Metformin: Pharmacist Explains How Metformin Works to Lower Blood Sugar

Learn all you need to know about the medication metformin in this informative video. Discover how metformin works, the best way to take it, and how to manage any side effects.
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Lindsay Dixon is a registered Pharmacist residing in Canada. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Brazil where she specialized in the area of Pharmacotherapy. With over 13 years of experience working in community pharmacy and in community pharmacy management, her passion lies in the areas of preventative medicine, patient-centred care, and public health education.
In addition to being a licensed Pharmacist in the province of British Columbia, Lindsay is also certified Palliative Care through the University of Victoria and became certified in Migraine Care through Migraine Canada in 2023.
Lindsay was the recipient of the Ben Gant Practice Innovation award from the BC Pharmacy Association in 2021 and was most recently selected by Pharmacy Practice & Business Magazine as the recipient of the Raise Your Voice Award in 2022.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 What Metformin is used for
01:02 How Metformin works
01:05 Insulin Resistance Explained Simply
01:52 How metformin reduces blood sugar
02:10 How metformin helps PCOS
02:18 How to take metformin
02:32 Can metformin cause diarrhea? Metformin side effects
03:06 Lactic Acidosis
03:25 Symptoms of lactic acidosis
03:43 Alcohol and Metformin
03:53 Sun sensitivity and metformin (photosensitivity and metformin)
04:18 How to take metformin

[@FriendlyPharmacy5]

Do you have questions about metformin, diabetes, or other medications? Let me know, your question could be the topic of a future video!

[@lindab1859]

Hi Lindsay. Great video. I was surprised to hear you mention B12. One family member just had it added to their medication protocol and a second one was recently tested. We are awaiting the results. As well, I note you mentioned taking Metformin at the supper meal. One member takes it with breakfast, and the other with supper. Next appointment is scheduled for this coming Monday, so I'll ask my husband to check with our family doctor. Take care, and thanks for bringing us the smaller details on medications we thought we knew everything about but didn't!

[@FriendlyPharmacy5]

Linda, thank you for the comment. The reason B12 was mentioned is because in some cases metformin can affect the absorption of B12 so it’s important to keep an eye on this so as not to miss a potential deficiency while taking the medication. There are other causes for B12 deficiency as well, other medications and aging being a couple of these. Metformin once daily extended release is generally taken with dinner though if the patient is unable to tolerate this, it can be moved to another time depending on the situation. Metformin is always recommended to be taken with a meal, and so the twice daily dosing would usually be breakfast and supper, but it always depends on the situation of each individual patient. I hope this helps clarify things a bit!

[@teresacronin5801]

Thank you for this. I knew of this med but had no idea how it works

[@GerbenWulff]

As you note metformin should be prescribed in conjunction with lifestyle changes. With just medication type 2 diabetes is chronic and progressive, which means that metformin can only slow down progression of diabetes. The only way you can heal diabetes is through lifestyle. With proper lifestyle most type 2 diabetics can after some time go without metformin. I feel there is insufficient attention to the lifestyle changes and too much focus on medication that doesn't even stop the disease.

[@FriendlyPharmacy5]

Agree, also too little focus and support when it comes to prevention. More to come on this. Thank you for the comment.

[@Hertz2laugh]

Please pay attention, everyone - she clearly spells out that Type II diabetes is centered around high blood sugar levels and she explains how Metformin is helpful because it addresses high blood sugar levels.
So, the key here is high blood sugar levels.
Do you know there is a free way to reduce your high blood sugar levels?
Yep, all you have to do is not put sugar into your body.
I know, I know, it might seem *_crazy_* that the way to prevent high blood sugar is to not add sugar to your blood, but it works. Trust me.
So, yeah, any food that has carbohydrates has sugar (carbs digest into sugars).
So, if you want to treat your high blood sugars for free, stop eating foods with carbs.
Simple as.
It all starts with high blood sugar.
It all ends with normal, steady blood sugar.
✅ *Eat these foods - no limit* ✅
• Meat (unprocessed) 🍖🍗🥩🥓
• Sea food (unprocessed) 🐟🦀🦞🦐
• Eggs 🥚🍳
• Butter/Ghee 🧈
• Salt 🧂
• Water 💧
⚠️ *Eat only very, very small portions of these foods:* ⚠️
• Dark green vegetables 🥦🥬🥒🧄
• Milk, cream, yogurt 🥛
❌ *Do not eat these foods:* ❌
• Bread, rice, grains, noodles 🍞🥖🍚🍜
• Candies, sweets, sugary drinks, alcohol 🍭🧃🍺
• Sweet vegetables 🥕🥔🌽🫑
• Fruits, fruit juice, honey 🍇🍌🍓🍯
• Seeds, nuts, beans 🫒🥜
📌 All your PCOS and diabetes symptoms will be gone in about one year *_if you keep your daily carbs/sugar below 20g._*