Metformin ER

jennkuk · 03-12-2004, 02:50 PM

I have been taking Glucophage XR for just over a year now and love it! I have had fabulous results and feel like a normal person!
Well, now there is this generic Glucophage XR called Metformin ER. Now, I am all about taking generics. Why pay more for the same drug, right? Well, ever since I have been taking the generic (since my insurance won't pay for the name brand if there is a generic available) I have had severe nausea, diarhea, and my blood sugar has felt out of whack. Haven't felt like that since before Glucophage and I haven't changed anything except going to generic. Am I crazy or are these meds totally different? My pharmacist says they are identical but I'm here to tell ya, it doesn't feel like it. I didn't take my dose last night and I feel much better today. No nausea, no diarrhea, no weird taste in my mouth. My doctor is out today so I have to wait until Monday to talk to her so in the meantime I was hoping I could get some feed back from some of my Cysters.
Thanks so much!!

Booge · 03-12-2004, 09:44 PM

My insurance company just mandated that all scripts be substituted with generics, also. Two months ago I was switched to metformin ER from glucophage XR. I immediately called my friend, who is a pharmacist and he told me that the meds are identical. I had trouble after switching, too. It seemed as though I was starting from square one (after being on gluc. for over 2 years). The symptoms only lasted about three or four days and then I finally felt back to "normal". As normal as a cyster can be, anyway. I would recommend that you speak with your doctor, but he/she may not be able to switch you back to gluc. because of insurance policies. Personally, I'd rather be on met than nothing at all! Since July, 2001 I've lost 50 lbs. and have gone from a size 16 to a size 6 (I'm only 5'1" and could NOT afford to carry 175 lbs.). My goal is to lose another 15, but I'm also comfortable where I am. GOOD LUCK!

Aunt 2 Many · 03-12-2004, 10:04 PM

Hi! I'm not an expert at this, but my husband is a research chemist at a big pharmaceutical company. He has explained to me in the past that generics must have the same active ingredients, however their "delivery vehicle" may (usually is) be different. This affects the way it is absorbed in your body. This can lead to different side effects - good or bad. I too was switched to generic Met, but I had a good side effect - decreased appetite. Hope this helps!

Debi
TTC 3+ Years
MC 3/2003
dx PCOS 10/2003
Met 2000 ER

chelle_belle99504l · 03-12-2004, 10:51 PM

Debi is right, name brand and generic drugs have the exact same active ingredients. The binding agents are different though. Some people have different side affects with different binding agents. You may just have to give it a few days to get past the s/e? I would still call your doc though to make sure it is okay.

Chelle

ShamrockDreams · 03-12-2004, 11:02 PM

My company benefits covers 'generic' prescriptions only as well, unless the doctor specifies 'no substitues' for the name brand.

Maybe you could look into that on your policy to see if that is available.

I know that I will be using the 'no substitutes' with mine when I have this prescribed to me.

Ber22 · 03-13-2004, 01:27 AM

My last prescription for gluc xr was for the 750 mg tablets. When the pharmacy couldn't get it in, they filled it for 500 mg tablets of met er. I checked with the nurse at my dr's office and she said that others have reported more s/e's and they "prefer" the brand name. She stated they would not have approved them substituting the generic. (I ended up with the 750 mg tabs--it's nice to only have to take two instead of three).
HTH!
Ber

IFBPreachersWife · 03-13-2004, 11:14 PM

Jenn,

You have my sympathies. I've been on the ER since Jan and it's been *awful*! I have not adjusted at all to it and it is NOT working! I have an endo appt on Tues and I'm going to ask for a scrip for Gluc XR - no generic. check your insurance policy. If you can possibly switch back, I would. Especially if you don't see marked improvement w/i a few more days.

Zebra · 03-14-2004, 12:39 PM

Hi Jenn,

I too switched from the Gluc XR to Met ER after my first month of being on Gluc. I had only the metallic taste in my mouth after I switched that made me notice the difference (I did not have that on the Gluc), I still had mild GI symptoms when I switched and they did not get worse, but got better after I was on the met ER for another couple of weeks.
Maybe it would help you to treat the switch like starting over, so start with one tablet again and work your way up. Our bodies work in mystirious ways, and each of us react differently. So definitely talk to your endo and see what the answer is. Medicine is always trial and error more than we would want, so maybe the Gluc XR just does work better for you and the "no sub" option is available for you too. Mine would be, but at a higher co-pay, check your insurance.

Good Luck with it either way!!!

AnneJ · 03-14-2004, 03:22 PM

2 months ago I too was switched from Glucophage XR to Met ER. Before switching my periods had become regular and I was feeling good! Since switching, my periods are out of wack again, and I don't feel as good. Could it be changing to Met or do I need an increased dose? I am only on 1000 mg per day.

Thanks!

makeitsomeday · 03-16-2004, 04:19 PM

I was on glucophage, and had terrible side effects, and was prescribed gluocophage XR, but was given ER instead by the pharmacy. I feel better on the ER, but I still have some slight symptoms I don't like; however, they are liveable.

I have a decrease in appetite on ER, and I was thinking about switching to XR on my next precription, but am wondering if I should leave well enough alone. I like having a decrease in appetite; is there anyone else out there that has a decrease in appetite with glucophage XR?

Jenna · 03-20-2004, 10:59 PM

I've noticed too that my periods have been irregular since starting the Met ER 3-4 mo ago. They were like clockwork on the Gluc XR. And I've noticed some stray hairs sprouting on my chin that weren't there before. When I go back to my gyn in May I'm going to go back on the Gluc XR.

StarMaiden · 03-21-2004, 02:37 PM

This evil switch was just made on me without my knowledge too! And I am as furious as I have ever been.

Not only am I having horrible GI side effects, but, and this is the important thing to me.....

Metformin ER is making my blood glucose level swing unacceptably!!!!!!!!! I _AM_ a diabetic, and this is life of death. After six months on Gluc XR, my glucose levels had stabilized and were averaging around 102 beautifully. Since trying this generic, I am having swings that are way out of line!