NHS pharmacy tells people using metformin for diabetes 'it's effective but not without side effects'

NHS pharmacy tells people using metformin for diabetes 'it's effective but not without side effects' More than three million people in the UK are prescribed metformin to lower blood sugar More than six million people across the UK are living with diabetes, with most formally diagnosed and being treated for the condition. Diabetes UK figures show 4.7 million people are known to have the blood sugar disorder with many taking medication to tackle it. However some diabetes drugs can affect a patient's weight. Some GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide, were intially developed for diabetes but were found to be so successful at losing weight they are also now prescribed to help people tackle obesity. Others are thought to encourage weight gain, including insulin, and with weight being a factor in some diabetes cases, this can be off-putting to patients. But now a pharmacy has turned to social media to explain to people that the leading diabetes drug does not cause people to gain weight, although it can have other side effects. More than 26 million prescriptions for metformin are dispensed to around three million patients in a year to treat the blood sugar disorder. Posting on TikTok, Oakleigh Pharmacy, which is an NHS community pharmacy, said: "Did you know there's a pill that can lower your blood sugar without causing weight gain, and it's been around for ages? "This is metformin, and it's one of the most common medicines used to treat type two diabetes. Works by helping your body use insulin better and stopping your liver from making too much sugar, it's also used off-label for conditions like PCOS. It's effective and usually well tolerated, but it's not without side effects like stomach upset or rarely B12 deficiency." Followers had mixed reactions with some saying they suffered other side effects while some backed the news. One wrote: "I take it and it really helps me with not binge eating. I can finally eat a meal without thinking about the next meal." However, Rhonda said: "It doesn't stop me from putting weight on. while Gemma said: "I'm on metformin and no side effects and my bloods doing good. but I've done my own research and eating good stuff. I'm hoping I don't get any problems." Others commented that metformin had affected their B12. Earlier this month a pharmacist took to the social media platform to share details of the side effect of taking metformin Raj R Patel said up to one in 10 people can be affected by vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of taking the medication but this is often easily missed as being just part of their diabetes. In his post the pharmacist said: "If you take metformin and develop new tiredness, weakness or pins and needles, don’t automatically assume it is your diabetes or simply getting older. "There is another possibility worth checking: vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin is an important and effective treatment for type 2 diabetes. It can improve blood glucose while, in some people, gradually reducing the amount of vitamin B12 available to the body. "The MHRA now classifies reduced vitamin B12 levels or B12 deficiency as a common side effect of metformin, potentially affecting up to 1 in 10 people. The likelihood increases with higher metformin doses, longer treatment duration and existing risk factors for B12 deficiency." [Image text:] 500 Metformin :mg Tablets ALMUSC 28 Tablets 500 Metformin Hydroch onde 500 mg film-coat Bablets SZ24501CN01A 0863 SANDOZ Metformin Hydroc zLd SZ24501CN01A