You have type 2 diabetes and started taking Metformin daily. But turns out you start to feel thirsty way too often.

If you are facing dehydration while taking Metformin then don’t worry. It’s a familiar occurrence among people with unstable blood sugar.

You are not alone when you’re wondering “Does Metformin Make You Thirsty?”

Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication which is an SGLT2 inhibitor. This works to reduce blood sugar by pulling it to the kidney. Then it draws out extra water to dilute the urine. If you take Metformin, water gets drawn out of your body which is more than average. Causing your throat or mouth to feel dry.

We have provided all the necessary information on why Metformin makes you thirsty. You will also find ways to fix this feeling of dehydration.

So without further due, let’s hop right in!

So, Does Metformin Make You Feel Thirsty?

Yes, Metformin does make you feel thirsty. Metformin is known to show effects that include dry mouth or dry throat issues.

Most times this happens to people who take Metformin habitually. If you are experiencing dehydration around your mouth while having metformin then you are not alone.

Metformin expands the absorption of glucose by cells. Your blood sugar levels can be in control through the intake of Metformin.

Other diabetes 2 oral medications have also been reported to have this dehydrating feeling as well.

Metformin is a diabetes type 2 medication which controls the levels of glucose and hemoglobin. It’s common for you to feel dehydrated frequently while you take an average dosage of Metformin. 

So, you might be thinking how does Metformin create this dehydrating effect?

Well, do not worry. We have looked for the probable causes behind Metformin making you feel dehydrated.

Keep reading to find out more!

Why Does Metformin Make You Dehydrated?

Metformin users have reported having dry throat or dry mouth when they take Metformin. 

Metformin is a very effective oral medication to reduce blood sugar levels.

This happens as Metformin is a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 or known as an SGLT2 inhibitor. These inhibitors work with the kidney. 

As the blood sugar levels rise in your body your kidney pulls all the sugars back. This then goes back into your urine. 

The kidney then needs to draw more water from your body to dilute your urine.

Metformin has also lowered blood pressure for many people who suffer from high pressure levels. This can even minimize the possibility of you having a heart attack.

Metformin hydrochloride can have this dehydrating effect from drawing out too much water from your body. 

Another reason behind this is Metformin decreases your resistance to insulin. This happens due to Metformin reducing Gluconeogenesis in the liver.

You can check your blood sugar levels with a glucometer. Try to find the accurate result by troubleshooting any metrix errors of the glucometer. 

Your unstable blood sugar levels can sometimes make you feel like you are parched. 

This is a common after effect of taking Metformin. Most people who have reported having this side effect are known to be new to Metformin.

Other long-term users have also experienced the same side effects as well. People who have been taking Metformin at a higher dosage are prone to feeling dehydrated.

Taking Metformin at a higher dosage can sometimes be an issue. 

So, you need to use fix your Metformin dosage as suggested by a doctor. 

How Can You Fix Feeling Like This?

Metformin’s mechanism of action has side effects which can happen because of your blood sugar being unstable. 

If you are always feeling thirsty when taking Metformin then don’t worry. We have provided just the right steps for you to fix this issue. 

You can fix these issues by following the steps given below-

Drink Enough Water and Have A Balanced Diet

This is quite self-explanatory. If you always feel thirsty then try taking small gulps of water every now and then. 

You should also have a balanced diet enriched with fibers. Be mindful of adding other vital nutrients into your diet as well. Include fruits and vegetables to keep your diet balanced. 

Including chia seeds to your diet is a very effective option to diversify your diet.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can reduce your blood sugar levels which can cause dehydration. 

Keep Track of Your Blood Sugar Levels

You should check your blood sugar levels every once in a while. It needs to be normal for you to take a normal dosage of Metformin. 

You should always keep notes of your blood sugar levels. If there are any massive changes to your blood sugar levels then consider changing your Metformin dosage. 

I can recommend you amazing supplements to keep your blood sugar level in check.

Change Your Dosage of Metformin

If you think you always feel thirsty then you need to visit your doctor and talk about lowering your Metformin dosage. 

Suppose, you are currently taking 1000 mg of Metformin daily. Then you need to reduce it to 500 mg.

Your everyday dosage of Metformin should never increase to 2000 mg. 

If you still feel dehydrated after changing your dosage to 500 mg then stop taking Metformin. You should then consult with a doctor about this issue. 

Control Other Drug Intake

Other drugs can sometimes cause Metformin side effects to appear. 

If you use diuretics, corticosteroids or other blood pressure medications then this might create side effects.

Oral contraceptives should also be used with discretion as well.  

Other Reactions of Metformin

Metformin can have some other minor to severe aftermath as well. These side effects are mostly minor and don’t have any serious repercussions.

Metformin can cause nausea or dizziness which has been reported by a lot of its users. Metformin might even induce vomiting in some people.  

Some people have even reported having stomach aches when using Metformin. 

Others have reposted rapid weight loss from taking Metformin.

If you are taking Metformin while having PCOS, after withdrawing you might face abnormal weight gain. This is another side effect of using Metformin having PCOS.

Metformin also has side effects including diarrhea. Metformin is reported to cause loss of appetite to some people. It might even create a metallic taste in your mouth.

You can even find yourself feeling the urge to urinate more. 

Metformin side effects during a pregnancy are very rare. So, Metformin is considered to be harmless during the first few months of a pregnancy. 

While taking Metformin you might find your blood sugar levels unstable. 

Some severe cases of Metformin side effects include feeling extreme drowsiness. Your breathing might even become shallow. 

This is known as lactic acidosis. You might even feel colder and your heartbeat can become very slow. 

If you experience any of these symptoms then stopping your Metformin intake is the wisest decision.

After that, you need to contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

Few people have reported to have an allergic reaction to Metformin. Although it is an unusual case. Anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction to Metformin can arise in some people. 

Metformin Alternatives

You can use Metformin and still get no positive benefits from it. If that’s the case then you might have to switch to a substitute medicine.

If you have an allergic reaction to Metformin then shifting is the best idea. Many people feel better after stopping Metformin. 

You can shift to another SGLT2 inhibitor medicine that can help with your blood sugar levels.

FAQs

Does Metformin Make You Pee More?

No, Metformin does not make you pee more. Diabetes causes your blood sugar levels to spike, so it needs to be controlled. Hypoglycemia can cause excessive pee. But taking Metformin reduces you blood sugar levels. Though many people have reported excessive urge to pee during weeks of Metformin intake.

What Can I Expect After Stopping Metformin With PCOS?

If you have PCOS and withdraw from using Metformin then you might show some side effects. These adverse effects include increased weight gain. Your menstrual cycle may also be affected and become irregular. Another sign of withdrawal from Metformin is having a changed pattern of food intake.

Does Blood Sugar Level Matters While Taking Metformin?

No, blood sugar level does not matter while taking Metformin. If you are taking Metformin as an oral medicine then checking your blood sugar is not necessary. You can rather do an HbA1c test. From this test you can then find out your blood sugar levels. This is based on the previous three months.

End Word

We hope you got to know why does metformin make you thirsty.

We also wish that you found how you can fix your mouth or throat feeling dry. You should always be mindful of your blood sugar levels on Metformin.

Did you know that having grapefruit while taking Metformin can have an adverse reaction?

Wishing you all the best!