AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question Respected Sir,Sir, I am male/51 years and hypertnsive on Tenormin 100 Losartan 100 Amlodepine 10 and Indapamide 1.5 SR I have normal lipids No thyroid. Recently, I had routine check up and my Glucose tolerance test reading :
Fasting-110 Urine sugar-Trace Urine Acetone Nil: After 75 mg glucose orally, Blood sugar after one hour 212 Urine sugar present Acetone bodies-nil Blood sugar after 2 hours 152 Comments IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE. After 2 days, post prandial Blood sugar 108.My dr prescribed Metformin 250 mg once daily.
Can U guide me as to whether metformin is good drug for impaired glucose tolerance ?( pre diabetic stage ? I have been transferred to place 600 kms from my native place
and stay alone. I am extremely worried I am very scared since my mother died at the age of 58 due
to diabetic comaI need your guidance I am obese I
shall be obliged if you can guide me Thanks and regards
Answer Harsvadan
It sounds as though you are boardering on Type 2 (maturity onset) diabetes, commonly associated with obesity.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body is still able to produce insulin, but it becomes less effective. Metformin is an oral medication which promotes better control of blood sugar, but unlike insulin it does not directly decrease blood sugar levels.
The treatment is appropriate for early stage diabetes, where the blood sugar and HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar) levels are high.
My concern however is that the dose of Metformin is unusually low. A typical adult dose is 500mg three times a day, and higher doses may be necessary. I would therefore suggest that you check your prescription with your doctor. 250mg would be half a tablet, and certainly in the UK, the tablets are not scored. There is another oral diabetic drug which does have a dose of 250mg, so there may be some confusion.
