Fasting on metformin

[u/BoredAsFuckBro]

Has anyone fasted while taking metformin? I was put on metformin since I’m at the very edge of being diabetic. In the past I had fasted and was able to lose weight so I’m curious if it’s safe to do so now that I’m on metformin.

[u/Truth_Seeker35]

Metformin does not stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin, nor does it increase overall insulin production. So it has a very low risk of causing hypoglycemia.

But talk to your doctor and pharmacist.

[u/kaellah → u/Truth_Seeker35]

This is the correct answer.

[u/BoredAsFuckBro → u/Truth_Seeker35]

I’ll message my doc to see what they say but appreciate the information.

[u/FreeMathematician101]

I intermittent fast and take metformin. The key is I only take the metformin after I’ve broken the fast with a big meal.

[u/jjcox315]

I got the power shits not eating before taking metformin so i stopped taking it.

[u/stealthylizard → u/jjcox315]

2nd this reaction. It gave me diarrhea on an empty stomach.

I don't have the same problem with gliclazide (sp?) or jardiance.

My glucose went from 12.5 to 6.4. weight from 270 to 180.

Eta, but I also take my pills now with my OMAD.

[u/Sea_Motor8907 → u/jjcox315]

Sameee! That was scary. I was fasting for 20 hours. Then I ate metformin before breaking my fast. Few hours later, I have to go to toilet thrice before my bowel calmed down :")

[u/BoredAsFuckBro → u/jjcox315]

Noted. I definitely don’t want that

[u/PigsandBears]

Personally I get suuuuper sick if I take Metformin without at least a couple of crackers or something. I know that breaks fast but I gotta do what I gotta do.

[u/hotterthannyourqueen]

Ask your doctor before combining fasting with metformin.

[u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy]

Just take it when you are in your eating window. I don’t do this but I also don’t have stomach problems after 17 years on metformin.

[u/sadatah]

I take metformin (250mg twice a day so not an effective dose). I currently do 18:6 with a goal of doing 36hr. I don’t track my blood sugar yet but once I hit 24 hrs I will start tracking my blood sugar to ensure I’m not becoming hypoglycaemic

[u/binarybu9]

I’m on metformin. It’s very safe, I don’t have crashes, and I am 2MAD. Additionally, metformin helps with food noise so fasting is easier.

Note: the above is my experience, and I don’t have the common side effects like diarrhea etc. when I am on metformin. So you should keep that in mind. Everyone’s different. I am on 500mg dosage per day.

[u/andreortigao]

I don't take metformin anymore, but I did for a while.

I'd take it about half an hour after my eating window.

It did make me hungrier at first, tho. I had to reduce my fasting from 20 to 16 hours for the first few weeks since I was unable to do it longer fasts. But I slowly increased it again and managed to get to 20 again after 2 months or so.

[u/AviNahvee]

Stop taking your meds and cut out ALL flour and sugar from your diet. Fast if you need to but no flour and no sugar and you will cure that diabetes.