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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Should Metformin Be Taken For Blood Sugar?

My doctor prescribed Invokana 100 mg tablets and Metformin ER 1000mg tablets to take them together to lower my blood sugar. I took them only for about a week and decided to stop taking Metformin. I'm only taking Invokana, for about 6 weekes. Should I start taking them both again.
Fri, 30 May 2014
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns.

In Diabetes, when diagnosed newly, first diet and exercise is tried for 2-3 months. If that doesn't help in controlling, then medications with anti diabetic drugs like in your case is prescribed depending on the sugar levels. Once a particular dose is set to control your sugar levels, then that particular dose is continued until sugar levels are controlled.

When initially started, after week or two when the sugar levels are controlled, you can take treating doctors advice and stop or reduce dose and see. If the sugar levels again bounce back, then no option, you need to continue the medication. Now you check the sugar levels and consulting treating doctor you can decide the dose.

The food and life style changes to follow are:

Small and frequent rather than heavy meals at a time.
High fibre diet, green leafy vegetables, fruit.
Cut down the processed food. White bread, doughnuts, white sugar, pizza should be completely avoided.
A 40 minute physical activity every day like morning walk, evening walk or a visit to the gym or swimming pool.


Hope this guides you. For any other queries you can write to us. we will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Dr Phanindra Dulipala
Diabetologist.
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How Long Should Metformin Be Taken For Blood Sugar?

Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns. In Diabetes, when diagnosed newly, first diet and exercise is tried for 2-3 months. If that doesn t help in controlling, then medications with anti diabetic drugs like in your case is prescribed depending on the sugar levels. Once a particular dose is set to control your sugar levels, then that particular dose is continued until sugar levels are controlled. When initially started, after week or two when the sugar levels are controlled, you can take treating doctors advice and stop or reduce dose and see. If the sugar levels again bounce back, then no option, you need to continue the medication. Now you check the sugar levels and consulting treating doctor you can decide the dose. The food and life style changes to follow are: Small and frequent rather than heavy meals at a time. High fibre diet, green leafy vegetables, fruit. Cut down the processed food. White bread, doughnuts, white sugar, pizza should be completely avoided. A 40 minute physical activity every day like morning walk, evening walk or a visit to the gym or swimming pool. Hope this guides you. For any other queries you can write to us. we will be happy to help you. Thank you. Dr Phanindra Dulipala Diabetologist.