METFORMIN / METFORMIN XR

[sillydreamangel]

DOes anyone know what the diff. between metformin and metformin xr is? I use to be on metformin a few years ago. I recently started taking it again and the pill are shaped different. they are round instead of long. And i was thinking i remember being on the met xr. But what is the diff? If anyone knows that would be awesome. i think my the ob nurse hate me by now... with all the ?'s.

[dreaming]

sillydreamangel - I think the XR stands for extended release.

[sillydreamangel]

thanks for the reply. i just meant why does some people get metformin and others metformin xr.

[JessLav83]

I have heard that the XR is easier on your tummy.

[sillydreamangel]

wonder why they didn't put me on that... IM CALLING TOMORROW.... Ahhh

Thanks...

[sillydreamangel]

wonder why they didn't put me on that... IM CALLING TOMORROW.... Ahhh

Thanks...

[sillydreamangel]

I called the nurse line and pharmacy and they called in an order for metformin xr hopefully this helps.

[JessLav83]

good luck!

[sweetsunshine72]

They don't automatically go for the XR version as I believe there's no generic version of this, therefore it can be a lot more expensive. If it helps, though, then it's worth it!

HTH!!

[settingqt31]

also another difference is some studies have shown normal met has more weight loss than XR but I have lost a ton on XR so no complaints from me.

[sillydreamangel]

Well So far i am not as sick as what i was on just metformin. And i started my cycle. i haven't had that since i had my son 16 months ago. So this is pretty good. Im going to start exercising now that i feel better. so im pumped!!

[momof2cuties]

I am wondering if anyone was on regular met and then switched to met xr? I have been having horrible side effects since upping my dose of reg met to 1000mg. I was hoping that switching to met xr will help with the side effects a little bit. any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[sillydreamangel]

I had problems on it i couldn't hardly get off my soffa.... I called the doctor and asked about it and they switched me to metformin xr. I would ask your doctor about it... I couldn't Tolerate it for some reason. It made me feel AWFUL! Thats just my experience. I haven't been on met xr very long just switched but i already feel better from when i was taking reg met.

[turtle*in*sun]

There is a generic of the XR.

Not only is it usually easier on your stomach, but it also provides a more even distribution of the drug.

Not sure why they lean one way or another with prescribing it, my dr's have only ever done the xr.

[momof2cuties]

ok, I called my endo today and told her about the aweful side effects that I am having. I asked if I could switch to the Met XR and she said that in her experience, her patients have WORSE side effects on the XR version. This is the second time I have asked her about putting me on the XR version and she insists that it will be worse. Instead, she had me go back the the 500mg of reg met for a week or so until my body get used to it before switching again to the 1000mg.
I am very frustrated with this. From everything that is on these boards and what I have read online, the XR version is easier on your tummy. Why is she so reluctant to put me on the XR version?
I just want to feel better. I feel very nausous all the time and run to the bathroom quite often with a not so pleasant experience.
Any advice for me?????

[sweetsunshine72]

I would talk again with your endo, and just tell her that you want to TRY it, that you need to know for yourself if it's going to work or not, and if it doesn't, then you will follow her directions to a "T", but you just want to try it for yourself. Let her know that, while you appreciate her expeerience, you've had a lot of feedback about XR working for a lot of people, and that you really want to find a way to make Met work for you. Get REALLY firm with her if you want to!

Now, there ARE some people who DO get worse s/e from XR. Some people also find that it doesn't work as well as the regular version. I think it all depends on your particular body chemistry, which is something you just don't know until you try.

In the meantime, make sure you are waiting at LEAST 2 -3 weeks before trying to ramp up your dosage (so, if you start at 500 mg/day, do that for 2 - 3 weeks before attempting to ramp up, then try 750 mg/day (1 1/2 tablets) for 2 - 3 weeks, then 1,000 mg/day, and so on). Remember to eat low-GI and low-fat, and some people can't tolerate lettuce while on Met.

I hope you find a way to make Met work for you, but some people who are sensitive to it still get a good response from a low dosage. Do what works.

HTH

[soft things]

i couldn't tolerate metformin at all, so far far, now that i am on the XR, i am doing much better, but today is my third day. i only lasted less than a week on the other. i do have diarrhea though. (sorry tmi!) but, i got it at kroger, it is on the $4 scrip list. the lable on the bottle says, metformin er, so it's definately the same thing. i hope this helps, and don't forget about $4 scrips!! kroger, walmart, target and maybe even publix now. i think cvs too!

HTH!

[turtle*in*sun]

Gotta love those $4 Prescriptions...

Even with my insurance my met used to cost me $60 for 3 month, now I do the $4 Walmart and a 3 month supply ends up at $24...Love it!

Glad the met er is working better for you. That's all I've ever been on, so I don't have much to compare it to.

[Snoldy]

I've had both - and definitely won't go back to the regular. Even with XR, I did have some symptoms for a little while as my body adjusted, but it was so much more manageable than with the regular.

Hang in there, but definitely fight to try XR. Also, try taking it with something - my blood sugar drops after taking it, so I've learned to take it with my meals instead of before bed. That's just what works for me. I'm on my way to trying 1500 again, so we'll see how that goes!