Metformin - Time to reach maximum activity?

[Korban]

I am again taking metformin (2x500 mg) at least for now.

Does anyone know how long one must take metformin for it to reach maximum or steady-state activity? I just need an idea such as whether it required hours, days, weeks, or months? I forgot to ask CDE...

I read several metformin links and found no comments on that aspect of the drug.

Your help is much appreciated.

/smile

[Lottadata]

Korban,

I believe that it takes about a week. The washout period for the DPPT study that investigated whether Metformin could prevent prediabetes progressing to diabetes was 2 weeks, so by two weeks they believed that the metformin was no longer impacting blood sugars.

I personally see an immediate impact as soon as I start taking it, with a gradual improvement over the next couple days.

I have had to stop taking it, again, though, because my digestive tract can't handle it any more. I really regret that, as it is so helpful in avoiding weight gain.

[Korban]

Thanks Jenny.

/smile

[eddiemcm]

Metformin ER has maximum concentration in your body in 6
hours and then starts slowly going down.
Regular Metformin reaches peak concentration in 6 hours.
Cheers
Eddie

[Korban]

Thanks Eddie,

I found a blurp elsewhere that said something like 5.5 hours (= 6) but that the action of the metformin lasted much longer and that two of the ER (non-sustained released tablets were really all one needed during the course of a day (night)which is good.

Thus far, on my second day with the metformin, my bg's first thing in the morning are running around 97, 102 which is higher than typical for me (75 - 88). I assume that this will improve because I haven't consciously changed anything else.

/smile

[eddiemcm]

I take 1000mg of Metformin ER at 3AM and 850 mg of regular Metformin 3 hours before dinner-seems to work well.
Eddie