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Metformin Warning: NHS Urges Immediate Action If You Experience These 2 Life-Threatening Symptoms

metformin warning nhs

The <span>NHS</span> has released an alert for people taking a widely prescribed medication used by millions across the UK. Diabetes rates are at an all-time high, with the latest data showing more than 5.8 million people currently living with the condition. 

Diabetes UK estimates that around 4.6 million people have already been diagnosed. At the same time, close to 1.3 million people are believed to have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it. The number of cases continues to climb, with figures from 2023–24 showing an increase of 185,034 compared to the previous year.

<h2><span rel="noindex">What Is Metformin Used For</span>?</h2>

Metformin is most commonly prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes. It helps lower and stabilise blood sugar levels and is often the first medicine recommended, alongside changes to diet and physical activity. According to Healthline, it is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high. There are three main types. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is usually diagnosed in childhood. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular exercise, and weight loss. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin for life, while many with Type 2 or gestational diabetes may manage their condition through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Metformin Warning</span>: NHS Issues Alert</h2>

The NHS says that people taking metformin should be aware of certain symptoms. Information published on the NHS website lists six common side effects of the medicine. These include:

<ul><li>feeling sick</li><li>being sick</li><li>diarrhoea</li><li>stomach pain</li><li>loss of appetite</li><li>a metallic taste in the mouth</li></ul>

The NHS also notes that metformin can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people may experience low blood sugar, but this usually happens only when metformin is taken alongside other diabetes medicines such as insulin or gliclazide.

However, the NHS warns that there are other, more serious side effects. In two situations, patients are advised to contact their GP “straight away,” while one requires calling 999 “now.”

<h2><span rel="noindex">Metformin Serious Side Effects</span></h2>

According to the NHS, serious side effects are uncommon and affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. However, medical help should be sought immediately by calling a doctor or dialling 111 if:

you feel generally unwell with extreme tiredness, fast or shallow breathing, feeling cold, and a slow heartbeat

the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin becomes yellow, which may be harder to notice on brown or black skin, as this can indicate liver problems

<h2><span rel="noindex">Metformin Serious Allergic Reaction</span></h2>

In rare cases, metformin can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The NHS advises calling 999 immediately if:

<ul><li>your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell</li><li>you are breathing very quickly or struggling to breathe, including wheezing or feeling as though you are choking</li><li>your throat feels tight or you have difficulty swallowing</li><li>your skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale, which may be easier to spot on the palms or soles in people with darker skin</li><li>you suddenly feel confused, very drowsy, or dizzy</li><li>someone collapses and cannot be woken</li><li>a child becomes limp, floppy, or unusually unresponsive, with difficulty holding up their head or focusing</li></ul>

The NHS adds that you or the affected person may also develop a rash that is swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or peeling. These signs point to a serious allergic reaction and may require urgent hospital treatment.

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The NHS has released an alert for people taking a widely prescribed medication used by millions across the UK. Diabetes rates are at an all-time high, with the latest data showing more than 5.8 million people currently living with the condition. Diabetes UK estimates that around 4.6 million people have already been diagnosed. At the same time, close to 1.3 million people are believed to have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it. The number of cases continues to climb, with figures from 2023–24 showing an increase of 185,034 compared to the previous year.What Is Metformin Used For?Metformin is most commonly prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes. It helps lower and stabilise blood sugar levels and is often the first medicine recommended, alongside changes to diet and physical activity. According to Healthline, it is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes.What Is Diabetes?Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high. There are three main types. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is usually diagnosed in childhood. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular exercise, and weight loss. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin for life, while many with Type 2 or gestational diabetes may manage their condition through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.Metformin Warning: NHS Issues AlertThe NHS says that people taking metformin should be aware of certain symptoms. Information published on the NHS website lists six common side effects of the medicine. These include:feeling sickbeing sickdiarrhoeastomach painloss of appetitea metallic taste in the mouthThe NHS also notes that metformin can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people may experience low blood sugar, but this usually happens only when metformin is taken alongside other diabetes medicines such as insulin or gliclazide.However, the NHS warns that there are other, more serious side effects. In two situations, patients are advised to contact their GP “straight away,” while one requires calling 999 “now.”Metformin Serious Side EffectsAccording to the NHS, serious side effects are uncommon and affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. However, medical help should be sought immediately by calling a doctor or dialling 111 if:you feel generally unwell with extreme tiredness, fast or shallow breathing, feeling cold, and a slow heartbeatthe whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin becomes yellow, which may be harder to notice on brown or black skin, as this can indicate liver problemsMetformin Serious Allergic ReactionIn rare cases, metformin can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The NHS advises calling 999 immediately if:your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swellyou are breathing very quickly or struggling to breathe, including wheezing or feeling as though you are chokingyour throat feels tight or you have difficulty swallowingyour skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale, which may be easier to spot on the palms or soles in people with darker skinyou suddenly feel confused, very drowsy, or dizzysomeone collapses and cannot be wokena child becomes limp, floppy, or unusually unresponsive, with difficulty holding up their head or focusingThe NHS adds that you or the affected person may also develop a rash that is swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or peeling. These signs point to a serious allergic reaction and may require urgent hospital treatment.

metformin warning: nhs urges immediate action if you experience these 2 life-threatening symptoms

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Metformin Warning: NHS Urges Immediate Action If You Experience These 2 Life-Threatening Symptoms

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