Glucophage Side Effects

As with any medication, there are potential Glucophage side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. Most people, however, tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, they are often treated easily. If you experience more serious side effects, such as chest pain, signs of an allergic reaction, or signs of low or high blood sugar, you should report them immediately to your healthcare provider.

 

Glucophage Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Glucophage® (metformin) or Glucophage XR® (metformin ER). However, not everyone who takes Glucophage will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. When Glucophage side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor, meaning they either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(The Glucophage side effects discussed below are not a complete list of the side effects reported with this drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Glucophage Side Effects

Glucophage and Glucophage XR have been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common Glucophage side effects include:
 
  • Diarrhea -- occurring in up to 53.2 percent of people
  • Nausea or vomiting -- in up to 25.5 percent
  • Gas -- in up to 12.1 percent
  • Weakness -- in up to 9.2 percent
  • Indigestion -- in up to 7.1 percent
  • Abdominal discomfort (or stomach discomfort) -- in up to 6.4 percent
  • Headache -- in up to 5.7 percent.
     
Generally, people have fewer side effects when taking the long-acting form (Glucophage XR). Common side effects for Glucophage XR include diarrhea (in up to 9.6 percent of people) and nausea or vomiting (in up to 6.5 percent of people).
 
(Glucophage Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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