP-1 now and it's resolved my PCOS symptoms and I don't have symptoms, fascinatingly.

AL

Negative
1/10/2026
I developed a B12 deficiency that made me moody, emotionally fragile and fatigued. It also caused temporary vision loss / fuzzy vision, which always peaked after I took another Metformin. I started taking it only at night, but that wasn't a good, long-lasting solution, of course. I'm sad nobody told me it might deplete my B12, which is why I always repeat my advice to check for B12 deficiency symptoms whenever anyone asks about what they should expect when they start Metformin.

ST

Positive
1/10/2026
On metformin twice a day (1000mg) and I love it! Lost 30 pounds and have a regular period! I’m also on Diane 35 which helped my acne! But metformin was a game changer for me and also got rid of my sugar cravings and binge eating!
Frequently Asked Questions about Metformin (Glucophage)

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