Glucophage and metaformin

RachelMeyers · 10-10-2003, 02:24 AM

Are they the same thing? I've just been recently diagnosed w/ PCOS even though for years I've been trying to figure out what is wrong. The doctor prescriped me some glucophage and spiro. I hear more people talk about metaformin and I've looked them up and they always seems to be together. Just wondering. Also, anyone who is on these do a few drinks or actually even getting a little drunk or tipsy every now and then make you feel sick or anything? I know too much can cause liver damage

Thank you.

Rachel Meyers

SheriKCMO · 10-10-2003, 02:37 AM

Hi Rachel,
This question would get lots of answers on the metformin forum, so maybe a kind moderator will move it for us.

Metformin is the generic of Glucophage. Just like ibuprophen is the generic of Advil. Same stuff. Now, some cysters believe that one or the other works better for them, and they have every right to do what they feel is best, but the ingredients are identical. The short version is that metformin improves the action of insulin in the body, eventually lowering the total level of insulin that one carries around and that improves the other hormone levels that excess insulin effects. There's a lot more info on the met forum.

Before you know a lot about your body's response to the drug, I highly recommend following the directions (no alcohol) for a while. Some of us have had a few drinks now and then, and only a few have said that they got sick. Since I've been on low carbs, which is very helpful to the metformin in the body, alcohol has been on my no-no list because of its carb content. I wouldn't have more than a couple of drinks, though, in case the metformin has changed your tolerance. It did mine!

Good luck to you!
Sheri