Maria asked
My mother is currently taking Metformin 500, one per day since mid February 2018 and I have noticed her memory is getting worse. She is 90 years old but I think it might be the Metformin from the different articles I have read on this drug. She has allergies to aspirin so some diabetic medications she cannot take. Would taking Metformin in this short of time be effecting her memory this early and what would you recommend?
Answer
Metformin is anti-diabetic medication that works in many ways to lower blood glucose (sugar) by:
- Decreasing the liver's production of glucose.
- Decreasing the absorption of glucose from the intestines/stomach.
- Improving the body's sensitivity to natural and injected insulin (which promotes the body's usage and uptake of glucose to lower blood sugar levels).
Metformin is a first-line medication recommended by the American Diabetes Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinology to treat diabetes mellitus and is often the first medication patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes start taking due to its varied mechanism of action.
It is a generally well-tolerated medication, first approved in 1994, with the most common side effects being:
- Stomach upset and diarrhea (12-50%)
- Nausea
- Flatulence (4-12%)
- Reduced Vitamin B12 levels (7%)
Gastrointestinal side effects including stomach upset and diarrhea can be reduced by taking an extended release (ER) formulation.
Metformin And Memory
Clinical trials evaluating the safety of metformin have reviewed the risk of memory impairment, particularly in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study.
In this 2017 study, participants were randomly assigned to either lifestyle intervention (diet and exercise plan), metformin, or placebo to determine the effects of metformin on brain function. Cognitive assessment tests were given in years 8 and 10 of the study. The researchers found no significant differences in memory or cognitive performance in people taking metformin vs those who were not. No relationship was found between the length of metformin use and cognitive function.
If a patient is experiencing a change in their baseline health or mental status, it s always important to consult a doctor about potential causes. If metformin is suspected, other medications are approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and should be considered. Consult your doctor and/or pharmacist about current medications, health conditions and lab results to determine what other potentially appropriate treatment options may exist.
