If you’ve been type 2 diabetes for some time and have recently been diagnosed, you may be wondering how to get metformin prescription without diabetes. Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for patients with type 2 diabetes. It helps your body better manage blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose your liver produces and increasing the amount that’s released from your muscle cells.
If your doctor has suggested that you take metformin to manage your type 2 diabetes, it’s because studies have shown that this drug can help reduce blood sugar levels and decrease your risk for serious complications in the long term.
You will need to discuss with your doctor what dosage is right for you, so that he or she can write a prescription accordingly.
Keep reading to learn more about how to get metformin prescription without diabetes.
What is metformin?
Metformin is a medication that lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. This medication may decrease the amount of insulin your body produces, or make your body more sensitive to insulin. Metformin is generally safe and effective for most patients with type 2 diabetes, and many health insurance plans will cover the cost of this medication.
Metformin was one of the first diabetes drugs to be discovered. It has been used to treat diabetes since the 1950s and is the most widely-used medication in the world (by number of prescriptions). Metformin is a big part of “”metabolic therapy,”” the standard treatment for type 2 diabetes.
How does metformin work for type 2 diabetes?
Metformin primarily works to reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver. This helps lower blood sugar by reducing the total amount of glucose in the bloodstream. This reduction in glucose also helps insulin work better, which may also help lower blood sugar.
Metformin can also make your cells more responsive to insulin, which may help reduce blood sugar.
Metformin does not decrease insulin resistance per se, but does help decrease blood glucose. The blood glucose reduction helps insulin work better.
Why might your doctor prescribe Metformin?
Metformin is most commonly used in combination with other medications because it is not as effective at lowering blood sugar on its own. However, it is safe and effective for most patients with type 2 diabetes, and is usually prescribed because of the advantages it brings to treatment.
Metformin may be prescribed because:
- You have a history of blood sugar problems.
- You have a high risk for developing complications of diabetes.
- You have a difficult time managing your blood sugar with a different medication.
- You have problems tolerating other diabetes medications.
How to get Metformin Prescription?
If your doctor has recommended metformin to treat your type 2 diabetes, they will need to write you a prescription. Your doctor may ask you to have some blood work done first to make sure that taking metformin is safe and effective for you.
- You will first need to have a blood test to diagnose your diabetes and establish what type it is.
- Your doctor will then go over your medical history, make sure that you are healthy enough to take metformin, and decide what dosage is right for you.
- They may also need to do follow-up blood tests to make sure that metformin is working properly and that you do not have any side effects.
Side effects of Metformin
Side effects are rare, but they may include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- Lactic acidosis
- Liver inflammation
- Muscle weakness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight gain
Bottom line
If you have been type 2 diabetes for some time and have recently been diagnosed, you may be wondering how to get metformin prescription without diabetes. Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for patients with type 2 diabetes. It helps your body better manage blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose your liver produces and increasing the amount that’s released from your muscle cells.
If your doctor has suggested that you take metformin to manage your type 2 diabetes, it’s because studies have shown that this drug can help reduce blood sugar levels and decrease your risk for serious complications in the long term. You will need to discuss with your doctor what dosage is right for you, so that he or she can write a prescription accordingly.
